Tribal Government
Navajo Nation Flag
On May 21, 1968, the Navajo Nation council adopted this flag, designed
by Jay R. Degroat, a Navajo from Mariano Lake, New Mexico and selected
from 140 entries. On a tan background, the outline of the present nation
is in copper with the original 1868 treaty reservation in dark brown.
At the cardinal points in the tan field are the four sacred mountains.
A rainbow symbolizing Navajo sovereignty arches over the nation and the
sacred mountains. In the center of the nation, a circular symbol depicts
the sun above two green stalks of corn, which surround three animals
representing the Navajo livestock economy, and a traditional hogan and
modern home. Situated between the hogan and modern home is an oil derrick,
symbolizing the resource potential of the tribe, and above this are representations
of the wild fauna of the Nation. At the top near the sun, the modern
sawmill symbolizes the progress and industrial characteristics of the
Navajo Nation's economic development.
The Great Seal
On January 18, 1852, the Navajo Nation council adopted
the great seal, designed by John Claw, Jr. of Many Farms, Arizona. The
50 arrowheads outlining the seal symbolize the tribe's protection within
the 50 states.
The opening at the top of the three concentric lines is the east; the
lines represent a rainbow and the sovereignty of the Navajo Nation. The
rainbow never closes on the tribe's sovereign immunity. The outside line
is red, the middle is yellow, and the inside is blue. The yellow sun
shines from the east on the four mountains sacred to the Navajo. These
are located at the cardinal points, in ceremonial colors: White in the
east represents White-Shell Woman; Blue in the south represents Turquoise
Woman; Yellow to the west represents Abalone Woman; and Black to the
north represents Jet Black Woman. Two green corn plants, symbolic as
the sustainer of the Navajo life, decorate the bottom of the seal, with
tips of the yellow pollen which is used in many Navajo ceremonies. In
the center are three animals: a sheep, a horse, and a cow, all symbolizing
the Navajo livestock industry.
Top^
|
