This is the Indian Blanket flower, a wildflower frequently found in the Southwest of the United States. This flower holds symbolic meaning in Native American cultures, and is often associated with warmth, strength and endurance. The flowers vibrant orange and yellow colors are representative of the sun and its life-giving energy.

There is a beautiful legend about this flower:

The legend tells of an old Indian blanket maker whose talent for weaving produced such beautiful blankets that other Indians would travel many miles to trade for one. The old blanket maker had never taken an apprentice and when he realized that he had only a short time left, he began weaving his own burial blanket. It blended his favorite browns, reds and yellows into the beautiful patterns for which he was so famous.

In time, the old man died and his family dutifully wrapped him in this blanket, which was to be his gift to the Great Spirit when they met. The Great Spirit was very pleased because of the beauty of the gift, but also saddened, because He realized that only those in the Happy Hunting Ground would be able to appreciate the old blanket maker’s beautiful creation. So, He decided that He would give this gift back to those that the old Indian had left behind.

The spring following the old man’s death, wildflowers of the colors and design of the old Indian’s blanket appeared in profusion upon his grave ... to bloom and spread forever.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

This sterling silver pendant is hand-engraved and is approximately 3/4 inch tall. It comes on an 18-inch sterling silver chain.