Near Oraibi, Arizona, a petroglyph known as Prophecy Rock embodies key elements of Hopi prophecy. Its imagery is understood in the following way:
The large human figure on the left represents the Great Spirit. The bow in his left hand signifies his instruction to the Hopi to lay down their weapons. Beside him, a vertical line marks a timeline measured in thousands of years; the point where the Great Spirit touches the line indicates the time of his return.
From the life path established by the Great Spirit, two roads emerge. The lower, narrow path symbolizes a life lived in harmony with nature. The wider upper road represents the path of modern scientific and technological achievement. The bar separating the two paths—positioned above a cross—marks the arrival of Europeans, and the cross itself signifies Christianity. Beneath it, a circle represents the enduring Path of Life.
Four small human figures appear along the upper road. On one level, they represent the three previous worlds and the present world. On another, they suggest that some Hopi people will be drawn onto the white man’s path, enticed by its allure.
Two circles along the lower Path of Life symbolize the “great shaking of the earth,” commonly interpreted as the two World Wars.
Within the sun appear a swastika and a Celtic cross, understood as symbols of the two helpers of Pahana, the True White Brother.
A short line branching back toward the straight Path of Life represents humanity’s final opportunity to return to living in balance with nature before the upper road ultimately collapses. Above the Path of Life, a small circle signifies the Great Purification, after which abundance will return and corn will once again grow freely when the Great Spirit comes back. The Path of Life, in this vision, continues without end.
In the lower right corner, the Hopi shield symbolizes the Earth and the Four Corners region where the Hopi people reside. The arms of the cross also reflect the four directions in which the Hopi migrated, following the guidance of the Great Spirit.
The dots within the petroglyph represent both the four colors of Hopi corn and the four racial colors of humankind.
We Are All Related
By Dr. Allen Ross
The emergence into the Fifth World has already begun. According to Hopi teaching, it is not being shaped by the powerful, but by humble people—by small nations, tribes, and racial minorities who remain close to the Earth.
“You can read it in the Earth itself,” the elders say. Ancient plant forms from previous worlds are reappearing as seeds. The same kinds of seeds are being planted in the sky as stars. The same seeds are being planted in human hearts. They are one and the same, depending on how we choose to see them. This is the meaning of the Emergence into the Fifth World.
Hopi tradition speaks of nine major prophecies linked to the creation of nine worlds: the three previous worlds, the present Fourth World, three future worlds yet to come, and the world of Taiowa, the Creator, and his nephew Sotuknang.
The Sacred Covenant and the Tiponi
After the Great Flood, the Hopi and others who survived entered into a sacred covenant with the Great Spirit, promising never to turn away from him again. The Great Spirit created sacred stone tablets called Tiponi, breathing into them his teachings, prophecies, and warnings.
Before withdrawing from the world, he placed before the leaders of four racial groups different colors and sizes of corn, asking each to choose their sustenance. The Hopi waited until last and chose the smallest ear of corn. Pleased, the Great Spirit said:
“You have chosen wisely. The others are imitations, containing hidden seeds of other plants. You have shown intelligence. Therefore, I place into your hands these sacred stone tablets, the Tiponi—symbols of power and authority over land and life—to guard and protect until I return, for I am the First and the Last.”
The Two Brothers
The Great Chieftain of the Bow Clan led the faithful into a new land but later strayed from the right path. After his death, his two sons assumed leadership. Each received a set of Tiponi and instructions from the Great Spirit.
The elder brother of the shining light was told to travel east toward the rising sun and, upon reaching his destination, return to assist his younger brother, who remained on Turtle Island (North America). His mission would be to help bring about the Purification Day—a time when wrongdoing would be judged and true peace restored.
The younger brother was instructed to journey throughout the land, marking his path. Both were told that a great white star would appear in the sky as a sign that the elder brother had reached his destination. At that moment, people were to remain wherever they were until the elder returned.
The Four Corners and Sacred Balance
The Hopi eventually settled in the region now called the Four Corners, where Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado meet. They lived simply, and the land provided abundantly. This place is considered the spiritual “heart” of Turtle Island and a microcosm of the Earth itself.
Each Hopi clan maintains ceremonies that uphold the balance of natural forces—sunlight, rain, wind—and reaffirm respect for all life and faith in the Great Spirit.
They were warned that white men would one day arrive, take their land, and attempt to lead them astray. Yet the Hopi were instructed to hold fast to their religion and land without violence. If they endured, their land would become the center from which the True Spirit would awaken once more.
The True White Brother
Prophecy tells of the elder brother’s eventual return as the True White Brother. Though his skin may change color, his hair will remain black. He will be literate and uniquely able to read the Tiponi. When the two brothers reunite and place their tablets side by side, it will prove their kinship before the world.
He will wear a red cloak or cap patterned like a horned toad and bring no religion but his own. He will be powerful and unstoppable, regaining the land unjustly taken and helping restore justice. If he comes from the East, destruction will be less severe; if from the West, mercy will be scarce.
Two great helpers will accompany him. One bears the sign of the swastika—an ancient symbol of purity—and the sun. The other carries the Celtic cross marked with red lines symbolizing life blood. These helpers will first shake the Earth twice before joining with the True White Brother to initiate the Great Purification.
The Great Purification
As the time of purification approaches, the Earth will tremble. Those who remain true to the ancient spirit will be protected. Afterward, the Earth will be renewed—beautiful, abundant, and just. Food will be plentiful. People will share equally. Races will intermarry and speak one language as one family.
The Hopi warn that World War III will begin among nations that first received the Light—China, Palestine, India, and Africa. The United States, they say, will be destroyed by “gourds of ashes” that boil rivers and poison the land—imagery often interpreted as nuclear devastation. Bomb shelters will not save those without peace in their hearts: “Those who are at peace already dwell in the Great Shelter of Life.”
The Blue Star Kachina—Saquahuh—will appear as a sign that the time of trial has arrived.
The Nine Signs
The Hopi speak of nine signs heralding great change:
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The arrival of white-skinned men resembling Pahana but not living as he would—men who took land and struck enemies with thunder.
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The coming of spinning wheels filled with voices (covered wagons).
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The appearance of horned beasts overrunning the land (cattle).
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Snakes of iron crossing the land (railroads).
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A giant spider’s web crisscrossing the Earth (telegraph and communication lines).
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Rivers of stone reflecting the sun (highways).
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The sea turning black and life dying (oil spills).
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Youth with long hair joining tribal nations to learn their wisdom.
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A dwelling in the heavens falling like a blue star—after which ceremonies will cease.
When these signs are fulfilled, the Fourth World will end. The Earth will rock, wars will rage, and columns of smoke and fire will rise. Yet those who understand and remain true will be protected.
Seeds of the Fifth World
After destruction comes renewal. Pahana will return with the dawn of the Fifth World and plant seeds of wisdom in human hearts. Even now, those seeds are being planted—within the Earth, within the stars, within us.
These seeds will prepare the way for the Emergence into the Fifth World.
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