The Navajo Indians have a rich spiritual culture. Their religious practices and beliefs have many sacred aspects. A very interesting aspect are the healing ceremonies in which their shaman or healer, as we might call him, creates sand paintings. I will provide a brief history and significance of these religious objects, specifically sand paintings, as well as the purposes and beliefs surrounding them, as well as the debate that sparked their production into a permanent art form. The Navajo Indians may have obtained some of their rituals and agricultural knowledge from the Pueblo Indians of the Rio Grande region. This may be due in part to the fact that there are at least 160 documented similarities between the two Indian nations. These include murals that appear on kiva walls, sand paintings, the use of symbolic colors, prayer sticks, and other ceremonial similarities (Griffin-pierce 1955:13). The Navajo believe that there was a group of beings on earth before man existed here. They are called the “Holy People”, also known as “Dineh”. The names given to these divine beings are "First Man", "Changing Woman", "Spider Woman", "Monster Slayer", "Born of/for Water" and many others. It is believed that these saints had many sacred and preserved designs on cobwebs, buckskins and clouds as well as parts of the sky. Navajo legend states that when the "First Man" guided the "First People" to this world, he had permission from the other "dineh" to copy these sacred images so that they would have a way to obtain aid. of the holy people in time of need. . The only stipulation that was put was that they could only be made with sand on the g...... middle of paper ...... to paint designs one must know how to construct the craft weaving, spinning yarn and the skill of weaving patterns. It requires many years of training as well as dedication due to the time involved. My favorite part of this project was learning all the different aspects of making sand paintings. Especially ceremonial paintings, because these are the ones that must be perfect according to Navajo tradition and belief in order to work. Sand paintings made for tourist and commercial sale also require extensive training due to the many unique aspects of this craft. You need to know what rocks, plants and sand should be used to produce the desired effect. What type of adhesive to use and what suitable panel to use as a background. All of these aspects are crucial in the creation and successful marketing of these works..