Discover with us the Olmec Mythology and all its secrets. A culture with extensive traditions and legends that still survive.
Olmec Mythology
Olmec mythology was one of the most influential cultures in Mesoamerica in terms of its development and mythological point of view.
However, there are very few records about the Olmec culture, this makes that even today the Olmec mythology remains a mystery. All their beliefs, way of life, culture, religion and folklore is based on their art; that is, on their paintings, sculptures and archeology left by the Olmecs in the territory they inhabited.
Origin of Olmec Mythology
The Olmecs, were a great civilization that inhabited the southern part of the state of Veracruz, and extended to the western part of what is now the state of Tabasco in Mexico.The origin of the word “Olmec” comes from the Nahuatl, and means “inhabitants of the country of rubber”.
Approximately, it is believed that its origins date back to between 1200 B.C. and 800 B.C.; although from the archaeological data collected from their culture, many historians agree that the Olmec mythology has its origin around 400 B.C.
It is also believed that the Olmecs were an independent tribe that did not have any type of relationship with the other tribes of Mesoamerica until 100 B.C. After this time, they began to relate with the other Mesoamerican tribes.
As a consequence, the Olmec had a great influence on the culture of the Mesoamerican peoples. Especially in the Mayan mythology; and in others such as the Toltecs and the Mexica.
History of Olmec Mythology
Although even today, it is not clear what the origin of Olmec mythology is, throughout history there have been different archaeological findings that show what was the basis of their culture and beliefs.
According to these data, modern archaeologists have called the Olmecs as “the sons of the jaguar” or also known as “the people of the jaguar”. In their mythology, the Olmec used the images of different animals to represent their main gods.
In addition, a trait in common with all Mesoamerican tribes was to have “maize” as the basis of their agriculture, among other food and medicinal plants. The traces of art that have been found throughout the years of Olmec mythology are full of symbols that make reference to corn.
Due to their geographical domain, the Olmec were also called “the people of the rivers”; this is because rivers were an indispensable element for their development. Through it they could commercialize their products, as well as provide drink for their consumption and agriculture.
Throughout the history of Olmec mythology, they showed traits of a developed civilization that differentiated them from the other cultures of the Mesoamerican tribes; to such an extent, that they were even of great help to the development of the other cultures.
Ruins in Olmec mythology
In the territory where the Olmec mythology developed, nowadays different ruins have been found that contain figures, sculptures and paintings that represent which were their mythological figures.
In addition, they show what their beliefs, customs and way of life were. The best known Olmec ruin is “La Venta”, which is located in the state of Tabasco, Mexico.
There, different mythological representations of the Olmecs were found, dating from 800 B.C. and 400 B.C.; among them the most significant are the feathered serpent and the rain spirit, which are present in the most important stories of Olmec mythology.
All the Olmec ruins are located inside mountain caves; the reason is because they believed that the mountains were the place of connection between the earth, the sky and the underworld.
Religion of the Olmec mythology
The Olmec were the first existing civilization in Mesoamerica; covering the territory between Guatemala and Mexico. Therefore, they were the first culture to develop and which influenced the culture of all the other Mesoamerican tribes that emerged.
It had its main sources of ceremony, in the territories of: San Lorenzo de Tenochtitlan, Tres Zapotes and the region of Venta. Where their main cults based on their beliefs made it possible, thanks to their geographical position that their culture spread more easily to all pre-Hispanic tribes.
The religion of the Olmec mythology is characterized for being polytheistic; that is to say, they had a diversity of deities. And all of them were represented fundamentally in the elements of nature, animals and agriculture.
The Olmecs considered that all creation was a living being, for this reason they had a lot of respect for the elements of nature such as rivers, mountains, trees, among others.
Their gods were supernatural beings, who had great powers and were directly connected to their rulers and ancestors. However, the basis of Olmec religion was “nahualism”. This means, the belief that man can become any animal species, and also in the opposite direction.
For this reason, it is very common that in Olmec mythology most of their gods are represented by half human and half animal beings.
Gods and other beings of Olmec mythology
In Olmec mythology, each animal existing in nature represents one of their gods. For this reason, most of their deities are described as mystical creatures, in a combination of half animal and half human.
The Olmec believed that their gods were directly connected to their rulers. Their shamans and priests were in charge of speaking with the gods to communicate their mandates.
Even today, the great variety of Olmec gods is unknown; they could be classified according to their powers and objectives for which they were invoked. In healing gods, dark gods and evil gods.
In addition, also within the Olmec beliefs; each individual carried inside an animal which could be a god. Among the most representative gods of Olmec mythology, we have:
1.- Feathered Serpent
It is believed to have appeared in Olmec mythology around 1400 B.C., according to their beliefs the feathered serpent was the creator of books and mystical calendars.
However, they also relate it to death and resurrection; and it was the one that provided corn to all mankind. They describe it as a giant rattlesnake, which has feathers around its head and a giant crest.
2.- The Jaguar
The jaguar is the main god of Olmec mythology, also called “nahual”; he was directly related to rain and fertility. For the Olmecs, the jaguar was considered the mystical shaman of the animal world; it also represented power and fear towards its enemies.
According to the beliefs of Olmec mythology, if the jaguar disappeared from the earth, men would disappear with it. This is due to the great connection that exists between the jaguar and the human being.
The jaguar is the symbol that represents Olmec mythology, and for this reason they offered blood sacrifices to it. Most Olmec totems are represented by beings called “jaguar men”.
They describe him as a feline being with a striking physique, expressing beauty, elegance, power and fear. With an immense head and gigantic fangs.
3.- The man of the harvest
This is a young man who became a symbol of fertility in Olmec mythology, after sacrificing his own life in exchange for the whole world to receive food.
After this, he was recognized as an Olmec divine being. He was also called “Homshuk”, especially in the Veracruz area.
4.- Spirit of the rain
The second most important god in Olmec mythology, he directly influences the god of corn. This is because without him, there is no guarantee of growth and development of food.
The traces of offerings to the god of rain, are the spring that is located at the foot of the Manatí hill. It is common that the springs and mountains that exist throughout the territory of Olmec mythology, are the point of rituals and ceremonies that are still practiced today in honor of the rain god.
He is described as a masculine being, sometimes as a young man, child and even a goblin. It is characterized by fangs, a jagged mouth, a frown, slanted eyes and makes a very fierce growl.
5.- Corn God
Corn was the main food of the Olmec culture, and the one that had the greatest influence on their mythology. It is not possible to define exactly if the Olmec corn god was a man or a woman.
However, he was known as “Centéotl or Cintéotl”; which means god of grain. He is the most important divinity, not only of the Olmec mythology, but also of all the tribes that belong to Mesoamerica.
6.- Dragon God
This god was also called “monster of the earth”; he is described as a combination of physical features between a bird, a snake and a jaguar. Among other characteristics he had thick eyebrows from which fire sprang, a tongue like that of a snake and his nose was very bulging.
His fangs were gigantic and his eyes were hollow. It is a divinity that appears in most of the stories of Olmec mythology.
7.- Jaguar man
In Olmec mythology, there is a belief that jaguars mated with human women; creating these mystical beings called “jaguar men”. In this way, they assumed that their offspring came from the jaguar.
The jaguar man is present in most of the Olmec sculptures found, and is considered one of the most influential deities of the Olmec culture. He is characterized by having slanted eyes, a head of pronounced size and a mouth that is open, but the corners of his mouth are pointing downwards.
8.- Bandit God
The bandit god is a kind of mysterious divinity that appears in the stories of Olmec mythology; but he is not very well known. He is described as a being with a flat head, a torn eye that is covered by a band that covers half of his face; and the mouth with corners pointing downwards.
9.- Shark monster
This is one of the beings that is less understood within the symbolism of Olmec mythology. However, from the few records of their culture, it is believed that the shark monster played a fundamental role in theOlmec creation myth.
Human Sacrifice in Olmec Mythology
According to the records found over the years of Olmec mythological customs, there are indications that they practiced human sacrifice. These sacrifices were generally made with children.
These sacrifices were made in honor to the gods; mainly to the jaguar god who was their most important god and came from an animal of carnivorous nature.
There were also self-inflicted human sacrifices, these were made by shamans. They assured that through hallucinogenic plants, they could become any animal; and thus offer these sacrifices.
Rites and ceremonies in Olmec mythology
The most outstanding rites and ceremonies in Olmec mythology are those related to the deceased. Throughout the territory occupied by the Olmecs, remains of their ancestors belonging to all social classes within the tribe have been found.
The Olmec mythology stands out for being the most innovative culture in Mesoamerica in its rites and ceremonies. However, not everyone was buried in the same way.
The peasants had simple tombs, where they were sometimes accompanied by their pets; these were sacrificed in order to keep their owner company in the afterlife.
On the other hand, those who were kings or priests were buried in more elaborate tombs with offerings of all kinds, such as precious stones, ceramics, weapons, among others. There are also some indications of ceremonies performed by shamans for healing purposes.
Ceremonial centers of Olmec mythology
- San Lorenzo: it is considered the oldest area where Olmec mythology originated; the monuments made in this ceremonial center date from approximately 1200 B.C. to 900 B.C.
- La Venta: in this area is the most important ceremonial center of Olmec mythology. The oldest great pyramid in all of Mesoamerica was built here, representing the great architectural advance developed by the Olmecs. Its development was between 900 BC and 400 BC.
- Tres Zapotes: it was the last known ceremonial center of the Olmecs, and its use extended from 400 BC to 200 BC. With the world famous stone colossals heads.
Olmec science and mythology
The development of the hieroglyphic language used by the Olmecs to describe their way of life and lifestyle represents the scientific and cultural advances they developed.
One of the most important findings has been the “Cascajal block”, where more than 62 symbols have been identified. It is considered the oldest writing of Olmec mythology.
Their scientific advances are also reflected in the creation of the “long count calendar”, which consists of the creation of different calendar cycles. As well as the finding of the use of the number “zero” in their astronomical studies.
Olmec Myth of Creation Mythology
In the origin of the Olmec mythology times, when the gods descended to earth; they chose one of the women of the tribe according to her virtues and characteristics to be possessed by a jaguar.
Also in this myth, the woman gave birth to the first male jaguar of Olmec mythology. In this way the human population of the Olmecs grew; where the men were selected for war. And the women excelled in different types of art.
They all lived in harmony and peace, until one day the gods became angry because a young jaguar girl took notice of a young man who did not belong to the jaguar class of men. By procreating a son from this forbidden relationship, the gods punished the Olmec people with the scarcity of rain.
The young man, seeing his people suffering, offered his own son in sacrifice. The gods lifted the punishment on the people, but petrified the son with the father; this as a sign of respect towards the jaguar descendants for future generations.
Conclusion
Olmec mythology is based on the representation of their different deities, which are specifically focused on nature. The Olmec custom was to transmit their knowledge orally for generations.
For this reason, this culture is still largely unknown today. It can only be deduced, by its presence in the mythology of all the tribes belonging to Mesoamerica, that it had a great impact and influence on the development of the other cultures of this region.
Thank you for the highly informative and engrossing information.
I have a simple question: Is the deity’s spelled as Werejaguar? Or Were Jaguar? Thanks
Saleem
Jaguar is ok.