Navajo Sand Painting The Art of Healing

Healing Created for the purpose of healing the sick Healers and shamans draw on symbolism passed through generations Used to return the patient symbolically to the source of tribal energy Iikaah- Navajo word for sand painting, meaning “a place where the gods come and go.” Believed that sand paintings allow the patient to absorb the powers depicted in the grains of sand

Materials Used Dry sand mixed with natural pigments from: Dry sand mixed with natural pigments from: Crushed stone Crushed stone Crushed flowers Crushed flowers Pollen from plants Pollen from plants Colored sandstone (mostly red, brown and yellow) Colored sandstone (mostly red, brown and yellow) Crushed charcoal (black) Crushed charcoal (black) Yellow cornmeal Yellow cornmeal

Process of Making Most are created on the ground, although some are created to hang on walls Most are created on the ground, although some are created to hang on walls After mixing together pigments they sprinkle dry sand onto a board or the ground making a design After mixing together pigments they sprinkle dry sand onto a board or the ground making a design

Examples

Navajo Baskets

Baskets Important for utility as well as religious value Important for utility as well as religious value While weaving reed into a beautiful design, the Navajo basket maker strives for balance, harmony, beauty, and order While weaving reed into a beautiful design, the Navajo basket maker strives for balance, harmony, beauty, and order Basket makers strive to be in hozho, which is a striving for balance and harmony in life between good and evil, disease and health Basket makers strive to be in hozho, which is a striving for balance and harmony in life between good and evil, disease and health

Examples