Navajo rug, approximately 90"x51", not dyed, all natural wool. Symmetrical, simple cross pattern. The origin of the American Indian Cross symbol traces back to the ancient Mississippian culture of the Mound Builders of North America. The Cross was an important symbol in the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex of American prehistory. The Navajo retain some elements of the Mississippi culture such as the symbolism of the Cross, as well as other rites, myths and symbols presumed to descend from the Mississippians. The simple shape of the cross sign was easy to implement into any creation, whether structural with natural items such as stones and wood, or in artifacts such as baskets, rugs, dress, jewelry, etc. and it was often combined with other symbols to create different meanings. The Cross symbolized many things to ancient peoples, such as the 4 directions, the division between heaven and earth, the spiritual and physical, or life and death, the 4 seasons, the 4 original peoples who populated the Earth, the relationship of the sun to the Earth and many more key concepts denoting an understanding of our world. Date: c1930sCountry (if not USA): State: City: Provenance: