Olmec Civilization: Religion

The Fish Monster

Also called the Shark Monster, the Monster is thought to represent the underworld and appears as a frightening shark or fish with shark's teeth.

The Maize God

Because maize was such an important staple of life of the Olmec, it's not surprising that they dedicated a god to its production. The God appears as a human-ish figure with a stalk of corn growing out of his head.

The Banded-Eye God

Little is known about the mysterious God. Its name is a reflection of its appearance. It always appears in profile, with an almond shaped eye. A band or stripe passes behind or through the eye. The God appears more human than many of the other Olmec gods.

Olmec Dragon

The Dragon is depicted as a crocodile-like being, occasionally having human, eagle or jaguar features. His mouth, sometimes open in ancient carved images, is seen as a cave: perhaps, for this reason, the Olmec were fond of cave painting. The Dragon represented the Earth, or at least the plane upon which humans lived. As such, he represented agriculture, fertility, fire and other worldly things. The dragon may have been associated with the Olmec ruling classes or elite. This ancient creature may be the forebear of Aztec gods such as Cipactli, a crocodile god, or Xiuhtecuhtli, a fire god.

The Feathered Serpent

The Feathered Serpent is shown as a rattlesnake, either coiled or slithering, with feathers on its head. This common ancestor of the significant feathered serpents to come in Mesoamerican religion is considered important by researchers.

The Water God

The God often formed a divine team of sorts with the Maize God: the two are often associated with one another. The Olmec God appears as a chubby dwarf or infant with a gruesome face reminiscent of the Were-Jaguar. The Water God's domain was likely not only water in general, but also rivers, lakes and other water sources.

The Bird Monster

The Monster represented the skies, sun, rulership, and agriculture. It is depicted as a fearsome bird, sometimes with reptilian features.

The Were-Jaguar

The Olmec God is a most intriguing god. It appears as a human baby or infant with distinctly feline features, such as fangs, almond-shaped eyes and a cleft in his head. In some depictions, the were-jaguar baby is limp, as if it is dead or sleeping.