cuLIN] HOOP AND POLE 439 
describes it as the object esteemed next after the great tribal medicine, 
the flat pipe, among the northern Arapaho. The wheel used by them 
in their Sun dance is described by him as follows: 
The object (hehotti) is about 18 inches in diameter [figure 574]. It is made 
of a rectangular piece of wood, one end of which tapers like the tail of a ser- 
pent, the other being rudely fashioned to represent a serpent’s head. Near the 
head of the serpent are several wrappings of blue beads, which have replaced 
small red berries which formerly occupied this place. At four opposite sides of 
the wheel are incised designs, two of them being in the form of crosses, the other 
two resembling the conventionalized Thunderbird. These designs are similar 
to those found on gaming wheels, used by Arapaho and other Plains tribes. 
Attached by means of short buckskin thongs are also four complete sets of the 
tail feathers of an eagle. The spacing of these feathers is not now uniform, 
but, according to Hawkan, they should have been grouped in equal numbers 
near the four incised markings on the wheel. As an eagle tail has 12 feathers, 
there would thus be, in all, 48 feathers on the wheel. At times, however, 
the wheel does not possess such a large number of eagle tail feathers, but a 
single tail is divided into four, and there are thus three feathers for each 
marking. . . . The feathers on the wheel at the present time number 24, 
there being thus two eagle tails represented, with six feathers to each marking. 
The inside of the wheel is painted red, while the outer periphery is stained 
black. 
Referring to the symbolism of the wheel, Doctor Dorsey says: 
According to Hawkan and one or two other authorities, the disk itself repre- 
sents the sun, while the actual band of wood represents a tiny water-snake, 
ealled henigé, and which is said to be found in rivers, in lakes, near ponds, 
and in buffalo wallows. Later in the ceremony, this lake or pool of sweet 
water is represented, while near by on a forked stick, is the owner of the pool, 
alittle bird. . . . This serpent is said to be the most harmless of all snakes. 
The wheel thus, representing this snake, has a derived meaning, and represents 
the water which surrounds the earth. The additional idea was also put forth that 
while the wheel represents a harmless snake, all snakes are powerful to charm, 
and hence the wheel is a sign of gentleness and meekness. The blue beads 
around the neck of the snake represent the sky or the heavens, which are clean 
and without blemish; the color blue among the Arapaho is also typical of friend- 
ship. The four inside markings (hitanni) on the wheel represent the Four-Old- 
Men who are frequently addressed during the ceremony, and who stand watch- 
ing and guarding the inhabitants of this world. The Four-Old-Men may also 
be called the gods of the four world quarters and to them the Sun Dance priest 
often makes supplication that they may live to a great age. The Four-Old-Men 
are also spoken of as the Thunderbird, having power to watch the inhabitants, 
and in their keeping is the direction of the winds of the earth. They therefore 
represent the living element of all people. If the wind blows from the north, 
it is said to come from the Old-Man-of-the-North, who controls the wind 
of that end or quarter of the world. Another priest states more definitely that 
the Four-Old-Men are Summer, Winter, Day, and Night, who though they 
travel in single file, yet are considered as occupying the four cardinal points. 
Thus, according to direction and the Arapaho color scheme, Day and Summer 
are the Southeast and Southwest, respectively, and are black in color, while 
Winter and Night are the Northwest and Northeast, respectively, and are 
red in color. Inasmuch as Sun is regarded as the grandfather of the Four-Old- 
Men, it is more than likely that the wheel may be regarded as the emblem of the 
