The Traditional Native American Pipe is symbolic of the Sacred Walk.  This Sacred Path was followed by a worthy individual, the pipe carrier, who walked a straight and narrow road. and also served as a protector of the people.  This required discipline and integrity, but was done mainly for the love of his people. 

The bowl of the pipe is made of red earth stone, which signifies man.  Oftentimes, a buffalo is carved from the red stone and eagle feathers dangle from the pipe to honor the relationship between man the four legged and the eagle.  The stem of the pipe is the sacred path itself and the fire that lights the sacred tobacco signifies the Creator.  Like the Creator the fire burns from within, and the smoke it creates is carried up to the heavens.  The Pipe is sacred, and we can all live by its values. 

"A basic understanding from which we can start our dialogue is that tobacco can both give life and take life. It is a very powerful, potent, and magical being whose physical properties can cause great harm when abused. The flip side...is that tobacco can also provide great healing when not abused. Of all the contributions Native Americans have given the world, tobacco is probably the best known. However, when most people think of tobacco today, they don't consider the depths of its story...a great many of our people have become habituated to the nicotine contained in this plant (and those imparted from other hemispheres). This should be of great concern to us all, because we are connected to each other; what affects one affects us all."

Weighell, Your Life is Our Future, 2000.