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Native American Religions


Religions and cults of the indigenous people of the American continent: North American tribes, Aztec, Maya, and other natives.



50 photos
Teotihuacan, Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent, and Tlaloc, the rain-god. Heads of Jaguars, symbol of death, jut out from flowers, symbol of plenitude; the god Tlaloc is shown with a face of corncobs and large goggles (3rd-6th CE).
#12010265

Teotihuacan, Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent, and Tlaloc, the...

A ballgames player. Kneeling on one leg, he throws the rubber ball with his right arm, his rump protected by a wide girdle. The ballgame symbolized the war of the Heavenly Twins against the rulers of the Underworld. Limestone (600-900 CE), 27.6 x 18.1 cm. Inv.24/457
#12010334

A ballgames player. Kneeling on one leg, he throws the rubber ball with his rig...

A ballgame player, funerary gift from the burial site on the Isle of Jaina, Mexico. Participants in the cult game wore elaborate headgear, necklaces, earplugs, a wide, cushioned girdle and knee-pads with skulls. Clay (600-900 CE). Height 17.1 cm. Inv. 10-6167
#12010335

A ballgame player, funerary gift from the burial site on the Isle of Jaina, Me...

Small temple with female ballplayer, next to her two dwarfs. Women are unlikely to have taken part in the ballgame, but had ritual functions. Funerary gift from the burial site on the Isle of Jaina, Mexico. Clay (600-900 CE). Height 20 cm. Inv. 10-78147
#12010337

Small temple with female ballplayer, next to her two dwarfs. Women are unlike...

"Hacha", a flat, polished sculpture associated with the Maya ballgame. The significance is unknown; hachas may have been markers, or trophies, or models for the players' leather belts. From El Salvador, 600-900 CE. Basalt. Height 30 cm. Inv. SW 2-65
#12010338

"Hacha", a flat, polished sculpture associated with the Maya ballgame. The signi...

"Hacha", a flat, highly polished sculpture associated with the Maya ballgame. This hacha shows a bird of prey on a skull. Hachas may have been markers, or trophies, or models for the players' leather belts (600-900 CE). Volcanic stone. Height 29.5 cm, from Guatemala.
#12010339

"Hacha", a flat, highly polished sculpture associated with the Maya ballgame....

Censer, upper part of a vessel in which fragrant resin was burnt. The incense issued from the mouth of the human head. From Amatitlan-Lake, Guatemala. Sacrificial vessels were thrown into the lake during ceremonies. Clay with paint (250-600 CE). Height 70 cm. Inv. 216
#12010340

Censer, upper part of a vessel in which fragrant resin was burnt. The incense i...

Censer, in the form of a corpulent dignitary; from tomb 22, Uaxactun, El Peten, Guatemala. The incense issued from eyes, nose and mouth. Clay (250-600 CE) Height 22.9 cm Inv. 214 a,b
#12010342

Censer, in the form of a corpulent dignitary; from tomb 22, Uaxactun, El Pe...

Top of a censer, figure of a dignitary, probably ruler of Copan, Honduras. The elaborate headdress and the decorations worn over the mouth (a symbol of self- mortification) are typical of the Kings of Copan. Clay, paint (7th), 105 cm. From Copan, Structure XXXVII-4
#12010343

Top of a censer, figure of a dignitary, probably ruler of Copan, Honduras. The...

Top of a censer from the same tomb site as 12-01-03/43. One of 11 censer figures "watching" tomb XXXVII-4, perhaps representing ancestors. Wide turban-like headdress, earplugs, pectoral. Clay,paint (7th), 58 cm. From Copan, Structure 26, in front of tomb XXXVII-4
#12010344

Top of a censer from the same tomb site as 12-01-03/43. One of 11 censer figures...

Head of a prince, part of a more than life-size statue, from the roof of the "Temple of Meditation", Copan. These "roof-figures" represent ancestors, placed at the highest level of the temple. Volcanic limestone (695-738 CE). Height 64 cm. Inv. CPN-244
#12010345

Head of a prince, part of a more than life-size statue, from the roof of the "Te...

Ceremonial adze, representing the Olmec "God I" with his typical flaming eyebrows. Olmec art was a major influence on early Maya art. Green jadeite (1200-800 BCE). Height 29.5 cm. Inv. St. 536
#12010346

Ceremonial adze, representing the Olmec "God I" with his typical flaming...