WILLOUGHBY— ART OF EARTHWORK BUILDERS 



sections. The cosmic symbol in its complete form represents the 

 world as known to the Indians and usually consists of a circle or 

 concentric circles inclosing a cross and a central disc or circle. This is 

 said to represent the sun, the four directions or four winds, the 

 horizon, and also the earth, air, and water. Sometimes a dot or a 

 circle appears in the center of each of the four world-quarters: the 

 swastika is undoubtedly derived from this sign. The serpent, which 

 may be regarded as the god of wind, rain, and water, 

 and the antithesis of the sun, often appears in com- 

 bination with the cosmic symbol or parts thereof. 

 The shell serpent gorgets of Tennessee are well- 

 known examples. In these, the serpent is coiled in 

 the center of the disc and the four arms of the Fig. i.— Combined cos- 

 cross connect it with the outer circle as in figure I. nuc and serpent sym- 

 A rarer form in shell of a serpent head with a 

 circle and cross, also from Tennessee, is also shown in the accom- 

 panying drawing. 1 



Returning to the copper symbol (pi. I, k), it is at once apparent 

 that we have a serpent head in combination with the cosmic sign. 

 The outline of the latter instead of being circular conforms to and 

 forms a part of the outline of the head, and the arms of the cross 

 which radiate from the central sun circle are unequal. In the serpent 

 portion of the symbol we have the forked tongue (which was not 

 attached to the head when found, but evidently belongs with it), the 

 nostrils, eyes, two U-shaped designs back of the eyes, and on each 

 side near the base of the head an eye-like design with two curved 

 tooth-like appendages, analogous to those on the mica serpent shown 

 on plate IX, m. These probably represent the four horns which 

 appear on most serpent designs north of Mexico, and replace the 

 plumes of the serpent deity of Mexico and Central America. 



With the above interpretation in mind, we will turn to the draw- 

 ing of the Serpent Mound with a clearer understanding of this remark- 

 able effigy, which probably represents a serpent in its entirety, com- 

 bined with the cosmic symbol. 



The outline of the serpent head is marked by the interrupted 

 oval, from the front of which projects the tongue. It is interesting 

 to note that in MacLean's drawing there are two narrow diverging 

 projections from the sides of this appendage near its free end, which 

 he calls the fore-legs of the "frog". If these pointed projections 

 really existed, they undoubtedly represented the fork of the tongue. 

 The inner oval inclosing the altar of stones where fires symbolizing 



1 The Archaeologist, vol. II, p. 12. 

 [471] 



