FHWKES] THE RUIN, SIKYATKI 237 
other forms of feather designs will be added later. These types 
are abundant in vessels of the Sikyatki epoch. 
From the above pictures of birds and many others it may be seen 
that feather symbols assume a variety of forms in sikyatki pottery 
decoration. There are probably more than 50 different designs, 
each representing a different kind of feather, and implying for each 
a distinct use or ceremonial eflicacy, as among the modern Hopi. 
Our knowledge of ancient Hopi symbolism is not yet sufficient to 
enable us to identify all the different birds to which 
these various forms of feathers belong, nor do we a 
know the uses to which all these feathers were put.t yy¢. 57. Feather 
Several wooden slabs and idols on Hopi altars S¥*vel with black 
have features drawn upon them, and many cere- 
monial sand-pictures contain designs representing feathers. In rare 
instances, as in the altar of the Powami,? typical Sikyatki symbols 
of feathers are still used, but feather symbols of a form not found 
on Sikyatki pottery far outnumber those from that ruin. The exist- 
ence of one type of Sikyatki feathers on the figure of Pokema in 
kachina altars may point to the derivation of this feather sym- 
bol from Sikyatki, but some of these types are widespread.’ 
The forms assumed by feathers on Sikyatki pottery may best be 
presented by considering a few examples of the more common types. 
Figure 57 represents an unusual type of feather 
symbol, readily distinguished from others by the 
Fic. 58.—Feather Notch at the end, the edge of which is commonly 
eee with black rounded. There are two subdivisions of this type, 
i one with a dotted shaft (fig. 58), the other plain. 
This form of feather design is found in most unexpected associations, 
occurring on the heads of serpents or attached to various parts of the 
body and under the wings of birds. It also hangs from diametrical 
bands drawn across the inside of food bowls and from other objects 
constituting the decoration of vessels. In a few instances this type 
of feather is enlarged and constitutes the essential part of the ‘de- 
sign, with other symbols attached. 
1 Feathers are among the most important objects employed In Pueblo ceremonies, and 
among the modern Hopi feathers of different birds are regarded as efficacious for different 
specific purposes. Thus the turkey feather symbol is efficacious to bring rain, and the 
hawk and eagle feathers are potent in war. The specific feather used ceremonially by 
modern Hopi priests is regarded by them as of great importance, and the same doubtless 
was true of the priests of ancient Sikyatki and Awatobi. Belief in a difference in the 
magic power of certain feathers was deeply rooted in the primitive mind, and was re- 
garded as of great importance by the ancient as well as the modern Hopi. 
2 Compare the sand-mosaic of the sun associated with the Powalawf altar of Oraibi, and 
the sun emblem shown in fig. 98. 
’Mallery (Fourth Ann. Rept. Bur. Ethn., p. 47, fig. 12) illustrates two clusters of 
characteristic Hopi feathers copied by Mr. G. K. Gilbert from petroglyphs at Oakley 
Springs, Arizona. The first cluster belongs to the type shown in our fig. 57 as eagle tails, 
the second to that illustrated in fig. 31. They were identified by the Oraibi chief, Tuba, 
and so far as known have not been subsequently figured. 
