The Mayan Empire had its earliest settlements date back to 1800 BC and most of the Mayan cities were abandoned by 900 AD. The peak of Mayan power and influence centered around the sixth century AD. Throughout the span of the empire and to this day, the Mayans are often known as the people of the jaguar. The jaguar has been a symbol and emblem of the Maya long before they rose to the power and influence that they are known for.
The rulers, warriors and priests of the Maya studied the jaguar diligently both because of its reputation as the largest predator in America and the features of its nature. For example, they were intrigued by the concept of day and night and how that related to the jaguar. The Mayan people believed that the jaguar was a part of the creation myth and also that kings and rulers descended from the feline. Mariadel Carmen Valverde Valdes, a Ph.D. in Mesoamerican Studies, claims that "the jaguar is one of the most important emblems, not only for the Maya culture, but for all of Mesoamerica. We found this on early Olmec representations, in stories, legends and traditions."
On the right is a ceramic Precolumbian mask. It represents the transformation from human to “were-jaguar,” a half-human, half-jaguar deity. Archaeologist Matthew W. Stirling first described and named this in 1955.
Ancient Olmec art as early as 1500 B.C. shows the were-jaguar.
Ancient Olmec art as early as 1500 B.C. shows the were-jaguar.
The Divine Right of Kings
The jaguar was a symbol to the Mayan people of the divinity of their rulers. They believed that the jaguar god inhabited and dwelled in the underworld, the land of the dead. With each morning, the jaguar became the sun god and traveled westward across the sky eventually falling back to the underworld. To maintain this cycle of day and night, many rituals were practiced to appease the gods and honor the jaguar.
The jaguar has represented the Mayan empire since its beginning up through present day. It has deep connections to their religion and beliefs resulting in deep symbolism. The jaguar is found in sculpture, paintings, and in other expressive forms from this time period as well as from times after.
Sources
"People of the Jaguar." Mystery of the Maya. Canadian Museum of History, Aug. 2013. Web. 18 Apr. 2014. <http://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/civil/maya/mmj01eng.shtml>.
"The Black Jaguar: A Powerful Ancient Maya Symbol." Maya Universe News. The Yucatan Times, Nov. 2012. Web. 18 Apr. 2014. <http://www.theyucatantimes.com/2012/11/the-black-jaguar-a-powerful-ancient-maya-symbol/>.
"The Black Jaguar: A Powerful Ancient Maya Symbol." Maya Universe News. The Yucatan Times, Nov. 2012. Web. 18 Apr. 2014. <http://www.theyucatantimes.com/2012/11/the-black-jaguar-a-powerful-ancient-maya-symbol/>.