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 way he or she possesses.
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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
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