Archive for February, 2008
Sand-Paintings Color Symbolism
Although the colors were reversed in this small sandpainting to fit in with the hatali’s songs, the usual symbolism as shown in other pictures is quite the opposite. The east is white, the south is blue, the west is yellow, and the north black; but the order of the songs to be sung determines the […]
Posted: February 22nd, 2008 under Navajo Mythology, Navajo Culture, Navajo Art.
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Sand-Paintings And Kaytahns
THE origin of sand-paintings, or dry-paintings as Washington Matthews calls them, is shrouded in the mists of the past. In 1880, a Mexican captive who had been reared among the Navajos said to Matthews:
‘The Indians make figures of all their devils, sir.’
It was this hint which led to the discovery of their drypaintings, unsuspected until […]
Posted: February 12th, 2008 under Navajo Culture, Navajo Art.
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The Purpose And Function Of Sand-Paintings
This is a difficult subject on which to get information, as the medicine-men are very reluctant to explain, but the primary purpose of a sand-painting is to summon the spirits of the gods. If a sick man dreams more than once about seeing a snake or a bear or a Yeibitchai, he goes to a […]
Posted: February 11th, 2008 under Uncategorized.
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