Sun Symbolism

In Diné (Navajo) belief, the sun itself is a large circle of stone created by the Diyin Dine’é (Holy People) to provide light for this world. They fastened the sun disc to the sky in the east, but soon realized the stationary position of the sun was scorching the eastern landscape and leaving the west in winter. Jóhonaaʼéí (Sun Carrier) agreed to leave his earthly existence to become an immortal being and carry the sun across the sky each day. Sun Carrier is a figure of power, clarity, high standards, and extreme discipline in Diné culture. He applied his high standards and discipline to his own children, the Hero Twins. Before he would provide the twins with weapons to battle the Naayéé’ (Alien Monsters), Sun Carrier required them to undergo four life-threatening tests to prove their worthiness. And it is only with Sun Carrier’s power striking the first blow that the twins are able to defeat Yéʼiitsoh (Big Monster).