The Olmec gods belonged to the mythology of this pre-Hispanic culture, which was the first great civilization in Guatemala and Mexico. The Olmecs inhabited the tropical region of south-central Mexico, now occupied by the states of Veracruz and Tabasco. Some anthropologists believe that the Olmec culture was derived from the neighboring Mokaya and Mixe-Zoque cultures.
Image gallery of Olmec gods
Olmec gods
The Olmec gods flourished during the Mesoamerican formative period, approximately between 1500 BC and 400 AD. Some of the best-known aspects of Olmec culture are artistic, largely represented by the colossal heads, also known as “Olmec heads.”
1.- Olmec Jaguar Warrior. 16th century.
As for their religious beliefs and practices, these were carried out by a mixture of governors, priests, and shamans. It seems that the governors were the most important figures within the Olmec religious organization, believing that they had direct links to the deities or supernatural beings.
Shamans performed healing rituals for the sick. It is believed that the sun was one of the idols they worshipped, along with the jaguar.
2.- Male jaguar
This entity was at once an Olmec motif, a figure that appeared in multiple graphic representations, and a deity. Its classic features include slanted eyes, an open mouth with downward corners, and a prominent head.
There are many appearances in archaeological remains. According to interpretations of the Olmec codices, its origin could be the relationship between a woman and a jaguar.
3.- Feathered serpent
This is also an icon in several Mesoamerican cultures. Its oldest representation is that of the Olmecs, estimated to date from around 1400 BC.
Some of the archaeological remains that represent it, such as in La Venta, Mexico, show it as a crested rattlesnake with feathers covering its body. It was usually close to humans.
4.- Shark Monster
The shark is an important but often misunderstood element in Olmec iconography. The “Shark Monster” is believed to have played a key role in the story of creation.
While fighting a hero at the beginning of time, it lost an arm, which led to the formation of the earth’s surface. It is one of the few marine symbols in the mythology of this culture.
5.- Bandit God
This enigmatic deity takes its name from the narrow band that runs across one side of its face, from one of its slanted eyes. Like many other Olmec gods, the representation of the bandit god has a flat head and a mouth with downward-turned corners.
6.- Man of the Harvest
In the cultures that flourished in Mesoamerica, fertility was represented by this deity. Like many other Olmec effigies, the graphic representations of the harvest man were characterized by a distinctive slit in the head. Mythology indicated that this god was a man who decided to sacrifice his life so that his people could produce food.
7.- The Olmec Dragon
The Olmec Dragon is depicted as a crocodile-like creature, occasionally with human, eagle, or jaguar features. Its mouth, sometimes open in ancient carved images, is seen as a cave: perhaps for this reason, the Olmecs were fond of cave painting.
He represented the Earth or at least the plane on which humans lived. As such, he represented agriculture, fertility, fire, and otherworldly things. The dragon may have been associated with the ruling classes or the Olmec elite. This ancient creature may be the ancestor of Aztec gods such as Cipactli, a crocodile god, or Xiuhtecuhtli, a fire god.
8.- The Bird Monster
The Bird Monster represented the sky, the sun, government, and agriculture. It is depicted as a fearsome bird, sometimes with reptilian features. The bird monster may have been the favorite god of the ruling class.
Carved likenesses of rulers are sometimes shown with symbols of bird monsters on their clothing. The city, once located at the archaeological site of La Venta, worshipped the Bird Monster: its image appears frequently, even on an important altar.
9.- The God of the Banded Eye
Little is known about the mysterious blindfolded god. His name reflects his appearance. He always appears in profile, with an almond-shaped eye. A band or stripe runs behind or across the eye.
The God of the Ringed Eyes seems more human than many of the other Olmec gods. He is occasionally found on pottery, but a good image appears on a famous Olmec statue, the Las Limas 1 Monument.
10.- The God of Corn
Because corn was such an important staple food in the Olmecs’ lives, it is not surprising that they dedicated a god to its production. The God of Corn appears as a human figure with a corn stalk growing out of his head. Like the Bird Monster, the symbolism of the God of Corn appears frequently in representations of rulers. This may reflect the ruler’s responsibility to ensure abundant harvests for the people.
11.- The God of Water
The God of Water often formed a kind of divine team with the God of Corn: the two are often associated with each other. The Olmec God of Water appears as a chubby dwarf or a baby with a frightening face reminiscent of the Jaguar Man.
The Water God’s domain was probably not only water in general, but also rivers, lakes, and other sources of water. The Water God appears in various forms of Olmec art, including large sculptures and smaller figures and celts. He may be an ancestor of later Mesoamerican water gods such as Chac and Tlaloc.
Conclusion
The Olmec culture was the first great Mesoamerican civilization, which flourished in the humid lowlands of the Gulf Coast, mainly in the present-day states of Tabasco and Veracruz. Today, little survives of this great civilization, but they left behind a rich artistic legacy that includes their majestic colossal carved heads.
