Kady Sun's Horses
C.1998, Private Collection

The Sun's Horses has a Multi-Patterned background, similar to the Chief's Blanket designs. These blankets are the earliest weaving style known to have come from the Dine' (Navajo) People.

How joyous his neigh!
Lo, the Turquoise Horse of Johano-ai,
How joyous his neigh,
There on precious hides outspread, standeth he;
How joyous his neigh,
There of mingled waters holy, drinketh he;
How joyous his neigh,
There in mist of sacred pollen hidden, all hidden he;
How joyous his neigh,
These his offspring may grow and thrive forevermore;
How joyous his neigh!
 

"My grandparents use to tell me that these blankets were worn by our people for protection, the striped patterned were representations of the rainbow guardians, and that our people found these blankets in the house of the Sun God, Johano-ai'. "

These blankets were worn over one shoulder and went through four distinct phases. The 1st Phase Chief's Blanket had simple stripes of natural colors of white, black/brown and indigo blue. In the 2nd Phase Chief's Blanket a design element was woven in the corners of the blankets and the color red was introduced. The 3rd Phase Chief's Blanket became more elaborate, the stepped, triangles and "Spider Woman" crosses became a part of the design. And now the 4th Phase Chief's Blankets are very innovative with more elaborate detail artistry of pictorials and colors.

Still, the oldest sample of preserved Dine' weaving dates back to about 1802.

The story goes, that the Johano-ai' starts each day from his Hogan in the east and rides across the skies to his Hogan in the west, carrying the shining golden disk, the Sun. They say that when the skies are blue and the weather is fair, Johano-ai' is mounted on his Turquoise Horse or his  White Shell Horse; but when the heavens are dark with storm, he is riding the Horse of Coal.

When a horse of the Sun God gallops, he raises not dust but glittering grains of mineral, such that are used in our ceremonies. And that when he rolls and shakes himself, it is this shining mineral that flies from him.

The White Shelled Horse of the east is the color of purity and of the spirit. They say that Sun God rode this horse when he was courting Changing Woman, the earth goddess. The white horse occupies the east, the color of dawn or early morning light.

Turquoise Horse of the south is said to be the Sun God's favorite and is the most valuable. Because it is the strongest, rides accordingly and the largest of all the horses. This is the horse that he usually rides all day.

The Yellow Mare of the west presents the colors of the sunset and abalone.

The Black Horse of the north represents the night sky. It is referred to as the Sun's "Black Jewel" horse. And when the Johano-ai' rides this horse, the golden disk is obstructed from view, which we call night time.

One of Sun God's first remarks after the horses had been created and put into the sky concerned the care of his majestic blue horse. As he went on his initial trip across the heavens, He looked for a nice place to pasture his mount at mid-day.

Approaching the center of the sky he discovered a likely spot and said. "The blue Horse that I ride will eat there."

The horse was well pleased with the pasture chosen for him, as the first of the Horse Song describes him "neighing joyously" as he stands on the precious hides of all kinds which are spread out across the sky to symbolize clouds. There, in the cloud pasture, he feeds on the tips of lovely new flowers and drinks of four mingled waters from the stream which connects with the four regions of the world, the Horse song denotes.

In this piece I chose a multi-patterned background of the 4-Phase Chief's Blankets. The focal point of my design is the Sun God and his horses. I connected the focal points of my design with a pollen trail of yellow zigzag lighting bolt design, or "lighting paths". The vegetal dyed yellow is from Navajo Tea, it is my trademark color.

At the top, I left an opening, representative of the eastern direction, where all life begins and where Johano-ai' starts his daily trek from the east.

In the middle of the textile, just as it is in the middle of the universe, the Sun God is represented. His buffalo horns, which are power symbol; and a eagle feather, showing that he has communication with the people. It is said that a long time a ago the Dine' People would say a prayer or ask for a blessing over an eagle feather and then place it on a branch. And then the wind picks up and carries it into the sky, to Johano-ai', and that the prayers were answered in this manner.

Above and below the Sun God are woven rainbow bar guardians. The rainbow is considered a means of safe transportation used by the Deities. It protects the Sun God's daily trek. There is also an arrowhead of the four directions protecting the horses.

" How Joyous is his neigh"

This magnificent textile was woven in 1998, it is in a private collection.

I enjoy doing these pieces, I feel it is necessary to continue preserving our culture through our Arts. May we all continue on the path of beauty. In Beauty it is said and done, in beauty it is said and done, in beauty it is said and done, in beauty it is said and done.

Roy Kady, 4th generation Master Weaver.

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