Anasazi is a Navajo word meaning "Ancient Ones."

 The Anasazi Indians are the ancestors of the Pueblo Indians which now live along the Rio Grande River in New Mexico, the Zuñi Pueblos in western New Mexico, and the Hopi villages near the Little Colorado in Arizona. It is curious "Anasazi" would be a Navajo word since the Navajo are not related to the Anasazi Indians. This is one of the reasons that the Pueblo People of today would prefer them to be known as "Ancient Puebloans."

 Petroglyphs known as the Mother Earth symbol have been found near the Hopi villages of Oraibi, Shipaulovi, and Walpi. These petroglyphs explain one of many of the Anasazi myths which have been passed down from one generation to another. This myth is known as the "Emergence Myth." It symbolizes the Spirits, or Kachinas, emerging to this world through a small hole in the ground known as the sipapu. The actual sipapu is in a sacred place near the Little Colorado River close to the Grand Canyon.

 Another myth which has been passed down from generation to generation is the "Creation Myth" which tells about the creation of the earth.

The Mother Earth Symbol, Kivas and Kachinas...

 The Kiva is an underground religious structure. The kiva also symbolizes the "Emergence Myth." During their ceremonies, Indians dressed as Kachinas come into the village. The Kachinas represent Spirits who have come to this earth through the sipapu. . The Kachina dolls, which are bought by tourist, were first made to teach the children about the various Kachinas. There are now 100 to 300 Indians in each Hopi village who carve Kachinas from cottonwood to be sold throughout the Southwest.

 Many cultures around the world have similar stories. One myth talks about the soft spot in a baby's head being the place where the spirit enters the body. Later, at death, the spirit leaves through the same spot. This is a form of the sipapu.

 To learn more about the Mother Earth symbol and kivas click on the items below:

Mother Earth Symbol

Kiva Interior Details
Pecos National Monument... New Mexico

Kiva Interior - Paintings
Coronado State Monument... New Mexico