Pronunciation: [ɡɹˈe͡ɪt lˈɔː] (IPA) 
The phrase "Great Law" is spelled as /ɡreɪt lɔː/. The "G" in "Great" is pronounced with a hard "g" sound, followed by the long "a" sound. The "L" in both "Great" and "Law" is pronounced with a clear "L" sound. The "aw" in "Law" is pronounced with a long "o" sound, followed by a "w" sound. Together, these sounds create the phonetic transcription of the phrase "Great Law."
Great Law refers to the fundamental legal and moral principles that govern a society, most commonly associated with the Iroquois Confederacy. The Great Law serves as the constitution or guiding framework for the social, political, and spiritual organization of the Iroquois people, emphasizing justice, equity, and the well-being of the community.
Being a significant part of their cultural heritage, the Great Law is a combination of oral tradition and written principles. It encompasses a comprehensive set of rules dictating the behavior and responsibilities of individuals within the community. The key principles of the Great Law include peace, righteousness, power, and health.
One of the notable features of the Great Law is the emphasis on democratic decision-making. Governance is based on participatory democracy, where representatives from each tribe or nation collectively make decisions through discussions and consensus-building. The Great Law establishes a balance of power among the tribes and promotes the equal and fair treatment of all members.
The Great Law also outlines the values of respect, reciprocity, and interdependence among individuals and nations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining harmony with the natural world. Sustainability and environmental stewardship are integral elements of this legal framework.
Overall, the Great Law serves as a blueprint for building and maintaining a just and harmonious society, emphasizing communal well-being and fostering a sense of unity among the Iroquois people. The enduring influence of the Great Law can be seen in the continuing governance structures and cultural practices of the Iroquois Confederacy.
The word "Great Law" does not have a direct etymology since it is a combination of two separate words, "great" and "law". However, we can explore the etymology of each word individually:
1. Great: The word "great" originates from the Old English word "grēat", which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "grōtaz". This Proto-Germanic root also gave rise to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as "groß" in German and "groot" in Dutch. Ultimately, the word can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*ghrew-", meaning "to thicken, grow".
2. Law: The word "law" comes from the Old English word "lagu", which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*lagą".
