- Spiritual Guardians: Some as a guardian spirit, believed to interact with the human world to ensure harmony, fertility, and balance.
- Seasonal Cycles: Some play a role in seasonal ceremonies, helping to bring rain, ensure abundant harvests, and mark significant agricultural and celestial events.
- Teaching Tools: All Katsina dolls are educational tools, teaching Hopi children about their cultural heritage, religious beliefs, and the roles within their society.