Final answer:
A dream catcher is a tool used in Native American culture to protect the sleeper from bad dreams by trapping them, permitting only good dreams to pass through. They are rooted in the spiritual practices of the Ojibwa people and have been widely adopted as decorations.
Step-by-step explanation:
A dream catcher is traditionally understood as c) A tool used to trap bad dreams and allow good dreams. Dream catchers originate from Native American culture, particularly the Ojibwa or Chippewa people. They are hand-woven items made from a willow hoop on which is woven a net or web, and it may include sacred items such as feathers or beads. This cultural artifact is meant to protect the sleeper from bad dreams by trapping them in the web, while good dreams are able to pass through and slide down the feathers to the sleeper.
Native American cultures have a rich tradition of placing significant meaning on dreams, such as the Ojibwa's visionary dreams that were considered spiritual communications. Symbols such as animals often appear in these dreams, carrying deep cultural wisdom and instruction. The Anishinaabe used totem animals as a system of identity and kinship, further illustrating the cultural importance of natural symbols in Native American societies.
While the primary understanding of dream catchers is spiritual and protective, they have also been adopted widely as b) a decoration often associated with bohemian style. Their aesthetic qualities have made them popular in a variety of home decors, often disconnected from their original cultural significance.