Navajo Spirit Line

Navajo weavings are complex, beautiful, time-intensive artwork made from natural dyes that are full of symbolism and tribal history.

I recently learned about the “Spirit Line” from one of my mentors.

When the Navajo weaver works on a weaving, she puts her soul, energy and spirit into it.

Sometimes you will find a ch’ihónít’i, also known as a “spirit line” or “spirit pathway” on a Navajo rug. This is a thin line which extends from the center of a Navajo rug across the border to the outside edge or is sometimes placed near a corner and made of the same color as the background of the field.

Navajo believe that when weaving a rug, the weaver entwines part of her spirit into the rug. The spirit line prevents the weavers spirit from being trapped and allows weaver's spirit to safely exit the rug.

The belief is that the energy and spirit woven into the rug must be released so the weaver will have the energy and spirit to continue weaving other rugs.

This intentional and sacred line should not be mistaken as a flaw. I now look for it, pause and honor the weaver’s work and her freed spirit that brought so many generations of weavings.