According to the Navajo religion, the Universe is a very delicately balanced thing. If this balance is upset, some disaster - usually an illness - will follow. To restore the balance and harmony means performing one of the many Navajo chants or ways. These complex ceremonies involve the use of herbs, prayers, songs and sandpaintings.
The sandpainting is done in a careful and sacred manner, according to the ancient knowledge of the art. As the patient is seated atop the completed sandpainting, the medicine man bends to reverently touch a portion of a figure in the sandpainting, and then moves to touch the patient, transferring the medicine and power.
As this is done, the sickness falls from the person and harmony returns. Then, before the sun sets the sandpainting is erased with a sacred feather, and the patient rises to walk in beauty once again.
Size: 20-5/8 in. x 20-5/8 in.
Yei Bi Chei
The Yei Bi Chei figures in this sandpainting are supernatural deities from the Navajo religion. The Yei Bi Chei symbols within a sandpainting ceremony serve as a pathway through which evil is neutralized and the healing power of the Holy One produces a cure. Depending on the ceremony being performed, different Yei Bi Chei are called upon to assist in the purification or healing. Yei Bi Cheis can either appear singularly or with several other Yei Bi Cheis.
