Araǵanaqlta'a
Also called Araǵanaqlta’a, Araanaqltaa.
From Native American Zuni mythology, this serpent with scales of turquoise brings rain. It coils in the clouds to churn up storms.
At a glance
- Tradition
- Zuni folklore
- Region
- American Southwest (habitat)
- Trait family
- The Rain-Serpents
Near this figure
Traits
Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.
Form
- Serpentine elongated body
why
Araǵanaqlta'a's undulating form mimics the flow of rivers and the rolling of storm clouds
- Turquoise or jeweled scales
why
Its body, adorned with shimmering scales of turquoise, reflects the sacred blue-green hues of the desert sky and the precious stones highly valued by the Zuni people.
Behaviour
- Thunder from coiling in clouds
why
This action is believed to be the source of thunder, as the serpent's movements create the rumbling sounds that precede a storm.
- Rain bringing serpent
why
When drought threatens the land, Araǵanaqlta'a ascends to the clouds, where it coils its massive body to churn the atmosphere.
Offensive powers
- Weather manipulation
why
This mystical being possesses the ability to manipulate weather patterns, particularly in bringing forth much-needed rain to the arid landscapes of the American Southwest.