The question is whether this tribe has changed its form since its contact with the whites or whether the cross was originally like the one in use to-day.

From many of the Tarahumares' utterances I incline to think that their cross represents a human figure with arms outstretched, and is an embodiment of Father Sun, the Perfect Man.

When two crosses are placed on the patio, the smaller stands for the moon.

This conception also explains the custom of setting up three crosses at the principal dance, the rutuburi, the third cross representing probably the Morning Star.

Among Christianised natives the three crosses may come gradually to mean the Trinity.
On one occasion I saw a cross at least ten feet high with a cross beam only one foot long, raised next to two crosses of ordinary size, all standing on the patio of a well-to-do Indian, and the inference was easily drawn that the high cross was meant for Father Sun.