156 APPENDIX, 



ranies, like those of the Natchez, were called Suns, and claimed a like lofty lineage. 

 The evidence upon this point might be greatly extended, but enough has been 

 adduced to establish the general predominance of Sun Worship in America.* 



It will be seen, from this hasty survey, that the hypothesis which ascribes to the 

 square, circular, and other regular structures of the Mississippi valley a rehgious 

 origin, and to their forms a symbolical significance, is sustained not only by the 

 most obvious circumstances of structure and position, but also by striking analo- 

 gies, derived from the form and known character of corresponding structures in 

 other parts of the world. It is further sustained by the nature of the worship, 

 which, from its wide diflfusion and great prominence amongst the American nations, 

 we are justified in supposing Avas elementary and pervaded the American continent 

 from the earliest period. 



It may be objected that a portion of these structures are square or octangular, 

 and cannot, therefore, whatever may be said of those bearing a circular form (and 

 which are by far the most numerous), be regarded as symbolizing the sun, or indi- 

 cating the prevalence of sun worship among the builders. Any attempts to answer 

 this question would doubtless involve a very extended inquiry into the form and 

 connections which this worship assumed, both in the Old and New Worlds, and 

 would perhaps, after all, bear too much the character of a mere speculation to be 

 satisfactory, or in any degree conclusive. For this reason no attempt of the kind 

 will be made. The observations which follow are thrown out suggestively, as fur- 

 nishing the possible if not the probable principles upon which some of these 

 structures were built, and the reasons which may have influenced the singular 

 combinations which we observe between them. 



It can be shown that the doctrine of the reciprocal principles of nature, which 

 entered so largely into the early idolatry of the Eastern World, prevailed also in 

 America. The sun and the moon, or oftener, the sun and the earth, emblematized 

 these principles. According to Mr. Dudley and other writers on symbolism, these 

 powers among the primitive idolaters were figuratively represented : the male 

 principle by the circle, the female principle by the square.'f The same authorities 

 lay it down as a rule, subject to few exceptions, that whenever the circular form 

 is adopted in sacred structures, the worship of the male principle is indicated ; but 

 when the quadrangular, then the female principle. " At one time," says Mr. Dud- 

 ley, " the ancient world was divided in the worship of the two powers ; but time 



* "Sun worship existed extensively in North as well as South America. There is reason to beUeve 

 that the ancestors of all the principal existing tribes of America worshipped the Eternnl Fire. Both from 

 their records and traditions, as well as their existing monuments, this conclusion is irresistible. * * * 

 Among the North American tribes, the graphic Ke-ke-win, which depicts the sun, stands on then- pictorial 

 rolls as the symbol of the Great Spirit ; and no important rite or ceremony is undertaken without an offer- 

 ing of tobacco to him. The weed is lit from fire generated anew on each occasion." — ( Schoolcraft, Address 

 before N. Y. Hist. Soc, 1846, p. 29.) "They believe in the sacred character of fire, and regard it 

 as the mysterious element of the universe typifying divinity." — lb., p. 35. 



■I- " The Chinese have consecrated two temples, one to the Heavens, the other to the Earth : the first 

 is round, the second square, according to the theory of their learned men ; who, with the Pythagoreans, 

 regard the earth as a cube, and the heavens a sphere." — {De Pan, Res. China and Egypt, Vol. II., p. 42.) 



