Jaguar- Transformation Vs Mascot

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Transformation or Mascot? : A look at the artistic symbolism of the Olmec Jaguar M Kelly Mesoamerican Art 11/9/2011 Transforming into an actual jaguar-man, or symbolism, Mesoamerican art has an abundance of feline influenced concepts and imagery. Modern societies utilize mascots to demonstrate qualities and bring luck or benefit to themselves. The Mesoamerican cultures utilized the same symbolism qualities but to demonstrate a larger extent of importance for the Shaman or ruler’s power. They would incorporate the feline features in their dress, masks, body ornamentation, ritualistic procedures and art. The Jaguar in particular was demonstrated to be the most important and powerful feline of their culture. A leader of the Olmec society had a reputation of ‘jaguar-man” and would be a link to their ancestors and the gods. Representation of this is found in their art. The figures are described by modern archeologists as ‘transformation’ figures, in particular the Kneeling Figure from the Robert Woods Bliss Collection at Dumarton Oaks. (see Illustration #1) (Sterling) Peter Furst is revered as an expert in this field, and his interpretations and descriptions of the sculptures from this period has influenced those that have followed into believing as fact that shaman were thought of as transforming. Use of hallucinogenic herbs in Mesoamerican spiritual rituals would allow the shaman to ‘transform’ into jaguars. But in everyday life of the culture, the art would represent the force and goal of the ruler over the society. It would represent stregnth, stealth and impose force to his leadership. Representation in sculpture suggest their belief and the significance of ceremonial importance of the jaguar, but also incorporate the imagery into the daily life of their society. The ancient societies applied anthropomorphism, a combination between human and

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