* Sand: This is the most obvious component! The Navajo would use finely ground, colored sand from various locations. These colors included:
* White: Usually from sandstone or gypsum
* Yellow: Often from sandstone, ochre, or clay
* Black: From charcoal or volcanic ash
* Red: From red ochre or clay
* Blue: Not as common, sometimes from crushed turquoise or azurite
* Other Powders: Sometimes, the Navajo used other powders to create specific colors or textures. This might include:
* Cornmeal: For a lighter, more granular texture
* Pollen: For a vibrant yellow hue
* Crushed herbs: For specific medicinal or symbolic purposes
* Resin: Often, a sticky resin like pitch or sap from pine trees was used to create a base or "canvas" on which to build the sand painting. This helped the sand adhere and prevented it from blowing away.
* Natural Dyes: Though less common, some Navajo artists might use natural dyes extracted from plants to further enhance the colors in their sand paintings.
It's important to note that these materials were collected and used with great care and respect for the natural world. Sand paintings held deep spiritual significance, and their creation was considered a sacred act.