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sand painting

American  

noun

  1. the ceremonial practice among Navaho and Pueblo Indians of creating symbolic designs on a flat surface with varicolored sand.

  2. the designs so made.


sand painting British  

noun

  1. a type of painting done by American Indians, esp in the healing ceremonies of the Navaho, using fine coloured sand on a neutral ground

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of sand painting

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

At the in-person community altar, visitors will find traditional sand painting and displays created by members of the presenting community, including an altar in Michoacan style.

From Seattle Times Oct. 28, 2021

There is the concert, which includes an elaborate onstage sand painting, and a quote proffered from one of the Brontes.

From Salon Jul. 25, 2017

He returns to the White House one day to find the monks and their sand painting gone.

From New York Times Mar. 2, 2015

On Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., the monks will present a number of cultural events, including sacred chants, dances and sand painting.

From Washington Post Feb. 23, 2014

He sat in the center of the white corn sand painting.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko

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