The primary function of these "medicine men" (who are not always male) is to secure the help of the spirit world, including the Great Spirit (Wakan Tanka in the language of the Lakota Sioux), for the benefit of the community. In Lakota traditions, Wakan Tanka is a term for "The Great Spirit" which resides in every thing, similar to many notions of God. Every creature and object has a wakan, such as wakan tanka kin, the wakan of the sun. In early times, Medicine Masks similar to these were created by the Native American Indian Medicine Man, reflecting the esssence of an invisioned spirit or guide.