Parowan in Iron County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Hopi Perspective

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, May 31, 2025

1. Hopi Perspective Marker

Inscription.
The Hopi people entered into a sacred covenant declaring their responsibility to be stewards of the Earth.

Members of the Hopi tribe describe their connections with Parowan Gap this way: The Hopi people, or Hopisinom, entered into a sacred covenant with Maasaw, the Earth Guardian, declaring their responsibility to be preservers, protectors, and stewards of the Earth.

In accordance with this covenant, ancestors of the Hopi people-Hisatsinom, or "People of Long Ago-migrated through the Parowan Gap to Hopi, Tuuwanasavi, the spiritual center of the Earth. The petroglyphs here testify to their fulfillment of their covenant with Maasaw.

The petroglyphs at Parowan Gap include clan signs (like signatures) and directional references (like maps), as well as references to ceremonies and songs. The spiral is the Hopi migration symbol.

Photo above: François Gohier; photos left and inset: Sandy Bell

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 37° 54.564′ N, 112° 59.099′ W. Marker

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is in Parowan, Utah, in Iron County. It can be reached from West Gap Road. Marker is located along the sideway leading from the Parawon Gap parking lot to the petroglyphs. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: W Gap Road, Parowan UT 84761, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Utah’s Color Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and on the Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Parowan Gap Petroglyphs (here, next to this marker); The Great Migration (a few steps from this marker); Paiute Perspective (a few steps from this marker); Art or Language? / How These Images Were Made (within shouting distance of this marker); Southern Utah Expedition of 1849 (within shouting distance of this marker); Long-Ago Artisans (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, May 31, 2025

2. Hopi Perspective Marker

Settlement of Parowan Valley (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Spanish National Historic Trail (approx. 7.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Parowan.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 119 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 9, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.