Much like we can conceive of spirits haunting the earth after their bodily demise, ancient spiritual powers, accumulated after centuries of reverence, continue to inhabit certain sacred object long after the civilization that created them has faded away. This cylindrical container, originally used for the consumption of a Mayan concoction of chilies and cacao, is certainly one such object. The symbolism behind the decorations on this vessel is mysterious, yet there is a relation. A bird has been painted onto the uppermost band. The feathered wings are quite clear, as is the long swooping beak. This long beak reappears in the carvings that adorn the majority of the exterior. Although now, the beak extends from the mouth of a human who stands, arms crossed, wearing a thick belt and elaborate headdress almost the size of his entire torso. Perhaps this figure is a shaman who has transformed into the bird. To the left of the figure, two rows of repeating glyphs, one in the form of a face, the other a feather, have been carved. There is a clear relation between these two figures, between these images. The rest of the vessel has been painted with concentric rings against a black background. Perhaps this pattern represents the plumage of the bird. This masterpiece contains a level of sophistication in the iconography and symbolism that is greater than our own comprehension.