Dreamcatchers are a common sighting in Muggle's car rearview mirrors and in cheap souvenir shops. They have a long history originating in the Ojibwe tribe, although many other tribes also have legends about dreamcatchers. According to the legend, a mystical Spider Woman was the spiritual protector of the tribe. As the tribe grew and spread across the land, the Spider Woman could not protect everyone, so she created the dreamcatcher to look after the tribe as they migrated. The tradition continued, and maternal figures create dreamcatchers to protect their children.

Authentic dreamcatchers are talisman that are made to protect children from nightmares as they sleep. The shape and material of the dreamcatcher are very important to their meaning. The circular shape is related to astronomy, more specifically the movement of the moon and sun. The netting inside of the "Sacred Hoop" catches the bad dreams, and symbolizes the spider's web. Authentic dreamcatchers are also adorned with feathers and beads, which have multiple meanings related to the dreamcatcher's protective powers.

Finding an authentic handmade, protective dreamcatcher is difficult nowadays however, because it has been commercialized. Rather than being a symbol of maternal protection, they have become a symbol of cultural appropriation.