3O SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 63 



The crook (gnela) is used as a prayer emblem of warriors because 

 it has the form of an ancient weapon, and while it assumes modifica 

 tions in different Hopi ceremonies it apparently has one and the same 

 intent, as in Soyaluna. This crook is sometimes interpreted as sym 

 bolically representing an old man with head bent over by age, but this 

 interpretation is probably secondary to that suggested above, as so 

 often happens in the interpretations given by primitive priests. 



The true interpretation of the crooked prayer stick was pointed out 

 by the author in his article on &quot; Minor Hopi Festivals,&quot; * as follows : 



This crook is believed by the author to be a diminutive representation of 

 an implement akin to a throwing stick, the object of which is to increase the 



FIG. 17. Human figure running. Oldtown Ruin. (Osborn collection.) 



Diam. 7^&quot;. 



velocity of a shaft thrown in the air. Its prototype is repeatedly used in Hopi 

 rites, and it occurs among Hopi paraphernalia always apparently with the same 

 or nearly the same meaning. 



In figure 17 is represented a person running with outstretched 

 banded arms, holding in the left hand a bow, and in the other a 

 straight stick. The head is circular w r ith cross lines, a round, dotted 

 eye, and two triangular ears. Another representation shows a human 

 figure with a bow and arrow before the hands, accompanied by three 

 animals, the middle one being a bird and the two lateral, quadrupeds. 



1 Amer. Anthrop., n. s., vol. 4, p. 502. 



