Painted cylindrical vase
Late Classic San Augustín Acasaguastlán
Interpretation of the the vase’s symbolism is uncertain. The glyph band below the rim is probably the Primary Standard Sequence. Four human figures parade around the vase, one accompanied by an erect mammal and another accompanied by an insect. Two humans carry staffs that are similar to maize stalks, one human has a less elaborate staff and the fourth has no staff.
HM1194
THE NATURAL WORLD
Maya artists produced renderings of types of animals which were significant to the members of society as food, pets or pests. It is difficult to determine if animals depicted on ceramic vessels are parts of purely naturalistic scenes, are related to stories whose texts have not survived from the Classic period or are supernatural creatures. Some of these animals probably represent counterparts of humans, or wayob. Among the present-day Tzotzil Maya of Chiapas it is believed that every individual has an animal counterpart which must be protected from harm in order to stay alive. A person’s status in society determines the kind of wayob he or she possesses.