The concept of associating colors with the 4 cardinal directions is common to many Native American tribes. The colors often carry ceremonial and spiritual significance representing ideas such as the seasons, the elements, and stages of life. While there are some similarities between tribes, there are also many differences in how colors are assigned. Here is an overview of the directional color symbolism in some major Native American cultures.
The Four Directions
In Native American culture, the four cardinal directions – east, south, west and north – represent not just physical locations but also deeper spiritual meanings and sacred powers. Each direction is associated with a particular color, element, season, stage of life, and symbolic animal. Together the four directions create a kind of sacred circle describing the circle of life and interconnection of all living things.
The following are general associations shared by many tribes:
| Direction | Color | Element | Season | Stage of Life | Animal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East | Red/Yellow | Air | Spring | Birth | Eagle |
| South | Red | Fire | Summer | Youth | Mouse |
| West | Black | Water | Autumn | Adulthood | Bear |
| North | White | Earth | Winter | Elderhood | Buffalo |
However, there are also many tribal variations when it comes to directional color meanings. Let’s take a closer look at some specifics.
Lakota Sioux
For the Lakota Sioux, the four directions represent stages in the life cycle:
- East (yellow) – Wiyohpeyata – “Sun direction” or “place where the sun rises” – birth and spring
- South (red) – Itokaga – “Growth” or “First breath” – youth and summer
- West (black) – Wiyohiyampa – “Maturity” or “Reflection” – adulthood and autumn
- North (white) – Waziyata – “Elderhood” or “Cleansing” – wisdom and winter
These colors appear consistently in Lakota Sioux ceremonies, art, clothing and navigation. Each direction also has a corresponding animal guardian spirit.
Navajo
For the Navajo, the four sacred directions are:
- East (white) – Associated with dawn, sunrise, and new beginnings
- South (blue) – Associated with warmth, youth, and growth
- West (yellow) – Associated with sunset, maturity, and self-reflection
- North (black) – Associated with darkness, wisdom, and ancestors
These colors have symbolic meaning related to Navajo spiritual beliefs. White dawn in the east signifies peace. Blue south relates to clear skies. Yellow west marks the passage of time. Black north represents rain clouds and life-giving water.
Cherokee
The Cherokee assign the four colors:
- East (red) – Success and triumph
- South (white) – Peace and happiness
- West (black) – Death and sadness
- North (blue) – Defeat and trouble
These colors relate to war and illustrate desirable versus undesirable outcomes when embarking on raids against enemy tribes. Red in the direction of the rising sun signifies warfare and victory. White in the southern lands where the Cherokee Nation lived signifies peace. Black in the west indicates grief when warriors do not return home. Blue in the north represents failed raids into enemy territory.
Hopi
For the Hopi tribe the four sacred directions are:
- East (yellow) – Qöyangwvi – The place of sunrise
- South (blue) – Qötsyawvi – The place of everlasting summer
- West (red) – Qötopawa – The place where the sun sets
- North (white) – Qötqyaqvngwu – The place of everlasting winter
These colors represent the spirits of seasonal rains and winds which sustain the Hopi lands. Yellow dawn brings life-giving spring rains. Blue southern summer winds provide moisture during the growing season. Red western sunsets signal the harvest rains of autumn. White northern winter snows represent spiritual cleansing and renewal.
Pueblo
For the Pueblo tribes of the Southwest, the four sacred directions are:
- East (red) – Dawn
- South (yellow) – Noon
- West (blue) – Dusk
- North (white) – Night
These colors represent the daylight cycle and seasonal passages. Red dawn brings new beginnings in spring. Yellow noon signifies the height of summer. Blue dusk represents the harvest season of autumn. White night embodies the cold darkness of winter.
Conclusion
While there are some common associations between Native American tribes regarding the colors of the four sacred directions, each culture also has its own unique spiritual symbolism tied to the colors.
Key similarities across tribes include:
- East representing birth or new beginnings, associated with springtime
- South representing youth and growth, associated with summer
- West representing maturity and elderhood, associated with autumn
- North representing wisdom and ancestors, associated with winter
However, the exact colors assigned to each direction vary between tribes. Common color associations by direction include:
- East: Red, yellow, white
- South: Red, blue, yellow
- West: Black, yellow, red
- North: Black, blue, white
The colors carry deep symbolism related to each tribe’s rituals, ceremonies, spiritual narratives, and connections to the seasons and nature. While representing similar principles, directional colors hold unique meanings for tribes based on geography, language, history and culture.
Understanding Native American directional color symbolism provides insight into indigenous cosmologies and worldviews. The colors reflect how tribes relate to the seasonal cycles, elements, and stages of life. Above all, they represent how Native Americans perceive their profound spiritual relationship with the natural world and universe.
