Acoording to Aztec Mythology, Jaguars have traditionally been depicted in Mesoamerican cultures, with iconographic instances dating back to at least the mid-Formative period of Mesoamerican chronology. The jaguar (Panthera onca), like the lion (Panthera leo) and tiger (Panthera tigris) in the Old World, has a prominent affiliation and appearance in the civilizations and belief systems of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican societies in the New World. The jaguar is the largest felid in Central or North America, and one of the most efficient and fierce predators. It is quick, agile, and powerful enough to take down the largest animals in the jungle. The jaguar, which has a spotted coat and is well adapted for the jungle, hunting in the trees or on the water, making it one of the few felines tolerant of water, was and continues to be venerated by indigenous Americans who live in close proximity to the jaguar.
The jaguar god was significant in all major Mesoamerican civilizations, and for many, such as the Olmec, the jaguar was an integral aspect of shamanism. The jaguar was well-known among those who lived in or near the tropical jungle, and it became ingrained in the lives of the locals. The jaguar was admired because of its imposing size, reputation as a predator, and evolved abilities to survive in the jungle. After witnessing this animal's habits, the Olmec and Maya adopted the jaguar as an authoritative and martial symbol and incorporated it into their mythology. The jaguar serves as a significant emblem in the lives of those who coexist with this creature now, just as it did in the past.
The Olmec civilization was first defined as a distinctive art style at the turn of the nineteenth century. The various sculpture, figurines, and celts from what now is recognized as the Olmec heartland on the southern Gulf Coast, reveal that these people knew their jungle companions well and incorporated them into their mythology.
Jaguars are rarely shown naturalistically in the surviving Olmec archaeological record, but rather with a mix of feline and human traits. These feline anthropomorphic forms can range from images of shamanistic transformations in the so-called transformative stance, kneeling with hands on knees, to figures that are virtually entirely feline.
The "were-jaguar" is one of the most conspicuous, unusual, and enigmatic Olmec designs to occur in the archaeological record. The design may also be found carved onto jade "votive axes" and celts, engraved into numerous portable jade figurines, and represented on multiple "altars," including those at La Venta. A stoic, seated adult male frequently holds were-jaguar babies.
The were-jaguar figure features a down-turned mouth with fleshy lips, almond-shaped eyes, and a cleft head, which is supposed to be similar to that of a male jaguar, which has a vertical cleft along the length of its skull.
The meaning of the were-jaguar to the Olmec is unknown, and it could have meant different things at different eras.
The jaguar is particularly significant to shamans, who regard it as a spirit companion or nagual that will guard them from evil spirits and as they travel between the earth and the spirit world. It is important for shamans to shift and pass over to the spirit realm in order to confront whatever evil forces may be threatening them or those who rely on them for protection. Because of its might, the jaguar is frequently referred to as a nagual, as it is required for shamans to "dominate the spirits in the same way as a predator dominates its prey" (Saunders 1998:30). Because of its comfort in the woods and on the water, its ability to hunt at night as well as during the day, and its habit of sleeping in caves, which are commonly linked with deceased ancestors, the jaguar is said to have the temporary capacity to go between realms. The concept of the shaman's transformation is abundantly documented throughout Mesoamerica and South America, as seen by the many Olmec jaguar transformation figures.
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