The most constant geometric designs on Pueblo pottery are those
representing the rain cloud, and from analogy we would expect to find the
rain-cloud figures conspicuously on ancient Hopi pottery. We look in vain
on Sikyatki ware for the familiar semicircular symbols of rain clouds so
constant among the modern Hopi; nor do we find the rectangular terraced
form which is equally common. These modifications were probably lately
introduced into Hopiland by those colonists of alien clans who came after
the destruction of Sikyatki, and consequently are not to be expected on
its pottery. Their place was taken by other characteristic forms closely
allied to rectangular terraced figures from which hang parallel lines,
representing falling rain in modern symbolism.[34] The typical Sikyatki
rain-cloud symbol is terraced without rain symbols and finds its nearest
relative on pottery derived from the eastern pueblo region. The form of
rain-cloud symbol on Sikyatki pottery may be regarded as characteristic
of the Kokop clan which, according to legends, settled this ancient
pueblo. Modified variants of this form of rain-cloud symbol occur on
almost every specimen in the Sikyatki collection, and can be seen hanging
from “sky-bands” with appended star signs or without such connections.
[Illustration: FIG. 89.—Rain cloud.]
The most common Sikyatki symbol of a rain cloud is shown in figure 89 and
plate 90, _f_, _g_. These rain-cloud designs rarely occur singly, being
more often six in number, as if intended to represent the six cardinal
points recognized in Hopi ceremonies. We find the Sikyatki rain-cloud
symbols resembling somewhat those of the modern Zuñi, or figures of
clouds found on the characteristic designs on Little Colorado ceramics.
Somewhat similar angular terraced forms are almost universally used in
eastern pueblos as rain-cloud symbols, but the semicircular forms (fig.
90) of modern Hopi ceremonials, being apparently a highly specialized
modification, rarely occur on Sikyatki pottery.