Mythology of North American Indians

Visit the links to learn about Mythology of North American Indians related to objects in the sky, the Earth, and aspects of their world.

Back to the World Map
The Full Moon in January is called the Wolf Moon. It is named after the hungry packs of wolves that howled at night. The Algonquian tribes of Native Americans had <a href="/earth/moon/full_moon_names.html&dev=">many different names</a> for the Full Moon through the year, reflecting their connection with nature and the <a href="/the_universe/uts/seasons1.html&dev=">seasons</a>, hunting, fishing, and farming.<p><small><em>Image courtesy of Windows to the Universe</em></small></p>

Explore Mythology of North American Indians

Algonquian: Full Moon Names

Sometimes, in the fall, you may hear people call a Full Moon the "Harvest Moon". That's because ...Read more

Pawnee: Tirawa

According to the Pawnee, the world was created by the god Tirawa, who sent the stars to support ...Read more

Navajo: Changing Bear Maiden

In Navajo myth, Ursa Major, the Great Bear, originated from the story of the Changing Bear ...Read more

Navajo: Tonenili

Tonenili, who is also known as the Water Sprinkler, is the Navaho God of Water.  He is responsible ...Read more

Navajo: Estsanatlehi

According to the Navajo Native Americans, Estsanatlehi, whose name means "Changing Woman", ...Read more

Navajo: Ahsonnutli

Ahsonnutli was the sky father and chief god for the Navajo. He created heaven, Earth, and the ...Read more

Navajo: Tsohanoai

For the Navajo Indians of North America, Tsohanoai is the Sun god. Everyday, he crosses the ...Read more

Navajo: Flintboys

The Flint Boys is the name given to the Pleiades by the Navajo. According to Navajo myth, after ...Read more

Navajo: Coyote

According to Navajo mythology, the Milky Way was created by the mischievous behavior of the ...Read more

Lakota: The constellation of the Hand

According to the Lakota, the Constellation of the Hand, namely the bottom half of the constellation ...Read more

Historical Events

Full Earth and Space Science    History Calendar (Members only)

Teacher Opportunities

Full Teacher Events Calendar (Educator Members only)

Did you know?

Did you know that the atmosphere gets thinner as you go up in altitude?

Did you know that, according to ancient Chinese myth, humans were generated from the fleas which lived on the body of the giant Pan-Ku?

 

Earth and Space Science Concept of the Day

Do you know what this word or phrase means?

Adiabatic
xAdiabatic : An adiabatic process happens without any heat transfer with the environment.

Click on the word to find out!

Research Highlights

Silver Tells a Story of Early Earth: Water Here Since Planet's Very Early Days

A new study shows that water might have been present very early in the formation of Earth. Before this new information, scientists thought water came to Earth from comets. Scientists have learned this...Read more


Windows to the Universe, a project of the National Earth Science Teachers Association, is sponsored in part is sponsored in part through grants from federal agencies (NASA and NOAA), and partnerships with affiliated organizations, including the American Geophysical Union, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Earth System Information Partnership, the American Meteorological Society, the National Center for Science Education, and TERC. The American Geophysical Union and the American Geosciences Institute are Windows to the Universe Founding Partners. NESTA welcomes new Institutional Affiliates in support of our ongoing programs, as well as collaborations on new projects. Contact NESTA for more information. NASA ESIP NCSE HHMI AGU AGI AMS NOAA