Beak of an eagle as head
Eagle
The old eagle, laying in the air, moving his far extended wings only unnoticeably, the jungle, covering the landscape underneath him in a multiple green, beautifully reflects the tropical sunlight, while his gliding flight moves him on and on. His eyes see the rivers, the tiny ponds, even each single turtle, each lizard.
The old eagle, laying in the air, moving his far extended wings only unnoticeably, the jungle, covering the landscape underneath him in a multiple green, beautifully reflects the tropical sunlight, while his gliding flight moves him on and on. His eyes see the rivers, the tiny ponds, even each single turtle, each lizard.
Eagle warrior, statuette bought in Mexico City
And they see the temples, the villages, the fights, all human blood. The old eagle understands that times are changing, legions of invaders, more blood, more fights, spreading throughout the land, never seen before.
The land of the aztecs, on the way to become a giant graveyard, buried under the city of a new world. Clouds are rising, dark and impenetrable, blinding the eyes of the eagle.
Backside of my eagle warrior statuette
Eagle warrior
Tenochtitlán was the largest city on the American continent, it was the largest city in the world. A very developed high culture in a land, ruled by a small army of evil gods. Human sacrifices, temples of blood, wars, but nevertheless life of a high degree of civilisation.
Military casts only existed in ritualized wars with neighboring tribes, being named the flower wars. Target was to capture as many prisoners as possible. Blood sacrifices for the gods.
Tenochtitlán was the largest city on the American continent, it was the largest city in the world. A very developed high culture in a land, ruled by a small army of evil gods. Human sacrifices, temples of blood, wars, but nevertheless life of a high degree of civilisation.
Military casts only existed in ritualized wars with neighboring tribes, being named the flower wars. Target was to capture as many prisoners as possible. Blood sacrifices for the gods.
As more prisoners were captured as higher was the ranking of a warrior. One of the highest casts were the eagle warriors. Feathers, wings, beak, not imitating, but being an eagle. Finally useless warriors, they lost, when the smallpox came, spread around by Spanish invaders.
Lower part of the eagle beak looking like a beard
Jaguar
The Maya civilisation knew numerous animals that they considered unusual enough to be either adopted as human doubles or to be worshiped for unearthly abilities.
The jaguar Panthera onca is a powerful feline predator, although having some similarities with leopards, its jaws are the strongest of all big feline species. No wonder that all kinds of its attributes were considered of royal significance. Its fur adorned thrones. Its shape was sculpted in stone.
The Maya civilisation knew numerous animals that they considered unusual enough to be either adopted as human doubles or to be worshiped for unearthly abilities.
The jaguar Panthera onca is a powerful feline predator, although having some similarities with leopards, its jaws are the strongest of all big feline species. No wonder that all kinds of its attributes were considered of royal significance. Its fur adorned thrones. Its shape was sculpted in stone.
Small figurines of a toad and a jaguar being inspired by statues in ancient Mayan cities like Uxmal, bought in Yucatan
Mexican burrowing toad
The "Uo frog" Rhinophrynus dorsalis and the toad Bufo marinus represent the two most important anuran amphibs for the different tribes of Maya. All human interest was due to specific biological abilities of these anurans.
Bufo marinus is poisonous. It does not attack nor bite its enemies, but a bite into its meat has an efficient effect. There is indication that toads were either used to poison opponents or prisoners or were part of spiritual rituals, in which their poison was used to create hallucinogenic effects.
The "Uo frog" Rhinophrynus dorsalis and the toad Bufo marinus represent the two most important anuran amphibs for the different tribes of Maya. All human interest was due to specific biological abilities of these anurans.
Bufo marinus is poisonous. It does not attack nor bite its enemies, but a bite into its meat has an efficient effect. There is indication that toads were either used to poison opponents or prisoners or were part of spiritual rituals, in which their poison was used to create hallucinogenic effects.
Rhinophrynus dorsalis was a miracle for Mayan tribes around the peninsula of Yucatan. It disappeared in the dry season, but reappeared together with rain, with the beginning growth of new life. The Mexican burrowing toad as bringer of fertility, creating seasonal changes, equipped with the power of a little God.
Seemingly Rhinophrynus dorsalis and a jaguar, small figurines as souvenirs
Uxmal
Like Chichén Itzá, Uxmal was a important ancient Mayan city on Yucatan. Even from far away, the ruins still surmount the extended green of the rain forest, pyramids, temples of gods, remnants of an old civilization, occupied by the ongoing growth of nature.
Like Chichén Itzá, Uxmal was a important ancient Mayan city on Yucatan. Even from far away, the ruins still surmount the extended green of the rain forest, pyramids, temples of gods, remnants of an old civilization, occupied by the ongoing growth of nature.
Ancient walls of Uxmal, digitally remastered analogue photography, like all subsequent photos too, my stay in Merida, Yucatan, in 2002
One of many permanent natural waterholes, based on a specific geology of the Uxmal region
Already left into the process of decaying, when the Spanish invaders arrived. According to colonial literature sources, partly being based on native information, the city was in the 7th or 8th century founded by members of the princely family Tutul Xiu.
One of the pyramids of the ancient city Uxmal
A part of the building complex of the ancient Mayan city Uxmal
Around the beginning of the 10th century the Xiu moved their principality to Manu in the center of Yucatan. There the Tutul Xiu still live until today. Uxmal became its own graveyard. But most of the Mayan tribes survived the invasive aggressiveness of the Spanish colonialism. Their ancient history, remaining still in major parts buried by a huge green carpet of new life.
Statute with - to me - unknown meaning
One of the few Uxmal statues showing a rather realistic view to a male torso including his genitals
Church from colonial times in Merida
A central place in the modern city Merida/ Yucatan peninsula
All copyrights Stefan F. Wirth, 29 January 2021
