Who was the Olmec main god?
Their religion centered around eight gods: the Olmec Dragon, the Bird Monster, the Shark Monster, the Banded-Eye god, the Maize God, the Rain Spirit, the Were-Jaguar, and the Feathered Serpent. The Olmec had the first representation of the feathered serpent that would show itself in later mesoamerican cultures.
Who were the Olmec gods?
Olmec Gods
- the Olmec Dragon.
- the Bird Monster.
- the Fish Monster.
- the Banded-Eye God.
- the Maize God.
- the Water God.
- the Were-Jaguar.
- the Feathered Serpent.
What was Olmec dragon god of?
The most commonly depicted pair are the Olmec Dragon (God I) and the Olmec Bird Monster (God III). The Olmec Dragon, believed to be a crocodilian with eagle, jaguar, human, and serpent attributes, appears to signify earth, water, fire, and agricultural fertility, and may have served as the patron deity of the elite.
What religion did the Olmecs practice?
The Olmecs believed in many different gods, meaning that they were a polytheistic civilization. They were thought to have practiced shamanism, meaning that they attributed human characteristics to animals and regarded them highly as gods; they also believed that every human being had an animal spirit within them.
What is the religion of Maya?
Most Maya today observe a religion composed of ancient Maya ideas, animism and Catholicism. Some Maya still believe, for example, that their village is the ceremonial centre of a world supported at its four corners by gods. When one of these gods shifts his burden, they believe, it causes an earthquake.
Did the Mayans worship cats?
Almost every ancient Mesoamerican civilization revered the jaguar in some way. The Olmec (circa 1200-400 B.C.) heavily featured jaguars in their art and religion. Sculptures of cats were popular, as were depictions of deities who appear to be half human, half jaguar, which scholars describe as were-jaguars.