Fig. 22.
The thirteen moons of the year are named differently by different Indian tribes. I will give the names and symbols commonly used by the Sioux, beginning with nature’s new year, the early spring.
| 1. Ish-tah´-wee-chah´-ya-zan-wee. | Moon of Sore Eyes. |
| 2. Mah-gah´-o-kah´-dah-wee. | Moon of Ducks’ Eggs. |
| 3. Wah-to´-pah-wee. | Canoeing Moon. |
| 4. Wee´-pah-zoo-kah-wee. | June-Berry Moon. |
| 5. Wah-shoon´-pah-wee. | Moon of Moulting Feathers. |
| 6. Chan-pah-sap´-ah-wee. | Moon of Black Cherries. |
| 7. Psin-ah´-tee-wee. | Wild-Rice Gathering Moon. |
| 8. Wah-soo´-ton-wee’. | Moon of Green Corn. |
| 9. Wok´-sah-pee-wee’. | Moon of Corn Harvest. |
| 10. Tah-kee´-yoo-hah´-wee’. | Moon of Mating Deer. |
| 11. Tah-hay´-chap-shoon´-wee. | Moon of Dropping Deer horns. |
| 12. Wee-tay´-ghee. | Moon of Severe Cold. |
| 13. We-chah´-tah-wee. | Raccoon’s Moon. |
In the old days, there were many different bands of the Sioux, who wandered, during the year, over a wide extent of country. Thus news was spread both by signal communication and by pictographs, when it was impossible to communicate by word of mouth. This particular message of Charging Eagle’s was not only news, but also a warning to travelers to be on their guard, for the enemy might seek to retaliate, and some innocent persons be surprised and made to pay dearly for another’s exploit.
In picture-writing, the head of man or animal is emphasized, with its distinguishing peculiarity of head-gear, or ears, or horns, while the body is barely outlined. The warrior is represented by a rude figure of a man wearing a war-bonnet, or carrying a coup-staff. Warriors returning successful are shown approaching a group of teepees, carrying scalps on poles. If, on the contrary, the writer’s camp has been raided, the figures are seen departing from the teepees. A trail, or journey, is indicated by double wavy lines. If the travelers parted, the trail is branched.
