North America Star lore of the Navajo

The Navajo are one of the largest Native American Nations in the United States, traditionally living in the Four Corners area of the American west. Most of the star lore presented in this section is based on Nancy C. Maryboy's excellent work Navajo Skies. Nancy C. Maryboy, Ph.D. of the Indigenous Education Institute writes: Navajo astronomy is little known, even among the Navajos. ... Navajo star knowledge is based on a world view and cosmology significantly different from western academic astronomy. Navajo astronomy can best be understood within a much larger context of Navajo philosophy. Navajo Skies, which is quoted extensively on this site, is a comprehensive listing of Navajo constellations. The constellations are listed in order of their importance in Navajo Mythology. Most of the Navajo constellations are identified by their modern astronomy equivalents. For some of them, however, only a vage location (like "northern sky") is given.

Diné Universe © 2006 World Hope Foundation Source: grandcanyon.org

Nancy C. Maryboy explains that this was done "... in accordance with the desires of Navajo ceremonial practitioners and elders who wish the actual locations to remain anonymous in order to protect traditional knowledge."

Nancy C. Maryboy explains: There are eight main Navajo constellations, paired into twos, which are traditionally ordered in sequence. When one talks about these main constellations, one traditionally follows this order, beginning with the North Star (Náhookòs Bikò‘) and ending with the Milky Way (Yikáísdáhá). According to Navajo tradition the three Náhookòs constellations are not considered to be separate but rather as one complete constellation.

Náhookòs Bikò‘ The North Star, called Náhookòs Bikò‘, the Central Fire, depicts the central fire of a hogan, a Navajo home. This star never moves and thus provides stability to the cosmic home. The constellation is the cen-tral light and eternal fire that brings comfort to the home. It also represents human consciousness. This star provides the relationship that unites the two other Náhookòs constellations into one. The star gives centrality, balance and guidance to all other stars in the sky. It provides dynamic stability within the cosmic process as a star that appears stationary, not wandering. All ceremonial songs of the Navajo start with Náhookòs Bikò‘. Sources: Navajo Skies, grandcanyon.org

Náhookòs Bikò‘ © Melvin Bainbridge

Náhookòs Bi’kà’ The stars of the Big Dipper, called Náhookòs Bi’kà’, the Male Revolving One, can be culturally seen as a male warrior, a leader who protects his people. He is sympathetic and charismatic, as well as a provider for his family and home. As a father he provides spiritual and physical protection to his family. The term Náhookòs refers to the double motion of the constellation as it revolves around the north star, while rotating at the same time. This constellation is always paired with a female counterpart, Náhookòs Bi’áád (Cassiopeia) in a relationship of complementarity. Sources: Navajo Skies, grandcanyon.org, Navajo Constellations

Náhookòs Bi’kà’ © Melvin Bainbridge

Náhookòs Bi’áád In Navajo astronomy, the stars of Cassiopeia form the constellation Náhookòs Bi’áád, the Female Revolving One. This constellation is the female partner of Náhookòs Bi’kà’. She is a woman who exemplifies motherhood and regeneration. She provides growth, stability in the home and the strength necessary for harmony. Instead of a bow and arrow, her weapons are her grinding stone and stirring sticks, which ensure that she will always be able to feed her family. Sources: Navajo Skies, grandcanyon.org, Navajo Constellations

Náhookòs Bi’áád © Melvin Bainbridge

Dilyéhé The Navajo call the Pleiades Dilyéhé, meaning "Pinlike Sparkles" or "Planting Stars." Dilyéhé is a constellation of timekeeping and planting for the Navajo people. It is said "don’t let Dilyéhé see you plant your seeds." This comment refers to the Pleiades' disappearance in the western horizon in the evening in May and reappearance as the helical rise in the morning in the latter part of June or the first part of July. If corn seeds are planted too early they will be destroyed in a late frost. If they are planted too late, the corn will not ripen before the first frost of autumn. Thus the seasonal cycle of Pleiades was of vital importance.

Dilyéhé © Melvin Bainbridge

A number of other stories relate to the Pleiades as seven children or young men.

One story tells of seven mischievous young boys who follow the ones who plant too late and snatch the seeds out of the ground. Another story refers to a group of boys followed by a woman with a buckskin slung over her back. When the group goes over a hill, they are no longer seen in the night sky. This is when the Pleiades disappear in early May. Yet Another story talks of the Béésh Ashiké, the Hard Flint Boys - young warriors who are also healers in one of the traditional cultural summer ceremonies. Other stories refer to the stars as a family: grandparents, parents, kids, and grandchil-dren, representative of the seeds of generations and regeneration. Incorporated in these stories are principles and values of traditional child rearing.

Béésh Ashiké © Melvin Bainbridge

It is also said that when some of the Holy People were coming to this world by a rainbow, these were children that were too busy playing and got left in the sky. These children represent youth. Sources: Navajo Skies, grandcanyon.org, Navajo Constellations Haashch’éshzhiní In the Navajo creation story, Dilyéhé was the first constellation placed in the sky by Haashch’éshzhiní, Black God. When Black God entered the hogan of creation, the Pleiades were on his ankle; he stamped his foot and they moved to his knee, then to his ankle, then to his shoulder, and finally to his left temple. Sources: Wikipedia, Teresa M. Schulz: Mask of the Black God

Haashch’éshzhiní © Melvin Bainbridge

Átsé Ets’óz The Navajo add another facet to the world-wide picture of Orion as the big hunter. The costellation is depicted as Átsé Ets’óz, First Slender One - a young man in the prime of life. He carries a bow and arrow and is a warrior protecting his people. Like Dilyéhé, this constellation is related to planting and is seen every season except for part of the summer. Átsé Ets’óz is often spoken of as the son-in-law to Átsé Etsoh, which includes part of the constellation Scorpius. In accordance with Navajo tradition of mother-in-laws and son-in-laws not meeting or speaking, Átsé Ets’ósí and Átsé Etsoh are never seen in the sky at the same time. Sources: Navajo Skies, grandcanyon.org, Navajo Astronomy Legends of Orion and Scorpius representing antagonistic characters that can never be seen together in the sky are also part of Greek and Chinese mythology.

Átsé Ets’óz © Melvin Bainbridge

Hastiin Sik’aí’ií Hastiin Sik’aí’ií means "Man with a Firm Stance with Legs Ajar", or, more simple "Squatting Man." The constellation is representative of solidarity, strength and the continuity of cycles. At the same time it stands for the parting of the seasons between summer and winter. The constellation emerges in early October as Ghaají, the parting of seasons between hot and cold, and is fully manifest in November. It is an indicator that the major winter ceremonies can begin. This constellation includes the Greek constellation Corvus, but in Navajo cosmology it is much larger, containing a total of 32 stars, including stars from the constellation Hydra, and the star Spica in the constellation Virgo. Sources: Navajo Skies, grandcanyon.org, Navajo Astronomy

Hastiin Sik’aí’ií © Melvin Bainbridge

Átsé Etsoh The constellation Átsé Etsoh, First Big One, depicts an elderly man with a cane and a basket of seeds. He rep-resents the wisdom of the elders and the concept of Sá'áh Naagháii Bik'éh Hózhóón, the concept that "with old age comes happiness or contentment." His a cane provides strength and stability. The basket signifies the entire cosmos and regeneration. Átsé Etsoh represents the wisdom and knowledge that come with old age. He is depicted as an elder, strong in assurance and the stability of life. The constellation is located in the upper part of the Greek constellation Scorpius and includes stars of Sagittarius and Libra. Antares (α Sco), the bright, reddish star in the constellation Scorpius is considered the heart of Átsé Etsoh. Sources: Navajo Skies, grandcanyon.org, Navajo Astronomy

Átsé Etsoh © Melvin Bainbridge

Gah Hahat’ee The "Tail" of the Scorpion, consisting of λ, κ, υ and ι1Scorpii is called Gah Haat'e'ii, the "Rabbit Tracks." Navajo hunters used these stars to determine when the traditional hunting season would begin. As long as the "Rabit Tracks" remained up right in one position, young deer still depended on their mothers for nourishment and thus, deer were not hunted. on their mothers for nourishment. Only when ste stars tips to the east, it was deer hunting season. Sources: Navajo Skies, grandcanyon.org, Navajo Astronomy

Gah Haat'e'ii - Rabbit Tracks

Yikáísdáhá Yikáísdáhá, That Which Awaits the Dawn, is related to the annual Milky Way process. The emergence of pre-dawn is determined by the position of the Milky Way that changes with the nights, months and seasons. Yikáísdáhá can be experienced by the full cyclical emergence of the Milky Way in the early pre-dawn hours of mid January. It is during this time the full circle of the Milky Way aligns with the horizon. Thus, a person can observe the full Milky Way in every direction, as it lays on the horizon in a circle. The Milky Way is depicted in Navajo sandpaintings as a crosshatched line, indicating the changes of its position in the night sky, from one side to another. Yikáísdáhá is the last of the eight main constellations and signifies completeness and wholeness. Sources: Navajo Skies, grandcanyon.org,

Yikáísdáhá © Melvin Bainbridge Milky Way in a Navajo Sandpainting © Joe Ben

The Chinle Unified School District near Canyon de Chelly published a set of cards and posters, depicting the main constellations of the Navajo. The images can be seen here.

Gah Hahat’ee

Náhookòs Bi’kà’

Náhookòs Bikò‘s

Náhookòs Bi’áád

Dilyéhé

Átsé Ets’ózí

Hastiin Sik’aí’ií

Átsé Etsoh

Ma’ii Bizò Ma’ii or Coyote took part in the naming and placing of the star constellations during the Creation. He placed one star directly south, naming it after himself, Ma’ii Bizò‘, the Coyote Star. This star is Canopus, which from Navajo land appears to be directly south on the horizon. The visible path of Canopus is of very short duration because its position is due south. It comes out and goes down in a semicircular path, as observed from Navajo country. It can be seen from Navajo land in late December near the date of the winter solstice, around midnight. Sources: Navajo Skies, grandcanyon.org The trickster, Ma’ii, or Coyote, is often credited with creating chaos, thus creating a larger order in the universe. One story goes this way: Long ago the Holy Beings were creating precise constellation forms out of crystals, which were stars. Hashch’éshjhiní, Black God, was carefully placing each star with a purpose and location in the Upper Darkness, which we call sky. He created Náhookòs Bi’kà’ and Náhookòs Bi’áád and placed them in the Upper Darkness. He then placed Dilyéhé and Átse’ Ets’ózí, then others. Pretty soon, Coyote came along and asked what they were doing. In many stories the Coyote’s curiosity leads him into trouble. The Holy Beings replied that they were creat-ing order and light in the sky. Coyote was immediately enthusiastic and asked to help. He was allowed to participate and he began to take crystals off the buckskin and place them in the sky. He placed one star in the south and exclaimed, "that will be my star, the coyote star." He placed a few other stars, claiming them for himself, including the red North Star, thus separating north and south. He soon grew impatient. When no one was looking, he grabbed the buckskin and tossed it high into the sky. All the remain-ing crystals flew out of the buckskin in all directions. There was no more precision in the placing and naming of the stars. This, Navajos say, is why there are so many stars without names or constellation forms. Sources: Navajo Skies, Twin Rocks Trading Post

Ma’ii Bizò © Melvin Bainbridge Coyote SCatters the Stars © Tyrell Descheney

Dahsani Dahsani the Porcupine is located in the northeastern part of the sky (no specific location s given). The Porcupine provides leadership to the animals of the mountains. It is featured in the Mountainway ceremony of the Diné. Long ago, during a very cold winter, the porcupine helped the Navajo find food. Source: Navajo Skies

Dahsani © Melvin Bainbridge

Sò‘ Ahóts’i’ The constellation Sò‘ Ahóts’i’, Pinching or Doubtful Stars is located in the Hyades star cluster. It is associated with Dilyéhé and Átsé Ets’ózí. The name Sò‘ Ahóts’i’ refers to doubtful or pinching stars. Pinching may allude to the closeness of the twin stars, while doubtful may refer to their parentage. Another story relating to the pinching concept refers to two women fighting, with their hands pulling each other’s hands, arms, and hair. The bright star Aldebaran is the fire of the Twin Stars. There is an interesting story about Sò‘ Ahóts’i’ which is part of a larger, more comprehensive story: According to the storytellers, Átsé Ets’ózí and Dilyéhé were arguing over which of them were the rightful parents of two beautiful twin girls. In Navajo the names of the girls are Sà’àh Naagháí and Bik’eh Hózhóón, loosely translated as Long Life and Happiness. These two terms embody the whole of life, in terms of complementarity. When the girls attained maturity the Sun visited them and in time they gave birth to children. Sà’àh Naagháí, gave birth to a son, Yé’iitsoh, who became one of the monsters who terrorized people on earth. Bik’eh Hózhóón gave birth to twin sons, who became the Hero Twins in Navajo oral histories: Naayéé Neizgháni and Tóbájishchíní (Monster Slayer and Born For Water). These twin boys eventually visited their father the Sun, and received weapons with which they slayed most of the monsters on earth. The Hero Twins have their own stars, close to Sò‘ Ahóts’i’í. Source: Navajo Skies

Naayéé’ Neizghání dóó Tóbájíshchíní The Hyades star cluster includes two stars that depict the Hero Twins, who slay the monsters and make earth safe for humans. There are many stories of their exploits, which are well known to most Navajos. Major Enemyway ceremonies that take place in the summer months feature the healing energies of Naayéé’ Neizghání and Tóbájíshchíní - Monster Slayer and Born For Water. In many versions of the stories Monster Slayer is the warrior who kills enemies, and Born For Water is the gentler side of man, who provides assistance and healing. The specific stars for both groups of twins are kept secret by Navajo elders. Source: Navajo Skies

Naayéé’ Neizghání & Tóbájíshchíní © Melvin Bainbridge

Shash Shash, the Bear constellation is considered a spring and summer constellation. It consists of the stars of the Greek constellation Sagittarius. Shash will first appear with the heliacal rise in the pre-dawn hours of early spring and signifies the coming of spring. The Bear constellation will emerge in the eastern horizon with the ears and nose appearing first. When the nose appears on the horizon in conjunction with the last star of the Thunder’s feather, it is said that the First Thunder sounds, heralding the onset of spring on earth. This is about the same time that bears emerge out of their caves after winter hibernation. Source: Navajo Skies

Shash © Melvin Bainbridge

Ii’ni Ii’ni, the Thunder constellation is similar to the Bear constellation. It is considered a spring and summer constellation and will first appear with the heliacal rise in the pre-dawn hours of early spring. This occurs about the same time that the First Thunder of spring sounds on earth signifying the coming of spring. The emergence of the First Thunder and the appearance of the Thunder constellation in the sky awake the life processes and emergence of spring and moreover signals the rejuvenation of seasonal life cycles on earth. The Thunder constellation manifests the intricate interconnection of all life in the universe, animals, plants, humans, thunder and lightning.

Ii’ni © Melvin Bainbridge

The essence of the Thunder constellation is depicted as a feather containing six stars. Each star represents a month and can be identified with the morning heliacal rise of the first bright star in the East, following the new crescent moon, for each of the six months. Unlike most Navajo constellations, the Thunder constellation covers a major portion of the sky and appears over many months. The first indication of its feather comes in the early morning hours in September/October (Denebola in Leo) and is completed in February/March (tip of Pegasus). The body takes an additional three months to completely appear, March, April and May, and remains visible during the rest of the summer. Source: Navajo Skies

Tsetah Dibé Tsetah Dibé, the Mountain Sheep constellation is considered a winter constellation, primarily because of its association with the Navajo winter Nightway ceremony. The constellation is thus visible in the winter months to the naked eye when it is very cold outside and when the moon is not too bright. The constellation will appear over the evening eastern sky in early winter and will be overhead at dawn. It corresponds to the Beehive Cluster, in the Greek constellation Cancer. Source: Navajo Skies

Tsetah Dibé © Melvin Bainbridge

During this time the winter nine-night ceremonies are being conducted and the sparkling constellation overhead is an indicator of dawn coming, signaling the completion of the night ceremonies.

Tãish Tsoh Tãish Tsoh, the Big Snake constellation is located in the southern sky made of parts of the Greek constellations Puppis and Canis Major. Historically Navajos used this constellation to indicate the coming and going of winter. This constellation is thus visible when the snakes on earth are hibernating in the ground. Source: Navajo Skies

Tãish Tsoh © Melvin Bainbridge

Tiníléí Tiníléí, the Gila Monster constellation is situated in the northern sky, in Andromeda, close to Cassiopeia. In Navajo culture, the Gila Monster is a respected reptile. The Gila Monster constellation carries the same connotations and respect as the earthly Gila Monster. Source: Navajo Skies

Tiníléí © Melvin Bainbridge

Kaalogi Kaalogi, the Butterfly constellation is considered to be a southern constellation. It is adjacent to the First Big One, Átse’ Etsoh, a part of the Greek constellation Scorpius. It is considered a summer constellation, visible during the time when butterflies are migrating through the Navajo Nation. Navajos, like other southwestern tribes, respect the butterfly as a symbol of the process of change, growth and regeneration. Source: Navajo Skies

Kaalogi © Melvin Bainbridge

Navajo Star Lore goes beyond constellations. There are deities associated with other events in the sky as well. Haashch’ééh Yáãti’ Talking God is associated with the daily eastern predawn. Haashch’éé’ooghan Hogan God is associated with the daily western evening twilight. Jhil Gish Flash Lightning. When Jhil Gish appears in the sky, an entire area of the sky lights up and thunder sounds roll across the sky. Source: Navajo Skies

Dawn in Monument Valley Source: maxpixel.net Lightning in Monument Valley Source: Pinterest

Jo’hannaa’éí Jo’hannaa’éí, the Sun and Tã’éhonaa’éí, the Moon are usually paired together. Together their cycles determine the times of the months and the years. There are usually twelve full moons in a year, but occasionally, every few years, Navajos acknowledge a thirteenth moon around the time of October, according to old Navajo teachings. This resets the calendar system so that the Sun and Moon cycles are harmoniously balanced. There are many stories about the Sun, including the stories we have referenced about the Twin Girls, the monsters and the Hero Twins. It is said that the Sun built a beautiful home for his wife, Changing Woman, in the waters of the West. She lived there with him for a long time and raised children who became the foundations of the Navajo clan system.

Jo’hannaa’éí © Melvin Bainbridge

The Sun is said to be a male energy, depicted by a perfectly round turquoise disc. It is said to be carried by a Sun Carrier as it makes its daily rounds across the sky. It is often shown being carried by a humanlike person riding a horse. Source: Navajo Skies

Tã’éhonaa’éí Tã’éhonaa’éí, the moon is considered to be a female energy in relation to the male energy of the Sun. There are many stories about the moon, often passed down through the female side of a family. The moon is usually depicted as a perfect white shell disc, carried by the Moon Carrier as he rides his horse across the sky. The phases of the moon are considered to be very important and there is a Navajo name for each of the 29 nights of the lunar cycle. Navajos begin the first day of the lunar cycle with Dah hiitâ, the first crescent moon visible after the new (dark) moon. The meaning of the moon is life itself, intrinsically connected with the life cycles of all organisms. Source: Navajo Skies

Tã’éhonaa’éí © Melvin Bainbridge

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