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The Navajo - Dine
Sacred
Mountains
SISNAAJINI (Yoolgaii Dzil) EAST
Sisnaajini (Yoolgaii Dzil - Strength of White Gem Beads). The Holy People transformed the sacred mountain and then attired it with precious gems of white beads with pur white and black feathers. Sisnaajini is the eastern pillar of this great sanctuary. The white symbolizes purity and gentleness. It also symbolizes the reproduction of the (Dine') people. This is the beginning of sanctification to the greatest sanctuary on earth.
Nihii Dzil (Our mountain and our strength): When the Holy People laid the foundation and stretched out the universe, they placed the sun to rule the day, the moon to rule the night and placed stars throughout the universe. The Holy People formed the earth and placed mountains and oceans according to the heavenly sanctuary. They blessed the universe with pollen of stars, the earth with pollen of vegetation, mountains with dew and the ocean with pollen of creatures. The Dine' were present with the Holy People when they laid the foundation.
Sa'ah naaghai Bik'eh ho'zho'n Dzil: The four sacred mountains within the great sanctuary of the Dine' are mythical of heavenly display. When the Dine' leave this world, the Dine' will always return to heaven within the four sacred mountains. The English name for this moutain is Sierra Blanca Peak/Mount Blanca (White Shell Mountain) wich has an elevation of 14,345 feet above sea level, located in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains near Alamos, Colorado.
TSOODZIL (Dootl'izhii Dzil) SOUTH
Tsoodzil (Dootl'izhii Dzil - Turquoise Mountain of Strength, Forward Strength) existed before any creation of the earth and is the main southern pillar of the sanctuary. The Holy People transform this sacred mountain, attired it in precious gems of turquoise from its foot to its crown. It holds a turquoise staff in its hand which holds power and authority of endless blue universe (heaven). This sacred sanctuary will be seen in heaven just like here on earth. The Din¢ will do all that is possible for their strength is unlimited for their survival.
Dzil Naat'aah (Mountain of Strength in Government) has been with the Dine' from time immemoral, will always be eternal. Dzil Naat'ÁÁh is the basic ground of Dine' government, beliefs, and the way of life. Dzil Naat'ÁÁh is also attributed to Tsoodzil when it was formed by Sa'ah 'eh ho'zho'o'n. These Holy People are the pillar of government. This is the faith that the Dine' have prospered upon through generations. Our sacred prayers and ceremonies shall behold the Sa'ah naaghai Bik'eh ho'zho'o'n Dziil which majestically overlooks the Dine'. The Dine' were here yesterday, is here today, and will be here tomorrow. The English name is Mount Taylor (Turquoise Mountain) with the elevation of 11,301 feet above sea level, located in the San Juan Mountains, near Grants, New Mexico.
DOOK'O'OOSLIID (Diichili Dzil) WEST
Dook'o'oosliid (Diichili Dzil - Abalone Mountain): This sacred mountain contains many beautiful colors, which represents the twilight horizon closest to the evening. The Holy People transform this sacred mountain and attired in beautiful abalone from its feet to its crown, holding an abalone staff in the right hand, rules the twilight into the evening.
Dzil Naat'aah (Mountain of Strength and Government): the Holy People, the earth and universe agreed that the manifestation was the only answer to the dissension between the earth and the universe. This became the covenant and it was fulfilled with the Birth of Dawn.
Before the manifestation, the Dine' lived within the sacred mountains and possessed the sacred mountain medicine bundle. The Dine' existed within the sacred mountain, therefore, they called this sacred mountain, their mother.
Sa' ah naaghai Bik'eh ho'zho Dzil will always be a part of the Dine'. The Holy People have on display the sacred mountains as it is seen on earth with Sa' ah naaghai Bik'eh ho'zho bestwoed in each of the sacred mountains with their omniscient power. The English name is Humphreys Peaks (Abalone Mountain) with an elevation of 12,633 feet above sea level, located in the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Arizona.
DIBE NTSAA (Baasnzhinii Dzil) NORTH
Dibe Ntsaa (Jet Mountain - Onyx Strength): This pillar is to the North
of the Dines' Great sanctuary. The Holy People attired this mountain in
beautiful onyx from the feet to the crown. It is also holding an onyx
in the right hand to rule the darkness. It has sovereign power and authority
over the underworld. Most of the sacred ceremonies, chants, prayers and
history of the Dine' originated around this great mountain.
Dzil Naat'aah (Mountain of Strength in Government) represents the male
sacred mountain bundle and is perceived as the most sacred. The Dine'
was placed within the four sacred mountains and surrounded by the Holy
People for protection and blessings. The English name is Mount Hesperus
with an elevation of 13,225 feet above sea level and is located in the
La Plata Mountains near Durango, Colorado.
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