The Mother Earth symbol...
				Story Teller... pottery by Alma Concha... Taos Pueblo
The Mother Earth symbol... from... Book of the Hopi by... Frank Waters		Most of the Mother Earth symbols have been drawn on their sides. Sometimes they are circular in shape. If it is rotated 90 degrees clockwise it will be easier to explain its symbolism.  The Mother Earth symbol of the Hopis represents what is called the "Emergence Myth."  The Emergence Myth has been passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. Stories are told of the plan of Creation and about the people being divided into groups or clans and beginning a great migration to the ends of the earth.

The Sipapu...
		The center of the Mother Earth symbol symbolizes the Sipupu - the place where the Kachinas emerge to this world. The small hole in the floor of the kiva is also the Sipapu. The vertical line of the Mother Earth symbol brings the Kachinas out of the Sipapu.  Left... The Mud Head Kachina... The first Kachina to come to this world. He was formed from red mud. Mud Head Kachina: carved by Wilson Kay... Hopi

Kiva Interior...
		The outer part of the Mother Earth symbol symbolizes a new world to which the the Kachinas have emerged. The kiva interior also represents this new world where we now live.

The Ladder...
		The ladder (the upper vertical line) can be seen leading out of the Mother Earth symbol. The ladder and smoke rising out of the kiva also represent leaving this world and the emergence to a new world and life after death.