210 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 
flannel used in the soldiers’ uniforms. It is to be regretted that in recent 
years aniline dyes have superseded native ones. At the present time an 
effort is being made by the traders in the Navajo country to secure the use 
of native dyes again or of more permanent commercial dyes. 
Navaso DEsIGns 
Since blanket weaving is of comparatively recent origin among the 
Navajo, the source of designs is a matter of considerable interest. It is 
yet to be determined how far these patterns are a natural growth codrdinate 
with the development of Navajo weaving, in how far they have been taken 
over from Navajo basketry, and to what extent they have been influenced 
by Pueblo and Spanish neighbors. The earlier examples of Navajo weaving 
often have broad stripes, closely resembling the blankets made by the Hopi. 
Later many geometrical figures appear, standing alone, or combined with 
horizontal and vertical stripes or with each other. The general arrange- 
ment is usually symmetrical, but both the completed pattern and the in- 
dividual designs lack the exactness of machine work. 
The more common designs are squares, parallelograms, diamonds and 
triangles. Diamonds are often formed by intersecting diagonal lines which 
run across the blanket, half diamonds resulting at the sides. The outlines of 
the figures in many cases are broken with right angles, that is, made to con- 
sist of a series of steps. These designs have Navajo names descriptive of 
them, such as “sling” for the elongated diamond, “three points” for the 
triangle. The ordinary diamond is called “star large,” by which the 
morning star is meant. This and the zigzag line representing lightning and 
triangular masses called clouds have more or less religious connotation and 
may be symbolic in their intention. The swastika, a primitive cross-like 
form, which is now often seen on blankets has recently been introduced in 
response to the commercial demand for it. 
Kinps oF Navaso BLANKETS 
The Navajo wove at first to secure clothing and blankets for their own 
use. The women’s garment consisted of two rectangular pieces of cloth 
partly sewed together on the sides and one end, openings being left for the 
neck and arms. The fashion required that the middle portion of each 
piece be black with a broad band of red at each end relieved by narrow 
stripes and small designs in black or blue. This red is in many cases 
bayeta because the women’s dress has not been much worn since the use of 
bayeta has been superseded by Germantown and commercial dyes. A 
single large rectangular blanket was used to wrap around the body. These 
