The Diné emerged upward through a series of lower worlds (usually four: Black, Blue, Yellow, and Glittering/White worlds) into the present Glittering World, guided by the Holy People (Diyin Dine'é). Four sacred mountains define the boundaries of Diné Bikéyah. Changing Woman (Asdzáá Nádleehé) is the most revered deity — she represents the cycle of seasons and renewal. Wind (Nilch'i) is the animating force of all life.

Hózhó is the central organizing principle — not a value among values but the meta-framework for all values. Blessingway (Hózhóójí) is the foundational ceremony. Over 500 sand paintings parallel specific chants. Knowledge organized around four cardinal directions and parts of the day.

To walk in beauty (Hózhóójí) — to live to maturity in the condition of hózhó and die of old age, incorporated into universal beauty and harmony. This is the ONLY framework in the taxonomy that places beauty/aesthetic harmony as the central purpose rather than truth, liberation, obedience, or balance. Healing ceremonies restore hózhó when it is disrupted.

Suffering is a state of hóchó (disharmony/ugliness/disorder) — the opposite of hózhó. It results from contact with something dangerous, violation of taboo, witchcraft (Skinwalkers), or disrespect to the Holy People. Crucially, suffering is aesthetic disruption: the world becomes ugly when balance is lost. Healing ceremonies (24+ chant complexes) restore beauty. The Enemy Way ceremony addresses the contamination of violence.

No eschatology. The Diné focus is entirely this-worldly — achieving and maintaining hózhó in the present life. Death is treated with great caution; the dead are feared and contact with the dead is contaminating (requiring Enemy Way ceremony). Afterlife concepts are minimal and not central. The goal is a complete life in beauty, ending in natural death at old age.