This figurine is in the Jaina style, named after a small island off the coast of Campeche, Mexico. Jaina was a Maya center occupied from the Late Preclassic period (ca. 300 BCE–250 CE) to the Late Postclassic period (ca. 1200–1500 CE), with a peak population in the Late Classic (ca. 600–800 CE) and Terminal Classic (ca. 800–900 CE) periods. A large number of figurines and anthropomorphic whistles similar to this one have been recovered from the island. Like this example, figurines from Jaina are mold made, with individual details added by hand. They depict a variety of subjects, from seated young women to warriors to anthropomorphic beings. While many of these artifacts lack archaeological context, excavations have recovered figurines in the burials of adults and infants. Although this style of figurine is closely associated with Jaina Island, source testing of ceramic material in other museum collections indicates that Jaina-style figurines may have been produced and traded throughout Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, and Chiapas, Mexico. Jaina-style figurines seem to represent ideal “types” of people rather than individual portraits. The portliness of this figure, combined with his heavy jowls and protruding belly, suggest ties with the “Fat God,” a poorly understood character who appears throughout ancient Mesoamerican belief systems. Because his status as a deity is unclear, some scholars, such as archaeologist Christina Halperin, refer to him as the “Fat Man.” First appearing in art from the Preclassic period, the “Fat Man” is a common figurine subject, characterized by his corpulent stomach, sagging jowls, and closed, puffy eyes. The “Fat Man” is associated with humor and musical performance, and in the Classic period he may have been a ritual clown, much like the court jester in Medieval Europe. In some examples he wears a textured bodysuit, dances, and holds a fan.

Fat Man figure
pottery, pigment
circa 600-800 CE
Maya culture
Jaina Island, Mexico

- the mythical Fat Man/God of the Maya!

#art #sculpture #handmade #pottery #Maya #mayanculture #jainaisland #mexico #mesoamerica #precolumbian #prehispanic #ancientart #ancientsculpture #fatman #fatgod #god #jester

The Mesoamerican ballgame is among the most important and enduring cultural features of the Pre-Columbian world, and its accompanying accoutrements of yokes, hachas, and palmas comprise one of the most important categories of stone sculpture. The objects known as hachas, the Spanish word for “axes”, were originally named for their tapering form’s supposed resemblance to large stone axe heads. Like yokes and palmas, these enigmatic stone artifacts probably represent ritual effigies of actual ballgame equipment that was probably made of lighter and more perishable materials. These ceremonial objects in stone were evidently of high value, but many questions remain around the context in which they were originally used. The bold and assured carving of the present hacha illustrates several features that are particularly distinctive to hachas depicting bats. These include the large, pricked, ears, the depiction of the tragus, the fleshy form at the lower part of the ear, and the perforation in the upper half, which Shook and Marquis note “seldom occurs on specimens in other categories” (Edwin M. Shook and Elayne Marquis, op. cit., p. 77). Interestingly, this perforation is present on almost every hacha from the great Mayan city state of Palenque (ibid.). Although illustrating features distinctive to a bat, something in the powerful physiognomy of this hacha seems to suggest a snarling jaguar. This hacha differs from most depictions of jaguars in hachas – although the fleshy snout suggests the big cat more than the bat – but Shook and Marquis note the resemblance, and state that “perhaps bat/jaguar/serpent would more accurately describe this representation.” (ibid., p. 80). The serpent, which here arches up from the bat’s snout, its slithering head atop the bat’s ear, was a creature with “important mythological connotations, and often associated with water and rain.” (ibid., p. 171). Hachas with secondary representations are rare.

Snake-Bat-Cat Hacha
carved stone
circa 550-950 CE
Maya culture
Mexico

#hacha #maya #snake #bat #cat #zoomorphic #carved #stone #Maya #mayanculture #mesoamerica #palenque #mexico #ancientart #precolumbian #prehispanic #mesoamericanballgame #ceremonial #ritual #sculpture #art #mayanart #ancientmexico

3 swimmers in a cenote floating under a waterfall. The falling water is visible in the dark water of the cenote and visible as it falls being lit by the sunlight. The cenote is called Ik Kil and it's situated near the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza in the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico.

Swimming under the waterfalls in the Ik Kil cenote near Chichen Itza in the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico

#cenote #IkKil #Yucatan #Mexico #photography #naturephotography #landscapephotography #Mayanculture #artphotography #waterfalls

A nature seen in the background. The image says: "Colonialism didn't just steal land—it rewrote the story of nature. It taught us to see the Earth as something to dominate, not something to belong to. The fight for decolonization is the fight to unlearn this lie and rebuild our relationship with the planet."

I've been processing this article and it's really shaken me.

www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/12/apocaly...

History has understated the Mayan civilization because we can't grasp it […]

[Original post on beige.party]

Scientists found the key to accurate Maya eclipse tables https://arstechni.ca #archaeoastronomy #Mayacalendar #Mayanculture #Archaeology #Science

Chaac is the Mayan god of rain, thunder, and lightning, vital for agriculture and crops like maize. He is depicted holding a lightning axe or snakes, which he uses to strike clouds and bring rain. Chaac is also associated with fertility, is believed to live in caves and cenotes (underground water sources), and has four incarnations associated with the cardinal directions.

Head of the rain god Chaac
carved limestone
circa 10th-11th century
Mayan civilization
Yucatán, Mexico

#Maya #mayanculture #ancientart #precolumbian #prehispanic #mesoamerica #chaac #chahk #godofrain #godoffertility #carved #limestone #handmade #art #sculpture #ancientculture #yucatan #mexico

Cabeza ataviada de Chaac deidad Maya de la lluvia. Con colores amarillo, rojo y azul turquesa.

El señor de la lluvia Chaac
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#lluvia #drawingoftheday #inkdrawing #chaac #maya #mayanculture #tlaloc #drawing #dibujo #agua #deidad #mithology

New Listing at #12thHouseBooks (link in profile). #MayanCalender #chargingplate #wallhanging #MayanArt #MayanCulture

The mosaic mask featuring fangs, attributed to the Maya civilization and dating between 1200 and 1520 AD, exemplifies the intricate artistry and spiritual depth of Mesoamerican cultures. Such masks were not merely decorative; they embodied profound religious and cosmological significance. Crafted meticulously, these masks often utilized materials like turquoise, lignite, and various shells, each chosen for its symbolic meaning and aesthetic appeal. The incorporation of fangs into the design likely represented powerful deities or supernatural beings, emphasizing themes of strength and protection. These elements suggest the masks played a role in rituals or ceremonies, possibly serving as conduits between the physical and spiritual realms. The use of precious materials and the complexity of the designs indicate that such masks were significant cultural artifacts, reflecting the Maya's sophisticated understanding of art and symbolism. They offer valuable insights into the civilization's beliefs, societal structures, and interactions with the divine.

Mosaic mask with fangs.
Maya civilization
Mexico
1200-1520 AD

#precolumbian #prehispanic #Maya #mexico #mask #jaguar #religion #archeology #mesoamerica #mayanculture #mayanreligion #turquoisemosaic #mayanmosaic #mayanmask

Hit follow, drop a 🩷, share, & comment. #fypシ Piece: “Incensario efigie” 📷: @inahmx.bsky.social / National Institute of Anthropology and History (Mexico). @MuseoRegChis Disclaimer: The uploaded image includes source information. Its origin—whether AI-generated or not—remains uncertain. This photo is shared solely for non-commercial and bona fide purposes. If any © concerns arise, please notify me, and I will promptly take the appropriate action. Feel free to share comments if the information differs. Let’s keep it clear, friendly, and respectful.

#Maya ideas about the earthly & supernatural worlds were represented in reliefs, censers, & incense burners, w/ the most spectacular examples found in #Palenque. This #ceramic censer, shaped & painted by hand, comes from Comitán, #Chiapas #Mexico

#MexicanArt #MayanEffigy #MayanCulture #Refinement

A Mayan hacha (Spanish for "axe") is a ceremonial object, specifically a piece of protective gear, associated with the Mesoamerican ball game. Hachas were worn by players for protection and to possibly enhance their ability to bounce the ball, and they could also represent the power of associated deities or animals. Hachas were part of the uniform worn by players in the Mesoamerican ball game, a ritualistic sport with significant social and religious importance. Players would wear hachas for protection during the game, and it's believed they also served to channel the power of the animals or deities depicted on the hacha. In Mayan culture, deer hold significant meaning and are a central part of their rituals and symbolism. Deer are a primary food source, depicted in art, and are associated with various deities and spiritual beliefs, including the Manik/Deer spirit animal and the Deer Dance.

A Mayan carved stone Deer hacha circa 500-800 CE.

#Maya #mayan #mesoamerica #precolumbian #prehispanic #carvedstone #hacha #ballgame #amulet #protective #channelspirits #deer #mayanculture #mayanreligion #archeology #ancientamericas #mexico

Discover the Magic of Riviera Maya! 🏝️
From pristine beaches and ancient Mayan ruins to vibrant local culture and luxury resorts, Riviera Maya offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.

Visit: www.skymed.com

#RivieraMaya #TravelMexico #BeachParadise #MayanCulture #TropicalGetaway

I learned recently how the Mayans made paint for their pottery and codex's, so I decided to make a chibi comic all about the process! The clay they used in real life is called polygorskite.
#comic #comics #OCs #OC #OCart #art #artwork #digitalart #mayanculture

On a recent trip to a Mayan village, we experienced a ceremony by a shaman. I was struck by the similarities between their rituals and those in India even though the 2 civilizations evolved independently.

#indianculture #incredibleindia #mayanculture #joyfulculturalconnections

#CEMICAN
#Metal
#MetalMexicano
#Maya
#Folkmetal
#Mayanculture
youtu.be/D5akxscDVVY?...

Mayan Dancers at Hanal Pixan celebrations at Tres Lagunas, El Cedral, Quintana Roo, Mexico #mayanculture #mexicoculture #dayofthedead #hanalpixan

Sra Clarita y familia en Tres Laguna, El Cedral durante las celebraciones de Hanal Pixan. Hanal Pixan es la versión. Ms. Clarita and family at Tres Lagunas, El Cedral during Hanal Pixan. Hanal Pixan is the Mayan version of Day of the Dead. #HanalPixan #mayanculture #mexico #mexicanculture