Navajo Dragonfly Earrings

Navajo jeweler Lucille Platero made these dragonfly earrings from sterling silver.  Below the head is a dot of turquoise. The eyes are detailed and the wings and tail are beautifully hand-stamped. They dangle from sterling silver wires. More about dragonflies below.

Size: 1.875" H x 1.75" W

Dragonflies have different, yet similar meanings throughout Native America.  In Zuni, they are messengers between this world and the next and are related to the coming rains and corn.  In other tribes they are strong protectors, as dragonflies are one of the very few creatures that can fight while flying backwards.  They are known to watch our backs and offer protection.  Their symbol is a vertical line with two horizontal bars, and can be seen on war shirts, shields and painted on horses going into battle.