kokopelli legends

8/14/2019 Kokopelli Legends

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Kokopelli Legends & Lore

Kokopelli is a Hopi wordmeaning (roughly) wooden-backed;

most of the familiar depictions ofKokopelli are copied from Hopi art,

which in turn is derived from ancient Anasazi glyphs.

Ko-ko-pel-li (k k pel l)n. {der. Hopi "kokopilau" (koko = wood, pilau = hump)}

the humpbacked Flute Player, mythical Hopi symbol of fertility,replenishment, music, dance, and mischief.

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Who WasKokopelli?

Known as a fertility god, prankster, healer and story teller, Kokopellihas been a source of wonder throughout the country for centuries.Kokopelli embodies the true American Southwest, and dates backover 3,000 years ago, when the first petroglyphs were carved.

Although his true origins are unknown, this traveling, flute-playingCasanova is a sacred figure to many Southwestern Native Americans.Carvings of this hunch-backed flute-playing figure have been found

painted and carved into rock walls and boulders throughout theSouthwest.
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There are many myths of the famous Kokopelli. One of which is that

he traveled from village to village bringing the changing of winter tospring; melting the snow and bringing about rain for a successfulharvest. It is also said that the hunch on his back depicted the sacks ofseeds and songs he carried. Legend also has it that the flute playingalso symbolized the transition of winter to spring. Kokopellis flute issaid to be heard in the springs breeze, while bringing warmth. It isalso said that he was the source of human conception. Legend has it,everyone in the village would sing and dance throughout the night

when they heard Kokopelli play his flute. The next morning, everymaiden in the village would be with child.

Whatever the true meaning of Kokopelli is, he has been a source ofmusic making and dancing, and spreading joy to those around him.Even today, Kokopelli, with his hunchback and flute, is always

welcome in our homes.

The legend of Kokopelli (pronounced "Coke-a-pellie") is well-preserved in ancient rock carvings and paintings dating back as far as3,000 years. His legend however, is no less popular today - havingsurvived more than one hundred generations. Below, is a compilationof stories collected through many hours of research. Certainly, youcan find more stories (and images in Art) on the World wide web.

Kokopelli, distinguished by his hunch-back, dancing pose, and flute,is the only anthropomorphic petroglyph to have a name, an identity,and an established gender. His name may have been derived from theZuni name for god ("Koko") and the Indian name for the Desert
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Robber Fly ("pelli"). His association with the Desert Robber Fly maystem from the fact that this insect too, has a hump on his back and aprominent proboscis. But, Kokopelli is known by other names, as

well. To the Hopi, he is known as "Kokopilau" - meaning "woodhump". To others, he is known as Kokopele, Kokopetiyot, and

Olowlowishkya. He also bears a nickname - "Casanova of the CliffDwellers", a tribute to his image and legend. Kokopelli's lesser knownfemale counterpart is known as "Kokopelli Mana".

Kokopelli is a prehistoric deity depicted frequently in ancient rockart, estimated to be over a thousand years old.

Found throughout the mountains, deserts, and high plains of thesouthwestern United States. Frequently shown as a hump-backedflute player, this mythic being has survived in recognizable form from

Anasazi times to the present.

There is an appealing and timeless quality about Kokopelli whichfascinates everyone, even in our modern technological age.

Other Names

KokopeleKokopelli-mana or Kokopelmana

(actually, Kokopelli's wife - Hohokam)KokopeltiyoKokopilau

Neopkwai'i (Pueblo)Ololowishkya (Zuni)

Sacred Path Cards

The Discovery of Self through Native TeachingsBy Jamie Sams

"If Kokopelli has lured you with his magical flute, it is time to listen tohis song.

This song is one of fertility. You are being asked to use your talents tocreate fertility in some area of your life. If things have been slow

moving,
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Kokopelli's song is saying that whatever you intend to plant at thistime will

be very productive for you.

Planting seeds for the future takes effort on your part, so now is thetime to use your skill and resources to make use of the magic.If you have a project to begin or an idea to develop, the timing

couldn't be better.Shift away from any old, limiting ideas and move forward. The time is

now - the power is you !"

The Ballad of Kokopelli

A strange lonely figure stares out of the pastwhere engraved by an artist in stone

Held firm by the sand in which he is cast,these last thousand years quite alone.Could he be listening, trying to hear

moccasins scuffing the butte?Bringing the people once again near

to hear Kokopelli's sweet flute?

His image inscribed on a thousand rock facesfrom east to the great western sea;

From Sonora's hot sun to the north glaciers bases,proclaiming this loved tutelary.

Though powers possessed and methods employedare often in open dispute;

One thing is agreed, the people did loveto hear Kokopelli's sweet flute.
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This stick figure man, with a hump on his backseemed always to cast a good feeling;

His magic perhaps, taken out of his packwould comfort the sick and do healing.

Whatever his talents, they surely were grand,

a fact no one cares to refute,As people would come from afar in the land,to hear Kokopelli's sweet flute.

Kokopelli play for me,So my heart may sing,

Magic flute of mystery,Fruitful dreams you bring.Song of Aztlan,

Fertile Fire,Canyons of my mind,

Sacred union,Heart to heart,

Speaks of the Divine.

Kokopelli

I am Kokopelli,All are Kokopelli.

There is nothing that is not Kokopelli.I as Kokopelli am myself, in search of Kokopelli.

When Kokopelli meets Kokopelli,Kokopelli is pleased.

All who know the mystery of Kokopelli's play,Sense the future that is on it's way.

Listen for the simple beauty of the flute,It hearkens the truth and enlightens the route.
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Go Kokopelli!Kokopelli.

His Images

Kokopelli's image varies as much as the legends about him, but he isgenerally depicted as a hunch-back flute player in a dancing pose witha festive crest on his head, and sometimes exhibiting male genitalia ofexaggerated size. Images painted on ceramics ten centuries ago by theHohokam (Arizona Pueblo) have become the prototype for modernrepresentations.
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Kokopelli's hump is sometimes represented as an arc which covershis entire back. Other times, it covers only the lower half of his back.His arms are usually represented as a "V" shape with his elbowspointing down toward the Earth. His forward leg is usuallyrepresented as a continuation of the curved line which outlines his

hump. Likewise, his rear leg is usually represented as a continuationof the front line of his body. The flute, which is actually a nose flute, isusually represented as a straight line, or pair of straight lines.Sometimes, however, it is curved. Often, it has a bulbous end - like theend of a clarinet. An even number of crest elements are usually foundon Kokopelli's head. In Pueblo culture, the festive crest represents thepaired antennae of the katydid (grasshopper), with which he issometimes associated. When being represented in the "Spirit World",he appears with feathers on his head. In other depictions, the crest onhis head represents rays of light.

When present, Kokopelli's phallus is unusually long and erect,symbolizing the fertile seeds of human reproduction. It usuallyprojects upward from the lower body and is sometimes onlyrepresented as a single line or arrow. His phallus is clearly depictedin a thousand year old bowl displayed at Mesa Verde National Park. Itis thought that Kokopelli's image was "cleaned up" over the years (hisphallus depicted less often) due, in part, to the influence of Catholic

priests who worked hard to Christianize the natives of the AmericanSouthwest. In the modern genre, Kokopelli often wears a kilt and asash.

Contemporary artists who have playfully portrayed Kokopelli as askier, scuba diver, golfer, and rock star can be found, for sure. Butthere is no documentation to support the historical accuracy of any ofthese representations, except perhaps, his portrayal as a rock star. Hecertainly appears on many rocks in the Southwest!

His Legends


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The legend of Kokopelli is wonderfully rich and entertaining. Though,his origin as a deity and the evolution of his role in SouthwesternIndian culture is difficult, if not impossible, to reconstruct. Evidenced

by a huge number of ancient artifacts, it is clear that Kokopelli wasimportant to many Native American tribes. He is especiallyprominent in the ancient Anasazi culture of the "Four Corners" area(Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah). Some have compared hisimportance to the Southwestern Indians to that of Abraham to theJews and that of Paul to the Christians.

Still revered by current descendants of Native Americans (includingthe Hopi, Taos, and Acoma Pueblo peoples), he is truly one of themost intriguing and widespread images to have survived from ancientIndian mythology. His whimsical nature, charitable deeds, and vitalspirit are the primary reasons why he achieved such a prominentposition in Native American mysticism. He possessed a playful,carefree nature that seemed to bring out the "good" in everyone.Kokopelli is so irresistibly charismatic that he has been reinventedtime and time again for thousands of years by storytellers, artists, andcraftsmen. Many people, like the hosts of KokOasis.com, believe hismagical properties still delight and abound.
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Known to some as a magician, to others he was a storyteller, teacher,healer, trickster, trader, or god of the harvest. Some even creditKokopelli with being the "original" journalist. Almost universallyhowever, he was regarded as a harbinger of fertility, assuring successin hunting, growing crops, and human conception. The Anasazi, who

were first to claim Kokopelli, were primarily farmers who grew corn,beans, and squash on the Colorado Plateau. They regarded Kokopellias a fertility symbol and he was always welcomed during cornplanting season. A visit from Kokopelli insured that a good harvest

was in store. According to Navajo legend, Kokopelli was the God ofHarvest and Plenty - a benign minor god who brought abundant rainand food to people. The Zuni also regarded him as a Rain Priest, ableto make it rain at will.

Others regarded him as a Spiritual Priest with actual healing powers.When Hopi women could not bear children, they would seek him out

because he was able to restore their childbearing powers. Accordingto Hopi legend, Kokopelli spent most of his time sewing seed andseducing the daughters of the village while his wife, Kokopelli Mana,ran after the men! The Winnebago believed Kokopelli was capable ofdetaching his penis (ouch) and sending it down the river to "have his

way" with the innocent young maidens who were bathing in thestream.

The lore of southern Utah paints Kokopelli as a little man who used totravel throughout the villages carrying a bag of corn seed on his back,teaching the people how to plant as he traveled. He was also said to

have traded beads and shells for pieces of turquoise. Some speculatethat this image of Kokopelli may have been derived from travelingtraders of the time who announced their arrival by playing a flute asthey approached - a tradition that is still practiced in Central America.
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Many different legends exist about what Kokopelli actually carried inhis sack. In Pueblo myths, he carried seeds, babies, and blankets tooffer the maidens he seduced. According to the Navajo, his hump wasmade of clouds filled with seeds and rainbows. In the Hopi village ofOraibi, they believe he carried deer skin shirts and moccasins whichhe used to barter for brides or babies which he left with the young

women. Others believe that Kokopelli's sack contained the seeds of allthe plants and flowers of the world, which he scattered every Spring.

According to San Ildefonso legend, Kokopelli was a wanderingminstrel who carried songs on his back, trading new songs for oldones. According to this legend, Kokopelli brought good luck andprosperity to anyone who listened to his songs. Kokopelli embodiedeverything pure and spiritual about music. He and his magical flutetraveled from village to village bestowing gifts and spreading cheer toall whom he visited. His flute was said to symbolize happiness and

joy. When he played his flute, the sun came out, the snow melted,grass began to grow, birds began to sing, and all the animals gatheredaround to hear his songs. His flute music soothed the Earth and made

it ready to receive his seed. The magic of his flute was also thought tostimulate creativity and help good dreams come true.

The above information is from Kokoasis who writes:

"Our own interest and enthusiasm about Kokopelli started in the fallof 1998 when we discovered him in Arizona. As we have learned moreabout the legends and lore associated with him, we have incorporatedhis images (and, indeed, his spirit) in the way we manage ourproperties."
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http://www.indigenouspeople.net/kokopelli.htm
http://www.indigenouspeople.net/kokopelli.htmhttp://www.indigenouspeople.net/kokopelli.htm

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