Suncatcher History & Significance

From Indigenous teachings to the development of glassmaking, suncatchers carry significance across cultures and have a rich history!

They can vary in materials and size, but are all meant to illuminate spaces, drawing in the light and energy of our powerful sun. As sunlight hits, the suncatcher reflects colorful hues and patterns throughout the space.

As the Ojibwa people living on Turtle Island grew and dispersed, they believed that a spirit named Asibikaashi (Spider Woman) created the suncatcher to bring sunlight to all of her people that now covered wide distances of land. Legend says that Asibikaashi placed the sun in the sky each morning, so she needed to find a way to bring light despite the distance. Similarly to dreamcatchers, suncatchers are also said to burn away bad dreams with the power and positivity of sunlight.

Glassmakers from ancient cultures developed intricate techniques for creating colorful glassware and stained-glass. This movement of using glass in art included the development of suncatcher-type designs. Some examples are found in decorative glass art from the Han dynasty, Islamic architecture and art during the 7th to 14th centuries, and the popularization of stained-glass in Europe during the Middle Ages.

Suncatchers can carry a variety of significance and power depending on what colors and materials are used, just like the metaphysical properties of crystals.

At Sagrada, we work with Laurainbo Crystals, a local business who’s been making suncatchers with her family since 1984. These beautiful pieces are made to last a lifetime and inspire joy, healing, luck, and good Feng Shui.

Laurainbo Crystals is an independent, woman-owned and operated company, providing handcrafted hanging beaded Swarovski crystals. From her studio in Berkeley, California, Lauraine procures the rare crystal prisms and embellishes them with either elegant crystal beads, rainbow beads or other original seed bead patterns, turning each piece into a unique work of art.