Rulers of the sky: an iconographical analysis of Formative feline imagery in Chalcatzingo, Morelos, Mexico

Olmec feline imagery has been a subject of interest among scholars for many years. Several sites in the Gulf Coast area and Guerrero contain examples of these well-debated images, as well as the Formative Olmec site of Chalcatzingo, where a number of reliefs and monuments show the depiction of composite feline animals with clear avian characteristics. This research aims to investigate how these images are related to the worldview of the inhabitants of the site by comparison with similar material from the Olmec area. Herewith the concepts of ‘nahualism’ and ‘corporate art’ will be applied to the interpretation of the carvings and their significance to the society. The first concept refers to the ability to transform oneself into an animal alter ego, while the latter term indicates the use of architecture and monuments to ascertain a strong political power within a given community. Building on research previously conducted by Mesoamerican scholars, individual fieldwork at the site of...Show moreOlmec feline imagery has been a subject of interest among scholars for many years. Several sites in the Gulf Coast area and Guerrero contain examples of these well-debated images, as well as the Formative Olmec site of Chalcatzingo, where a number of reliefs and monuments show the depiction of composite feline animals with clear avian characteristics. This research aims to investigate how these images are related to the worldview of the inhabitants of the site by comparison with similar material from the Olmec area. Herewith the concepts of ‘nahualism’ and ‘corporate art’ will be applied to the interpretation of the carvings and their significance to the society. The first concept refers to the ability to transform oneself into an animal alter ego, while the latter term indicates the use of architecture and monuments to ascertain a strong political power within a given community. Building on research previously conducted by Mesoamerican scholars, individual fieldwork at the site of Chalcatzingo, and a final iconographical analysis, the conclusions of this research have shed light on the social organization, exchange, and belief system of the Olmec region. As opposed to the mother-culture theory, it has become evident that the Olmec societies were part of a large network of interactions, where a dominant ideology was spread over an area extending from Guerrero, Mexico to as far as Honduras. The Olmec style art that is present in these settlements strongly reflects the worldview of the people, where the leader is regarded as being of divine descent, as is shown by his ability to transform into a nahual. With the capacity to communicate with the spirit world the Olmec ruler was placed in the absolute centre of the universe. These aspects are also visualized within the feline carvings of Chalcatzingo, which depict several generations of leaders in their nahualistic transformations. In most occasions these feline rulers are seated upon human individuals to indicate their power and dominance to the society, while the iconographical elements of the carvings clearly show the symbolic relation to the celestial realm. The latter aspect is also visible in other reliefs at the site, representing the important task of the leader to ask the spirits for fertile rains that would allow crops to grow in the relatively dry area of the settlement. Herewith the concept of ‘corporate art’ becomes clear, where the leader’s status was reflected and reinforced with the use of the present artworks. In the site of Chalcatzingo, the feline carvings located on the highest of the mountains thus reflect the dominant ideology that exists within Formative Olmec societies, symbolizing the eminent link that is present between the ruler and the sky.Show less

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Rulers of the sky: an iconographical analysis of Formative feline imagery in Chalcatzingo, Morelos, Mexico