The interpretation is vague, but could not be otherwise explained. The lines from the ears denote hearing.
They, the Midē' friends, have paid enough.
The arm in the attitude of giving, to Ki'tshi Man'idō, signifies that the Midē' have made presents of sufficient value to be enabled to possess the secrets, which they received in return.
The arms of Ki'tshi Man'idō are extended to the Midē' lodge, giving assistance as besought.
The song mnemonically represented in Pl. XVIII A (reproduced from Pl. X A. of the Seventh Ann. Rep. Bur. of Ethn.) is sung by the Ojibwa preceptor who has been instructing the candidate for initiation. It praises the preceptor’s efforts and the character of the knowledge he has imparted. Its delivery is made to extend over as much time as possible.
[Illustration: BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY TENTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XVIII
The mnemonic characters were drawn by Sikas'sigĕ, and are a copy of an old birchbark scroll, which has for many years been in his possession, and which was a transcript of one in the possession of his father Baiédzĭk, one of the leading Midē' at Mille Lacs, Minnesota.
My arm is almost pulled out with digging medicine. It is full of medicine.
The short zigzag lines signifying magic influence, erroneously designated “medicine.”
Almost crying because the medicine is lost.
The lines extending downward from the eye signify weeping; the circle beneath the figure, the place where the “medicine” is supposed to exist. The idea of “lost” signifies that some information has been forgotten through death of those who possessed it.
Yes, there is much medicine you may cry for.
Refers to that which is yet to be taught.
The Midē' has knowledge of more than he has imparted, but reserves that knowledge for a future time. The lines of “sight” run to various medicines which he perceives or knows of.
When the otter-skin Midē' sack is produced the sky becomes clear, so that the ceremonies may proceed.
The Midē' sits on a mountain the better to commune with the good Man'idō.
The Midē' Man'idō, the Thunderer, after bringing some of the plants--by causing the rains to fall--returns to the sky. The short line represents part of the circular line usually employed to designate the imaginary vault of the sky.