A vision quest is an Indigenous North American spiritual rite traditionally described as a solitary quest for guidance and a vision.
In broad descriptions, a participant withdraws from ordinary community life for a period of prayer, fasting, solitude, and attention to the natural world. The purpose may include seeking spiritual direction, receiving a personal guardian or calling, or marking an important life transition. Details vary greatly among Indigenous nations and should not be treated as universal.
The English phrase “vision quest” is a general label applied to practices with different names, rules, and meanings in particular cultures. Some traditions are associated with adolescence or preparation for adult responsibilities, while others involve healing, leadership, or individual spiritual needs.
A vision quest is distinct from the Sun Dance, a major communal ceremony practiced by several Plains peoples, and from a potlatch, a ceremonial gathering centered on redistribution, status, and social relationships. Outsiders should avoid treating any one description as representative of all Indigenous communities.