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&edu=elem&dev=1/windows.html">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&edu=elem&dev=1/windows.html">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

Do you know anybody who has a nickname? Did you know that the Full Moon has a bunch of nicknames? ...Read more

Pawnee: Tirawa

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

Navajo: Changing Bear Maiden

In the story of the Changing Bear Maiden, a girl gets very angry and changes into a bear. ...Read more

Navajo: Tonenili

Tonenili is the Navaho God of Water.  He is also called the Water Sprinkler because he sprinkles ...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 of the Navajo. He created heaven, Earth, and the ...Read more

Navajo: Tsohanoai

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

Navajo: Flintboys

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

Navajo: Coyote

In Navajo mythology, the Milky Way was created by the mischievous god, Coyote. Coyote was very ...Read more

Lakota: The constellation of the Hand

According to the Lakota, the Constellation of the Hand, in the constellation Orion, represents ...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 Earth's magnetic pole in the Northern hemisphere is not aligned with the Earth's geographic north pole?

Did you know that the Japanese god Susanowo was the god of the sea and storms, and that he had a terrible temper?

 

Earth and Space Science Concept of the Day

Do you know what this word or phrase means?

Lahar
xLahar : A mudflow or landslide composed of pyroclastic material and water that flows down from a volcano, typically along a river valley. Lahars can be huge, fast, and deadly.

Click on the word to find out!

Research Highlights

Scientists Study "Glaciovolcanoes," Mountains of Fire and Ice

In the spring of 2010, the eruption of a volcano called Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland cancelled many flights in Europe. Eyjafjallajökull is a glaciovolcano, which means it's a volcano that is covered by...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