SYMBOLISM OF THE NAVAJO TURQuoISE NECKLACE

Turquoise: A Gift From the Holy People

It's rich, blue color represents the Blue world. When we wear our turquoise, we are showing the Holy People... we know we came from their presence.  And, when we pray while wearing our Turquoise, the Holy People see and say, "There is one of our children who knows where they come from. What are they asking for? Let's give it to them". 

The White Shell 

Two shell beads between every turquoise stone represents male and female. Except for one small section with four white shells. These four shell beads are symbolic of the four worlds. The four sacred directions. The four sacred mountains. The four seasons of the year. The four stages of life. The number four is sacred and represented often in Navajo culture.

Two Loops & Two Strands 

In ceremonial settings, the concept of Male and Female is important. The hogan is divided into the male and female. 

It is said all things are either male or female. But, the Five-fingered being is both... male and female. The gentle side and the masculine side.  From jagged male rocks to smooth female rocks. Gentle female rain to violent male thunderstorm. To our Diné, all things are male or female. The two strands and two loops symbolize this. 

Red Coral

The bridge to the next place... the Fourth world. The Glittering World or the White World. The journey all must take eventually... is done on the rainbow. The top color of the rainbow is red. This is the path to the next world... this is the bridge the Holy People use to go between worlds. This is the symbolism of the red coral beads. 

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