Cross & Crosses: Dragonfly Cross

Dragonfly Cross
Zuni, New Mexico, c. 20th century
Wood, 8 inches

Traditional dragonfly crosses are silver, part of impressive bead and cross necklaces, and predate the arrival of Christianity, although there was some assimulation of Christian cross styles after the inital contact. This cross is carved from cottonwood and very lightly painted. The cross references the legend of the Zuni and Hopi not Christianity. The legend of the dragonfly is as follows. A boy creates a dragonfly from grass and paint for his sister. The dragonfly comes to life and, sadly, flies away. Later, when the boy and girl are alone and starving, the dragonfly returns with corn maidens bringing food, seeds, and rain. To show his gratitude for saving their lives, the boy promises to paint the dragonfly on sacred items. Most modern pieces place a heart at the bottom of the cross. This story and much more information on the history of this cross can be found in Allison Bird, Heart of the Dragonfly: The Historical Development of the Cross Necklaces of the Pueblo and Navajo People. The image also appears in different locations. The Phoebe A. Hearst Museum, University of California, Berkeley, has on exhibit a 19th century plains Indian narrative painting on rawhide showing a rider on a horse carrying a shield with a dragonfly cross.

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