In Western ideology, the directional compass points north. For Navajos, everything begins with the east (ha'a'aah). The east represents the beginning. Everything else continues in the direction of the sun (shá bik'ehgo), or clockwise, ending with the north (náhookos). This concept represents the path of human life: childbirth (ha'a'aah - east), childhood (shádí'aah - south), adulthood (e'e'aah - west), & old age (náhookos - death). The Navajo prayer follows this direction to illustrate completeness.

The prayer begins by acknowledging Mother Earth (Nahasdzáán) & Father Sky (Yádiłhił). In Navajo ideology everything exists in pairs, typically male (bika̜’) & female (ba’áád) forms. The male form is typically rugged & uncontrolled like male rain (níłtsá bika̜’), which is windy with thunder & lightening. The female rain (níłtsá ba’áád) is gentle & falls evenly.

In addition, sacred concepts exist in multiples of four. The four sacred mountains (Dził Dadiyinii) are mentioned next, beginning with the mountain in the east & ending with the mountain in the north. Two mountains within the four sacred mountains are then mentioned. Huerfano Mesa (Dził Ná’oodiłii - Whirling Mountain) is where First Man (Áłtsé Hastiin) & First Woman (Áłtsé Asdzá̜á̜) originally lived. Gobernaor Knob (Ch’óol’í̜’í - Fir Mountain) is where Changing Woman (Asdzá̜á̜ Nádleehí) was born.

The prayer continues, mentioning sacred concepts in pairs. The Holy People (Diyin Dine’é) are mentioned next. Their significance in Navajo culture is too extensive to be described here.

Yódí ałtaas’éí represent turquoise jewelry, rugs, baskets, etc., that are used in ceremonies. Nitł’iz ałtaas’éí are small sacred stones that are used as offerings in ceremonies, to plants from which medicine is collected, etc. Tádídíín (corn pollen) is also used in offering & prayers as well.

Tó ałtah naashchíín (also called tó ałah naashchíín) are four different types of water collected from the four directions to make ceremonial water. This water is collected from rough stream water from the east, hail water from the south, rain water from the west, & snow water from the north. These represent the male forms of water. Tó biyáázh is spring water, which represents the female form of water. Smooth flowing streams or rivers are also female waters (i.e. Tó Ba’áád - Female River or the Rio Grande).

The prayer concludes with saying, "Hózhó̜ náhásdlí̜í̜’," four times to represent completeness of the prayer. Though it can be said that this information should not be posted because it is sacred, recording the language & saving it is vital for language & culture preservation. That is the intent of posting this information here.