Navajo Rug / Corn Plants and Dragon Fly Yei Figures

Late 20th Century
19" x 23"

Little Wind, Nilth Chizzie, is an informer who guides the prophets in their search for knowledge. He is more or less the same symbol as the "Dontso" or "Don Tso" (Messenger Fly) who also takes the part of the informant and guide. The "Dontso," the dragonfly, the corn beetle, the butterfly, the cicada, and other flying insects are drawn with straight bodies, masked faces, and with the legs, arms, and wings making long slim triangles. The ability to move through the air seems to depend on wings and is indicated by upper arms and upper legs. For feet, they have either the claws of a bug, or cloud symbols. (A Study of Navajo Symbolism, Franc Johnson Newcomb, 1956, p 29)
Dragonflies and other water insects are seen as guardians and messengers of warnings and wisdom from the deities. The Dragonfly is seen in many sandpaintings, especially those from the Male Shootingway and Blessing ceremony.