Figures e and f of [plate clvi] are avian decorations, reduced in the case of the former to geometric forms. The triangular figure is a marked feature in the latter design.
The designs represented in [plate clvii] are aberrant bird forms. Of these a and b are the simplest and c one of the most complicated. Figure d is interpreted as a double bird, or twins with a common head and tails pointing in opposite directions. Figure e shows a bird in profile with one wing, furnished with triangular feathers, extended. There is some doubt about the identification of f as a bird, but there is no question that the wing, tail, and breath feathers are represented in it. Of the last mentioned there are three, shown by the notch, colored black at their extremities.
Vegetal Designs
Inasmuch as they so readily lend themselves as a motive of decoration, it is remarkable that the ancient Hopi seem to have used plants and their various organs so sparingly in their pottery painting. Elsewhere, especially among modern Pueblos, this is not the case, and while plants, flowers, and leaves are not among the common designs on modern Tusayan ware, they are often employed. It would appear that the corn plant or fruit would be found among other designs, especially as corn plays a highly symbolic part in mythic conceptions, but we fail to find it used as a decoration on any ancient vessel.
BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY—— SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. CLII
FOOD BOWLS WITH BIRD, FEATHER, AND FLOWER SYMBOLS FROM SIKYATKI
BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY—— SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. CLIII
FOOD BOWLS WITH FIGURES OF BIRDS AND FEATHERS FROM SIKYATKI