Known as a fertility god, prankster, healer and story teller, Kokopelli has been a source of wonder throughout the country for centuries. Kokopelli embodies the true American Southwest, and dates back over 3,000 years ago, when the first Petroglyphs were carved. Although his true origins are unknown, this traveling, flute-playing character is a sacred figure to many Southwestern Native Americans. Carvings of this hunch-backed flute-playing figure has been found painted and carved into rock walls and boulders throughout the Southwest.
There are many myths of the famous Kokopelli. One of which is that he traveled from village to village bringing the changing of winter to spring; melting the snow and bringing about rain for a successful harvest. It is also said that the hunch on his back depicted the sacks of seeds and songs he carried. Legend also has it that the flute playing also symbolized the transition of winter to spring. Kokopelli’s flute is said to be heard in the spring’s breeze, while bringing warmth. It is also said that he was the source of human conception. Legend has it, everyone in the village would sing and dance throughout the night when they heard Kokopelli play his flute. The next morning, every maiden in the village would be with child.
One popular myth explains where Kokopelli got his flute. It is said that young boy named Kokopelli went into the forest to gather food for he and his mother. While gathering figs he encounters a grey wolf caught in a trap. He freed the wolf and returns to his village very happy that he has been able to help the suffering creature. Upon returning to his village he discovers the village is being punished with sickness for not respecting the laws of nature and taking more then they need. Kokopelli, heartbroken that his mother is dying, runs into the forest and is found by the same wolf he rescued earlier. This wolf beckons him to follow, which Kokopelli does.
To Kokopelli’s further astonishment, the grey wolf also spoke; "Each of us will bestow a trait upon you. You are to travel far and wide to bring health to all those good people such as yourself." With that, Kokopelli felt his eyes closing and in no time, he fell into a deep sleep. In his slumber, each animal - the white bear (healing), the white wolf (intelligence), the frog (singer of songs) and the coyote (humor), each bestowed their gift and lastly the greatest of all guardians, the Eagle placed a wooded flute colored in four colors of the four ends of the earth - Blue (North), Orange (West), Purple (South), Yellow (East) by Kokopelli’s side. With these gifts and his magical flute, he is able to heal his village and show them the error of their ways.
