The Four
Scenic Circles On And Over The Head-Piece Represent Clouds, And The Symbol
On The Uprights Blossoms, Clouds, Falling Rain, Etc.
The larger of the
idols within the framework represents Chowilawn, the God of Germination and
Growth, the smaller one, Sotukonangwun, the God of Thunder, and the small,
black figurine to the left of the framework is the representation of
Pookong, the God of War.
Between these idols stand numerous slabs, the
zigzag formed representing lightning, the straight ones stalks of corn,
etc. On each side of the altar proper stands a large wooden tablet, on
which is drawn a picture of the Hiv Katchina, a personage that figures
conspicuously in the ceremony on the sixth day, in which children are
initiated into the Katchina order. On this occasion masked and gorgeously
dressed men, who are supposed to be represented by these pictures, flog
these small candidates for initiation.
In front of the altar may be seen a square, sand picture, containing cloud
symbols, prayer offerings, blossoms, etc. Between this sand mosaic and the
altar proper are rattles, a medicine bowl, ears of corn, meal trays, eagle
feathers, and other objects.
The large object at the extreme left, consisting of a terraced tablet at
the top, several zigzag sticks, and a stand at the bottom, represents
clouds and lightning. The tablet and also the drawing in the upper part of
it represent clouds, the crooked sticks lightning, and the two circular
drawings, in the lower part of the tablet, symbolize blossoms.
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