The Ancient Costa Ricans believed that the continuation of life required ritual sacrifice in order to appease the powers that governed life. Prisoners of war were used as sacrificial victims, and wars were waged specifically for this purpose. The making of a sculpture, such as this powerful example, marked the end point of a cycle, beginning with battle and ending in a representation of the brave warrior holding his trophy head. In this statue we see symbols and attributes most crucial to daily existence; the axe, fertility-sexuality, courage and conquest. Once all these elements are combined in a sculpture they become in effect 'solidified,' permanent as the hard volcanic stone from which they are carved. The lovely ornate belt around the warrior's waist adds a textural quality, as does the scarification on the sides of the legs. Both heighten the man's bold nakedness, which shows he is brave enough not to need protective armor. Also, only the elite classes and nobility went about naked, the working classes were the ones who wore clothing. The sheer power of this figure's physical presence makes him seem larger than life; the way great warriors of the past must have appeared to both friends and foes.