Jaguar man

Monument 52 from San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan , which represents a typical jaguar man.

The were-jaguar was in the Central American culture of the Olmec on the one hand an artistic motif, the other a supernatural being, possibly a deity.

The figure of the jaguar man is characterized by almond-shaped eyes, an open mouth with the corners of the mouth drawn down and a split head. The motif is widespread in the archaeological finds of the Olmec culture. The "supernatural" jaguar man was once considered the chief god of the Olmecs. It is believed that he was one of many gods.

See also

• Lion man
• Wascat

literature

• Benson, EP and B. de la Fuente, eds. (1996): Olmec Art of Ancient Mexico. National Gallery of Art, Washington DC, ISBN 0-89468-250-4 .
• Miller, Mary ; and Karl Taube (1993): The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya: An Illustrated Dictionary of Mesoamerican Religion. London: Thames & Hudson. ISBN 0-500-05068-6 .
• Diehl, Richard (2004): The Olmecs: America's First Civilization. ( Ancient peoples and places ) London: Thames & Hudson. ISBN 0-500-02119-8 .