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JAGUAR GODS

The pre-Columbian Maya civilization had various jaguar gods as well as protectors and transformers. . Their associated stories are not totally known to researchers.

The Jaguar God of Terrestrial Fire

The Jaguar God of Terrestrial Fire is recognizable by a 'cruller' around the eyes (making a loop over the nose), jaguar ears, and jaguar fangs. He represents the number Seven, which is associated with the day Ak'b'al 'Night'. He is usually called 'Jaguar God of the Underworld' and assumed to be the 'Night Sun',-- that is he is believbed to take the shape of the sun during his nightly journey through the underworld.

He is often represented on incense burners, and is connected to fire rituals. This god isrelated to battle. and his face is often shown on shields

God L

God L is one of the major aged Mayan deities, and associated with black sorcery and wealth. He has jaguar ears and lives in a jaguar palace. Some take him to be the main ruler over the Underworld, and in that sense, god L would have to be considered the true "Jaguar God of the Underworld".

The Jaguar Goddess of Midwifery

The aged goddess of midwifery (assisting in childbirth) and curing, Ix Chel, belongs to the jaguar deities. She has jaguar ears and claws and can show the looped cruller element of the Jaguar God of Terrestrial Fire , suggesting that she might be a wife to this deity.

The Jaguar Patron of the month of Pax

The patron deity of the month of Pax has jaguar paws above his ears, and no lower jaw. . In 16th-century Yucatan, rituals held in the month of Pax centered on the war leader and the puma deity, Cit Chac Coh. He presides over the transformation of a child into a jaguar and performs a sacrificial dance around the captured Rain Deity (Chaac). He can be shown as a tree, and as such, he witnesses the shooting of the Principal Bird Deity and of the Vulture King by Hun-Ahpu.

The Aged Jaguar Paddler

One of two aged deities steering the canoe with the Maize God has a jaguar headdress and is associated with Night, like the Jaguar God of Terrestrial Fire. Little else is known about him.

The Jaguar Twin Hero

The protective War Hero Twin of the Popol Vuh, Xbalanque, has patches of jaguar pelt stuck to his skin.

Jaguar Protectors and Jaguar Transformers

The Water Lily Jaguar (he has a waterlily on his head) is both a giant jaguar protector, looming large above the king (such as in the Tikal wooden lintel 3, temple I), and a transformer often shown amidst flames. An unexplained transformation into a jaguar involves a male child with jaguar ears and a jaguar tail --the so-called Jaguar Baby. This Jaguar Baby can assume the features of the Jaguar God of Terrestrial Fire.

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