“That symbol is not just our symbol. It’s a universal symbol,” Eskeets said. During World War II, Eskeets said the U.S. government asked the Navajo to “hold off” on using the symbol.

From the proximity of a Navajo sun symbol and the customary mode of reference of the Navajo workman to “sun picture place”, the site has been called “Shabik'eshchee Village”.

The symbol all but disappeared from Navajo artists’ wares after the 1930s, making it extremely rare these days. Leonard Brown of Pueblo, the owner of the rug in question, said it took him more ...