Some of the most important symbols in Navajo culture are found in sand paintings (or dry
paintings). Sand paintings are a part of a very sacred religious ceremony for the Navajo
people.
paintings). Sand paintings are a part of a very sacred religious ceremony for the Navajo
people.
For the Navajo, the sandpainting is a dynamic, living, sacred entity that enables the healing
recipient to transform his or her mental and physical state. By focusing on the powerful
mythic symbols, restorative events of the past are able to live again in the present.
The performative power of sandpainting creation and ritual use reestablish the proper,
orderly placement of the forces of life, thus restoring correct relations between the patient
and those forces upon which the patient’s spiritual and physical health depend. The sandpainting
works its healing power by reestablishing the patient’s sense of connectedness to
all of life (Griffin-Pierce 1991:66).
Art Activity:
Sand paintings will be made on plastic or paper trays using preprinted images of
animals, traditional patterns, colored sand, and glue.
Video:
https://youtu.be/cH97VAM0KAw
recipient to transform his or her mental and physical state. By focusing on the powerful
mythic symbols, restorative events of the past are able to live again in the present.
The performative power of sandpainting creation and ritual use reestablish the proper,
orderly placement of the forces of life, thus restoring correct relations between the patient
and those forces upon which the patient’s spiritual and physical health depend. The sandpainting
works its healing power by reestablishing the patient’s sense of connectedness to
all of life (Griffin-Pierce 1991:66).
Art Activity:
Sand paintings will be made on plastic or paper trays using preprinted images of
animals, traditional patterns, colored sand, and glue.
Video:
https://youtu.be/cH97VAM0KAw
