Dily4h4
(Pleiades, Seven Sisters)

Dily4h4 is the most highly ordered of all the Navajo constellations, epitomizing the Navajo emphasis on order and balance. This distinctive star cluster is probably the most easily recognizable of the Navajo constellations (Griffin-Pierce 1992a:158). To the naked eye the stars of this constellation appear as a sort of tiny dipper, the Navajo depict them as three pairs of stars with the seventh star that “always follows the six important stars of the constellation” (Williamson 1984:165). The name Dily4h4 is clouded in obscurity, suggesting no plausible interpretation. Of the eight constellations, this is the only one whose name lacks an agreed-upon translation. Max Littlesalt translated this term as “Sparkling Figure.” One of Griffin-Pierce's informants said it represents “very fine sparkling particles which were neat and pretty when laid upon the ground, then they were placed in the sky by First Man and First Woman. They were created as very fine particles.” (Griffin-Pierce 1992a:157-158).

Dily4h4 is used as a seasonal marker. Its appearance at twilight in the evening sky (October) indicates that it is safe to perform the Nightway ceremonial. In April, when Dily4h4 is no longer visible in the evening sky, performance of the Nightway is discontinued (Griffin-Pierce 1992a:162). In late June, when Dily4h4 begins to appear in the early morning sky, the Navajo know that all planting must stop. Crops planted later will not reach maturity before the first frost (Williamson 1984:165). “Dily4h4 must not see you plant” (Griffin-Pierce 1992a:166).

Chanters use Dily4h4 as a clock during ceremonials. Its position in the night sky provides a rough estimate of the time. In this way, chanters know whether to add or delete songs so that the closing or dawn song will correspond to the break of day. (Griffin-Pierce 1992a:162).

Dily4h4 plays a pivotal role in one of several stellar creation myths. The interplay of order and disorder is a key feature in most of these myths. According to the Navajo, the stars which create patterns were placed by the Holy People. Those which do not were scattered randomly by Coyote, an impulsive trickster (Griffin-Pierce 1992a:83). Haashch'44shzhin7, or Black God, is the supernatural most closely associated with placing the constellations in the sky. He is also known as Fire God. Not everyone credits him with stellar creation, but all agree that he is responsible for the fire and light found in stars (Haile 1947:2). The following myth is from the Upward Reachingway:

When Black God first entered the hogan of creation Dily4h4, a small cluster of stars, was attached to his ankle. This was noticed by several other gods in the hogan. To demonstrate his power, Black God stamped his foot, causing Dily4h4 to jump to his knee. When he stamped his foot a second time Dily4h4 moved to his hip. The other gods nodded in approval. A third stamp brought Dily4h4 to his shoulder. The fourth and final stamp brought it to his left temple, at which point Black God exclaimed, “There it shall stay!”. By placing Dily4h4 where he wanted it, Black God demonstrated to the other gods that he had the power to beautify the sky by placing the stars in ordered arrays. The other gods encouraged him to continue. Black God began to withdraw crystals from his fawnskin pouch, placing them carefully in the sky to create designs. First, in the south, he made Man with Feet Ajar, then Horned Rattler, Bear, Thunder, and First Big One. In the north he made Male and Female Revolving Ones. Finally, he made Slender First One, the Pinching or Doubtful Stars, and Rabbit Tracks, then he placed Dily4h4 in the sky. After adding igniter stars to each constellation he sprinkled fine crystal chips in a band across the sky, thus creating the Milky Way. Then Coyote, the trickster, entered the hogan of creation. When Coyote learned that he was not consulted about the placement of the stars, he snatched the fawnskin bag from Black God and blew the contents across the sky. This explains why the stars placed by Black God have names and those scattered randomly by Coyote do not. However, one large crystal remained in the bag. Embarrassed by his actions, Coyote carefully placed it in the south. Today it is called Coyote’s star or the “Monthless” star. (Adapted from Haile 1947:1-3).

An informant once told Father Haile that the reason we don’t know the translation of Dily4h4 is because Coyote queered things in the beginning (Haile 1947:28). Because of its neatness, Dily4h4 is often treated as a symbol for all the constellations (Griffin-Pierce 1992a:158).

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