Final answer:
During the Plains cultures' Sun Dance, it was believed that touching the central Tree of Life first was a significant act of self-sacrifice to thank or petition the supernatural for the good of the tribe, leading to world renewal and personal honor.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the Plains cultures and their religious ceremonies, one notable rite was the Sun Dance. During the Sun Dance, the large structure erected featured a central pole, representing the Tree of Life, which held a significant place in the ceremony. Participants believed that engaging in acts of self-sacrifice, such as piercing the skin and attaching themselves to the Tree of Life, was a way to give thanks, pray, and renew the world. This sacrifice was thought to help thank or petition the supernatural, and the one sponsoring the Sun Dance would often be the first to touch the sacred tree. Doing so was seen as an act of ultimate sacrifice for the benefit of the tribe, and the physical scars afterward were a mark of honor and service. At the end of the ceremony, when the individual's strength was gone, it symbolized the renewal and replenishment of the world.