236 DESIGNS ON HOPI POTTERY [wPH. ANN. 33 
body is a conventionalized wing, while depending from its lowermost 
angle is a diminutive figure resembling feathers. The tail consists 
of two elongate feathers, rounded at their outer ends and fused at 
the point of union with the body. 
Having seen how prone the ancient Hopi were to represent birds on 
their pottery and the extent to which conventionalization of these fig- 
ures prevailed, one finds 
many designs so closely re- 
lated to known bird figures 
that the tendency is to in- 
clude with them many the 
identification of which is 
doubtful. Certain simple 
geometrical forms originally 
derived from bird designs 
were copied by these early 
potters, presumably without 
intending to represent birds, 
but rather merely as deco- 
rative motives. Two of 
these problematic designs 
are shown in figures 55 
Fic. 55.—Lateral view of conventionalized bird. and 56. 
FEATHER DESIGNS 
A large number of conventional figures representing feathers 
have been identified, but there are many others which yet remain to be 
interpreted, and the particular genus of birds to which each should 
be referred is likewise prob- 
lematical. There is no doubt, SK 
from a study of the uses of 
different kinds of feathers 
in modern Hopi ceremo- 
nials, that each form de- 
picted on pottery represents 
a feather which played an 
important role in ancient 
Hopi rituals. 
Many unquestionable 
feather designs pictured on 
Sikyatki pottery are found 
depicted on serpents, or are attached to inanimate objects, such as 
rainbows, clouds, and lightning. 
It is probable that the majority of feather designs on ancient Hopi 
earthenware are included in the following types, to which no doubt 
Fic. 56.—Lateral view of conventionalized bird. 
