Sacred and ferocious, the Maya jaguar stands as a symbol of power and leadership. This mask is carved by hand from cedar wood and embellished with painted details. From Jaguar Archeological Project, the mask replicates those found adorning sculpture number 35 in the Sonsonate Department. Conscious of the environment, the Project only uses branches and does not cut down trees. Throughout El Salvador there have been found images depicting the jaguar with a crest, big mouth and fangs, as well as an inverted “u” shaped nostrils and swirling eyes. Known as Balam or Chac, according to Maya cosmogony the jaguar represents nature’s elements: water, earth, fire, and air. Maya shamans, priests and rulers used the jaguar as a symbol of authority and leadership. The upper part of the head usually represents life elements, and the lower part connotes a skeleton. Jaguar masks are believed to represent the transformation of a human into a being with magical powers.
Language: English
