Native American Cultural Background

This bead work is well-known for its beauty and is used in mathematics. This design type is based on four-fold symmetry. The four images of four fold symmetry #1 are Embroidery Plains Indians, Shoshone Beadwork, Pawnee Buffalo Hide Drum, and Navajo Rug. Reflection symmetry is when the right half of something is a mirror image of the left half. Base four counting was used for Native languages. Four fold symmetry #3 is used as Navajo sand paintings in healing ceremonies. Four fold symmetry #4 is used for Yupik parka decorations. Four fold symmetry is shown with beads in rows and columns. The Native American beadwork was created before Europeans arrived. These designs were used to create wampum belts and to record messages and historic events.