To assert lordly power, chiefs and kings wore jewelry representing the jaguar. The jaguar was the most feared and revered beast in Meso-America. The big cat played a prominent religious role in Ancient Maya civilization. Jaguar gods were present in every major Meso-American civilization, but jaguars were important shamanic creatures, as well. In states of ritual transformation, humans changed themselves into jaguars from at least Olmec times onward. The obvious characteristic of this mysterious carving is the jaguar nose and mouth. The other carvings may indicate glyphs, esoteric meanings or other symbolic animal characteristics. Your imagination will be engrossed in deciphering this carving. A chief or king may have worn this during a ritual ceremony to assert his power and supernatural association with the jaguar. This pendant captures our attention and triggers our imagination to the fascinating artistic world of the Maya.