The cradle board is constructed by the father of the infant, who selected cottonwood or pine for the back board. The right back board represents Nahasdzáán (Mother Earth), the left represents Yá’diłhił (Father Sky). These two back boards are laced together with buckskin; the upper end of the two back boards is cut and made into a V-shape. There are two small holes at near the V-shape that is Jeeyi’ (Ears).

A piece of oak, shaved thin so that it could be bent into a bow, it’s attached to near the top. It represents Náátsi’íílid (Rainbow), it provides protection for the infants head.

Loops are placed along the sides of the cradle board made from buckskins, representing Atsiniltł’ish (Lighting), on the right side a long buck skin is used to lace the loops and tie the baby, it represents shábitł’óół (Sum Beam).

At the Bottom a piece of wood is added as a foot rest which represents Nááts’íílid Agodii (small Rainbow)

On the backside of the cradle board a small piece of wood is added at the bottom of the V-shape that is Si’ąh Naagháí Bik’eh Hózhó.

When the baby out grows the cradle board it is set aside and if another baby is born the cradle board can be use again. But the cradle board gets taken apart and is washed with the yucca (Két’ááz). And the buckskins are also washed and when it’s dried red pollen (ch’íí) is added and a prayer is added so the infant won’t have nightmares.

The center spot in the basket represents the beginning of this earth as the Navajo emerged from the cane.

The white portion surrounding the center spot is the earth.

The black represents the six sacred mountains to the Navajo and forms a boundary-line of the early Navajo people

Only six mountains are represented in some of the baskets, for that is the number of mountains brought up from below during the flood. Above the represented earth are the clouds which have many colors represented within them, as do real clouds above the earth. The white and black clouds are important. They represent the same thing- the making of rain.

The rain represents in the basket is to bring comfort to the earth-to make plants and all things grow.

Next to the red or brown section which represent the sunray. It also means the rainbow spectrum upon which the gods travel. The sunray is to make things on the earth grow and make things go the right way. This sun ray in the basket is to keep the earth and people warm. The number of clouds has no significance. The finish point of the basket always goes to the east.

The center of the basket is where the water exists.

The inside black design represents the mountains.

The red band is the rainbow.

The black on the outside of the rainbow are clouds. Finally, the sunlight is the white area beyond the clouds.

The reason the basket looks like everything is bursting out from the center is that it is representing everything growing out from the basket.

The people were created in the underground worlds. They emerged from the center in this fourth world which we call the glittering world and started journeying. When the holy people finished teaching the people in this world, they wanted to go to a resting place. This is represented by the four sacred mountains, plus the Huerfano where changing women (Azáá Nádleehé) resided as well as Navajo Mountain. These six mountains are where the holy people resided. It is also why the Hogan is six sided. In order to preserve the history and language of the people, protection was needed which is represented by the red rainbow design in the basket. Next is father sky and the clouds which represent the nourishment needed to keep the culture going. Finally, the braiding at the rim is protection so the Navajo people won’t forget from where they come.

East - Ha’a’aah: comes with great thoughts and mental strength for a better today, tomorrow, and future to come.
Nitsáhákees - Thoughts
Sisnaajini - White Shell Mountain (Yoolgai Dził)

Seasons of months:
Spring - Dáán
February - Atsábiyáázh
March - wóózhch’ííd
April - T’ááchil


South - Shádi’ááh: comes with planning. Ideas to makes the things we do better.
Nahat’á - Planning
Tsoodził - Turquoise Mountain (Dootł’iizhii Dził)

Seasons of months:
Summer - Shí
May - Táátsoh
June - Ya’iishjááshchilí
July - Ya’iishjáástsoh


West - E’e’aah: comes with life. Strength in and body.
Iiná - Life
Dook’o’oosłííd - Abalone Shell Mountain (Diichiłi Dził)

Season of months:
Fall - Aak’eed
August - Bini’anit’ąąts’ózí
September - bini’anit’ąątsoh
October - Ghąąjí


North - Náhookọs: comes with hope. Feelings of happiness and relaxation.
Sih hasin - Hope
Dibé Nitsaa - Obsidian Mountain (Baazhínii Dził)

Season of Month:
Winter - Hai
November - Niłch’its’ósí
December - Niłch’itsoh
January - Yas Niłt’ees