The jaguar was the largest and most culturally significant of the spotted cats in Central and South America. "It is a dweller of the forests... It is the lord, the ruler of the animals." - Fr. Bernardino de Sahagun Throughout pre-Columbian America the jaguar was worshiped and feared for its ability as a hunter. Its nocturnal prowling through the moist, lowland forests led it to be mystically associated with the night, the underworld, rain, and fertility. The hunter, the warrior, the ruler, and the priest wore jaguar skins in order to share the power of the jaguar. Mayan priests often had jaguar names and sat on symbolic jaguar seats, while warriors dressed in jaguar skins, believing that they took on some of the powers of the jaguar. Jaguars were important elements in ancient Aztec culture. The Spanish legend of this drawing from the Codex Magliabecchiano (Fig. 278) says: "This figure is that of a merchant who, when he died, was cremated and buried with his property and jaguar skins, as many as he had of them; they put them all around him, the gold, jewels, and fine stones which they had..."

Feline figures are found in nearly all Native American cultures. In Costa Rica, the jaguar was often portrayed on ceremonial grinding stones.

Sometimes the jaguar was "killed" by putting a hole through the center of the grinding stone.

This effigy pot, also from Costa Rica, has a feline head combined with a human-like pose of the arms and legs. This mixing of animal and human features is common throughout the Americas.

This pot also has painted jaguar heads on its sides. These heads may have represented a sun-eating god. Images of both jaguars and ocelots were common in ancient America. Select any of the following to see a few examples; Peruvian Effigy Jar Peruvian Spout Vessel Mexican Wheeled Feline Figure Feline Effigy Jar