DORSEY.i SYMBOLIC COLORS. 531 



I have found a subtle connection between the elements of earth and air that 

 answers somewhat to the blendiiic; of the symbolic colors just spoken of. This con- 

 nection is revealed in the reciprocal or complementary functions of gentes belonging 

 to these two great divisions represented in the tribal structure, as well as in the 

 reactionary character of the elements themselves as portrayed in the myths and typi- 

 fied iu some ceremonies. For instance, the eagle mythically belongs to the air, and 

 is allied to the destructive powers of the element and to wars upou the earth, yet the 

 Eagle gens, although connected with the air division of the gentes, is in some tribes 

 a peace gens. An enemy escaping to the tent of an Eagle man is safe and can not be 

 molested. In symbols eagle feathers are not only the pride and emblem of the war- 

 rior but they are essential in certain ceremonies of amity and peace-making. 



A study of the position of gentes belonging to the divisions of earth and air, their 

 tribal and ceremonial duties, together with their mythological significance, shows 

 lines connecting the gentes of the earth with the gentes of the air which are vertical, 

 80 to .speak, and might be represented as running north aud south on the tribal circle, 

 and indicating mediating offices as between contending or opposite forces. 



It would occupy too much space to fully set forth my reasons for thinking blue- 

 black to be the symbol of the thunder rather than red and yellow. Although thunder 

 is allied to the four quarters, to the four elemental divisions and partakes of their 

 symbolism, still a study of thunder myths, thunder-names, and the tribal offices of 

 thunder gentes seems to me, at my present understanding of them, to indicate the 

 blue-black as the persistent symbol. 



I would not at this date make any unqualified statement giving green, blue, or black 

 as the symbol of the west, the water, or the moon; and although in some instances these 

 colors occurin connection with these objects of reverence, I am now inclined to class 

 these as incidental rather than as representative of the color symbols. 



t>ne word regarding red aud yellow. Red not only represents the sun and the pro- 

 creative forces (yet black is sometimes used in the latter), but the color carries with 

 it the idea of hope, the continuation of life. The dawn of the day, the east, is almost 

 without exception in these tribes denoted by red. This red line, forceful, aggressive, 

 yet life giving and hope-inspiring, starts from a war division of the tribal circle and 

 fades into yellow as it passes into an opposite peace division in the west. Red and 

 yellow bear to each other a relation somewhat resembling that of blue and black, 

 only reversed; the red loses its intensity in yellow, the aggressive force symbolized 

 in the red is not expressed in the yellow. If the Indian's world were arched with his 

 symbolic colors, we should see a brilliant band of red start from the east and fade to 

 yellow in the west; while the green-blue line from the north would deepen to the 

 black of the south. In the first the intense color would rush from war into the mild 

 light of peace; the second bright hue would spring from peace to be lost in the dark- 

 ness of war. Thus the two hold the tribe within the opposing yet complementary 

 forces which constitute the mystery of the relation l)etweeu life aud death. 



I will not go further into this interesting subject nor revert to the revolution of 

 these symbolic colors as throwing light on tribal migrations and history. 



Thanking you for this opportunity to modify some of my statements written nine 

 years ago, 



I remain, cordiallj- yours, 



Alice C. Flbtchkr. 



Peabody Museu.m, 



Cambridge, Mans., January 3, 1S91. 



In the Word Carrier of November, 1890, published by A. L. Riggs,, 

 at Santee Ageucy, Nebr., is an article on page 30, from Mary C. Collins,. 

 who is evidently one of the mission workers. She says: "I went into 

 the sacred tent and talked with Sitting Bull. He sat * * * oppo- 

 site the tent door. Hands and wrists were painted yellow aud green;, 



