THE FOUR QUARTERS

Navajo Central Diamond & Four Sacred Mountain Rug, Four Corners, NM

The plains Indians were acutely aware of the basic four directions of the earth on which they intimately lived and traversed. But instead of the traditional names of our culture, they associated much more imaginative descriptions and colors to the four quarters that brought differing winds to the land. Black was identified with the west and the life giving rains carried on the winds of the thunder beings. White and snow represented the north from where the great white cleansing winds originate and endurance is taught. Red was associated with the east where the bright daybreak or morning star lives to herald the light and give men wisdom and understanding. And yellow reflects the bright sun’s warm rays and the south winds that signaled the season of growth and source of life.