FoWKES] THE RUIN, SIKYATKI PAST 
The form of rain-cloud symbol on Sikyatki pottery may be regarded 
as characteristic of the Kokop clan which, according to legends, 
settled this ancient pueblo. Modified variants of this form of rain- 
cloud symbol occur on almost every specimen in the Sikyatki collec- 
tion, and can be seen hanging from “sky-bands” with appended 
star signs or without such connections. 
The most common Sikyatki symbol of a rain cloud is shown in fig- 
ure 89 and plate 90, 7,7. These rain-cloud designs rarely occur singly, 
being more often six in number, as if 
intended to represent the six cardinal 
points recognized in Hopi ceremonies. 
We find the Sikyatki rain-cloud symbols 
resembling somewhat those of the mod- 
ern Zuni, or figures of clouds found on 
the characteristic designs on Little 
Colorado ceramics. Somewhat similar angular terraced forms are 
almost universally used in eastern pueblos as rain-cloud symbols, but 
the semicircular forms (fig. 90) of modern Hopi ceremonials, being 
apparently a highly specialized modification, rarely occur on Sikyatki 
pottery. 
Fie. 89.—Rain cloud. 
Srars 
The star sign occurs as an equal armed cross formed by the ap- 
proximation of four squares, leaving a central uncolored area. It is 
generally accompanied by a rain-cloud 
symbol or bird figures, although likewise 
found without them. We often find one 
arm of the component arms of the cross 
missing and two of the remaining arms 
adherent to a band; often these crosses 
have a circular enlargement at the junc- 
ne i A tion of their arms. A simple equal armed 
cross is the sole decoration on the interior 
of numerous food bowls, and there are several examples of St. 
Andrew’s crosses, the triangular arms of which have been in- 
terpreted as representing four conventionalized birds; no exam- 
ple of a cross with unequal arms has yet been found on Sikyatki 
pottery. 
These crosses, like that with four arms representing the Sky god 
in modern Hopi symbolism, probably represent the Heart of the Sky. 
A similar cross is figured on paraphernalia used in modern Hopi 
rites or on altar slabs; when it is represented by a wooden frame, it 
is called tokpela, and hangs before the altar. The same object is 
sometimes attached horizontally to the top of the helmet of the 
74936°—19—33 rrH——17 - 
