May, 1903. The Arapaho Su?j Dance — Dorsev. 171 



of the kidneys, a large red circular spot outlined in black. With 

 the second and third paints were worn head, waist, wrist, and ankle 

 bands of sage. In the head bands were eagle breath-feathers, stand- 

 ing upright. 



In regard to the symbolism of these three interesting paints it was 

 stated that the red spots represented the eyes and nostrils of the 

 sun, and also of Young-Bull, while the black dot of the fourth paint 

 represented the condition of the dancer as having been consumed by 

 fire. Before applying the dots, the grandfather took a bite of root 

 and ejected spittle upon the dancer's body where the dots were to be 

 applied — "to make them cool." 



Concerning the origin of this Circular or Thunder paint, the fol- 

 lowing story was obtained : 



ORIGIN OF THE CIRCULAR OR THUNDER PAINT. 



When the Sun Dance was taking place years ago, buffalo being 

 plentiful at that time, and the different tribes being on unfriendly 

 terms, a young man made a vow for his own benefit, to suspend him- 

 self with rawhide rope from the center fork. So on the second day, 

 his friends provided articles, such as pieces of calico, parfleches, com- 

 forts, etc., for him to lie on. His body was pierced at the breast and 

 pins were placed. 



The young man took courage and walked about from one side to 

 the other, blowing his bone whistle. The singing was kept up for 

 some time, for it was a hard task for the young man to break loose 

 from the rope. But he kept dancing and pulled back from time to 

 time, until a vision came upon him, which was the Sun Dance, being 

 painted as in an actual Sun Dance. He saw these paints at different 

 times; and after seeing the last one, which was black paint (Thunder), 

 he broke loose. 



The people thought that he had some courage to get through ; at 

 the same time they praised him because he did not get discouraged. 

 He kept to himself what he had then seen, until another Sun Dance 

 was held. At this time he went to the Sun Dance priests and told 

 them the circumstances of his piercing, and that he wished to be given 

 the privilege of painting himself, on all days, during the ceremony, to 

 which the priests consented, while they welcomed the painting as 

 another element of life to the tribe. . 



So when the ceremony took place, the first paint was shown, and 

 so on the other days. This paint was charming to the spectators and 

 to others. 



