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Corn pollen is used in many Navajo sacred ceremonies. Though Ned does not explain the precise religious meanings of using corn pollen (an ancient practice), it nonetheless symbolizes his connection to his sacred land, to his people, and to the Navajo sacred spirits, or Holy People. It is first used in the Blessingway, a ceremony of protection, before Ned departs for service in the South Pacific. While at war, Ned carries a pouch containing corn pollen at all times, and each morning he scatters a tiny amount while praying. This gesture connects him to his family and makes him feel spiritually balanced no matter where he happens to be or what dangers he is facing, just as his connection to the Navajo Way always gives him strength.
Corn Pollen Quotes in Code Talker
The Code Talker quotes below all refer to the symbol of Corn Pollen. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Chapter 9
Quotes
I took five steps toward the dawn and stood there, feeling the warmth of the sun touching me. I reached into the pollen bag and took some out to scatter from north to south. I inhaled the dawn four times, giving a prayer to myself, to the new day, and to all that exists.
There was truly blessing all around me and all through me. With that new dawn, with my mind and my body, my spirit and my emotions in good balance, I was ready to begin my journey as a warrior for America.
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Chapter 12
Quotes
Now, grandchildren, when I say we were proud I do not mean that we became self-important. […] We remembered that the language that now could be of such great use, our sacred language, had been passed down to us by our elders. […]
Each morning, I thought of my home and my family. I stood facing the rising sun. I took corn pollen from the pouch I always carried at my waist, touched it to my tongue and the top of my head, then lifted it up to the four sacred directions as I greeted the dawn. That pouch stayed with me wherever I went during the war. The blessing of that corn pollen helped keep me calm and balanced and safe.
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Chapter 19
Quotes
I was not one of those who tried to forget through drinking, although I was tempted. […] What helped me through those times of uncertainty were thoughts of my home and family. It comforted me to know that my family was praying for me during those times. I felt close to them when I rose each morning and used corn pollen at dawn. In that way, even when I was sad and afraid, I kept it in mind that the Holy People would not forget me. Being a Navajo and keeping to our Navajo Way helped me survive not just the war, but all those times of quiet and anxious waiting that were not yet peace.
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Corn Pollen Symbol Timeline in Code Talker
The timeline below shows where the symbol Corn Pollen appears in Code Talker. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 9: The Blessingway
...Ned’s home. He is ceremonially bathed and sung over in the morning and blessed with corn pollen . The ceremony resumes in the evening, and 60 years later, Ned can still feel...
(full context)
Chapter 12: Learning the Code
...elders. Ned remembers his family and his land each day as he goes through his corn pollen ritual. He wears a pouch of corn pollen and greets the dawn by scattering pollen...
(full context)
Chapter 13: Shipping Out to Hawaii
...associate water with danger, even monsters. The morning he ships out, he prays with his corn pollen before dawn, asking for the protection of the Holy People.
(full context)
Chapter 19: Do You Have a Navajo?
...praying for him. He also feels close to them when he prays each dawn, using corn pollen . He believes that “keeping to our Navajo Way” helps him survive both the war...
(full context)
Chapter 25: In Sight of Suribachi
...thousand Marines prepare to invade. The morning of the landing, Ned prays as usual with corn pollen . Instead of eating the traditional big breakfast marines are served before a landing, Ned...
(full context)
