Authentic Navajo Sandpainting
5" x 5" solid wood frame. 3" x 3" Sandpainting
This Sandpainting was created by Glen Nez from Shiprock New Mexico
Sandpainting originates from Navajo healing ceremonies. They are very detailed and colorful, and each figure carries a special meaning. The designs are of many subjects familiar to the Navajo people. The most common figures in Sand Paintings are Ye'is, or Navajo holy people. Another frequently used design is the four sacred plants which are corn, beans, squash, and tobacco. Other designs may be animals, plants, rainbows, lightening, or bows and arrows.
Artistic Sand Paintings feature many of the Navajo symbols and are permanently affixed on wood. They are created using various colors of crushed rock, crushed flowers, pollen, cornmeal, charcoal for black, or other natural materials. The "sand" is sealed in place and is quite durable.
Some of the elements from the traditional ceremonies may be present in the artistic sand paintings, but are incomplete or created in such a way that show no disrespect to the Navajo beliefs. They are created as unique objects of art.
The Navajo name for sandpainting is "Iikááh", and means "where the Holy People come and go".