Article
In some versions of Navajo ceremonial traditions, Big Fly, known as Do'tsoh in Navajo, and what Hillerman sometimes refers to as Sacred Fly, or Little Winds, is the guardian of Navajo sandpainting and oftentimes will hover near or land on a person's shoulder while the painter is working. When he sits on the shoulder, Big Fly answers questions sent down by the elders. In this, the Navajo Big Fly shares many similarities with the Zuni dragonfly character, who, similar to Big Fly, manifests as a liaison between the people and their spirit ancestors.
"Fly, July 3, 2010" by Hafiz Issadeen is licensed under CC BY.
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References
Campbell, Joseph
1991 The Power of Myth. New York: Anchor Books.
Haile, Berard
1943 Origin Legend of the Navaho Flintway. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Reichard, Gladys Amanda
1950 Navaho Religion: A Study of Symbolism. New York: Bollinger Foundation.