The jaguar remains a powerful symbol throughout Central and South America.

Jaguar images and costumes were outlawed by the Catholic church in the seventeenth century because of their association with Indian religious, military, and political structures. However, the jaguar has survived as an important aspect in ritual celebrations in Central America today. It now represents a blend of Indian and European elements, combining pre-Columbian rituals with events and symbols of Christian significance.

Masked festivals in Central America often coincide with important Catholic holidays. This photo shows a dance celebrating Corpus Christi, the Feast of the Sacrament, at the small town of Suchiapa, Mexico. Actors wear masks, such as the one below, representing jaguars or tigres. This celebration takes place in the rainy season and demonstrates the continued association of the jaguar with rain and fertility.