David Naranjo, Avanyu (Water Serpent)

The avanyu, or water serpent, is a powerful figure in Tewa Pueblo traditions of the Rio Grande region. Often depicted with a sinuous, lightning-shaped body and a fierce, horned head, the avanyu symbolizes the life-giving but unpredictable force of water. In Pueblo cosmology, water is both a blessing and a danger—essential for crops and survival in the desert, but also capable of bringing floods and destruction. The avanyu embodies this duality. Its curving form often echoes the path of rivers or the motion of flowing water, while lightning motifs emphasize its connection to storms and rain. For many Pueblo artists, the avanyu is not only a sacred presence but also a reminder of the community’s responsibility to maintain balance with the natural world. The image frequently appears in pottery, painting, and sculpture, serving as both a spiritual guardian and a visual prayer for rain, fertility, and harmony.