Editing Iktomi (section)

==Interpretations==
The tales of Iktómi's propensity for mischief leads many without a full understanding of [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] [[mythology]] to believe that he is an evil figure. However, it is not quite that simple.  Iktómi can be seen as both good and bad, and has been portrayed in both ways. Many other Native American [[trickster]]s, like [[Coyote (mythology)|Mica]] ([[Coyote in mythology|Coyote]]) are often victims of the same misconception. Despite Lakota not expressing [[hysteria]] or extreme fear towards Iktómi, generally he is viewed as a being whose gaze is to be avoided, lest trouble find you.

The picture of a spider, of Iktómi, could be used as love magic: by it, the souls of a boy and a girl could be caught and connected. In this case they cannot escape meeting and falling in love.<ref>Lame Deer, Seeker of Visions, by Richard Erdoes and John (Fire) Lame Deer, 1994</ref> Lame Deer tells a story in which Iktómi saw a group of ducks. He wanted to eat them and that is why he lied that his bag is full of pou-wow songs. The ducks asked him to sing some of them. He agrees, but only if they close their eyes. So he started killing them, while some realized what was happening. Iktómi, says Lame Deer, is like those of the politicians who make us close our eyes, sing and dance for them while they hit us on the head.<ref>Lame Deer, Seeker of Visions, by Richard Erdoes and John (Fire) Lame Deer, 1994</ref> 

Because the Lakota mythology is word of mouth, and traditionally there were no written records, most of the information about Iktómi in Lakota mythology has not been written down or recorded. He has lived on in the retelling of tales and the religious traditions which are passed on from generation to generation, into the modern day.