Navajo Sandpaintings

    The sacred art form of Navajo sandpainting can be seen as a representation of the mythology of the Navajo People. Each sandpainting represents a specific story, usually portraying a human protagonist as well as the Holy People he meets along the way.[1] They involve the use of specific symbols and themes that are difficult to interpret unless one knows how to read a sandpainting. One of the main uses for sandpaintings is for healing ceremonies.

   Using a background of tan colored sand, that has be smoothed with a weaving batten, one trickles dry pigments (red, yellow, white, and black) from between the thumb and forefinger in a particular pattern. Sandstone is used for the red, yellow, and white pigments; charcoal for the black. Mixing of colors to create blue, brown and pink occurs as well. With a singer present to draw out the beginning lines, any able male can help in the creation of a sandpainting. However, women may not participate for fear of injury by the supernatural powers. Made from memory, it takes about four to six men to make a sandpainting. They are made from memory because when they Holy People taught the humans the myths and how to make the corresponding sandpaintings they forbade the permanent reproduction of sandpaintings so they would not be damaged. [2]

    One of the most important figures used in sandpainting is that of Father Sky and Mother Earth. These figure can be found in most ceremonies of the Navajo as they are the first creation of the Great Spirit. [3] Father Sky is to the left, Mother Earth, the right. This painting alone contains a number of symbols. The union of heaven and earth is symbolized with the crossing of their hands and feet, and bound for eternity by the Rainbow Guardian found on three sides on the painting. Generally the Rainbow Guardian is represented with five white and five black lines at each extremity, (symbolizing: night and day, good and evil, man and woman, dark and light, positive and negative, birth and death, etc.). No matter what the situation (to cure a patient, or save a poor crop) one has to have a "harmonious rhythm with all unknown forces." [4] The four dots represent divisions of four, the four corners of the earth, the four pivotal points on a compass, the four sacred elements, the four seasons, and the four ages of man (infancy, youth, maturity, transition). The body of Father Sky contains the moon and constellations, sometimes the face of the sun is included as well. Mother Earth's body holds the four sacred plants, corn, beans, squash, and tobacco, as she is the Mother of all things and from whence all things grow. The bat (depicted in this representation as a medicine bag and small rug) guards the painting at its opening. It is the sacred messenger of the spirit of the night. The medicine pouch also signifies the power to heal using the constellations. [5]

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