Olmec Outline
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- Category: History: Middle Eastern
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Michael Luna
World Religions
Period 3
2/28/10
The Olmec
Human Condition
The Olmec practiced Shamanism.
They believe that each individual has an animal spirit.
The jaguar was a very important figure to the Olmec.
"To the ancient Indians the jaguar was a symbol of supernatural forces-not a simple animal, but an ancestor and a god.”
They thought of the jaguar as a nahual, which is an animal that is closely related to a man, that if the animal dies, the man will also die.
The jaguar can be the symbol of something harmful and dangerous, although at other times it can be mischievous.
Spiritual Perfection
The Olmec were lead by the Shaman.
The Shaman would communicate to their gods through witchcraft.
The Shaman would chant to the jaguar deity to try and please their gods.
There are some Olmec myths that say that the Shaman would somehow obtain supernatural powers from the Jaguar.
Our Destiny
The Olmec thought the jaguar was sacred because they believed that the jaguar was a nahual and if the animal was to die then the man will die.
Their main was goal was to please their gods by performing rituals and chant to them.
Essence
Since there is a lack of historic evidence it is hard to determine the when the Olmec culture started.
The Olmec brought the first Mesoamerican Empire, whose remains are still visible.
The Olmec established the basic themes that continued at the heart of Mesoamerica cosmological and political thought.
Cahokia & other Mississippian Cultures
Human Conditions
The belief system of Mississippian culture is called Southeastern Ceremonial Complex or Southern Cult.
The leader was called “The Great Sun” and was worshiped as a god.
The leader would live on the highest mound because they believe that living high brought them...
World Religions
Period 3
2/28/10
The Olmec
Human Condition
The Olmec practiced Shamanism.
They believe that each individual has an animal spirit.
The jaguar was a very important figure to the Olmec.
"To the ancient Indians the jaguar was a symbol of supernatural forces-not a simple animal, but an ancestor and a god.”
They thought of the jaguar as a nahual, which is an animal that is closely related to a man, that if the animal dies, the man will also die.
The jaguar can be the symbol of something harmful and dangerous, although at other times it can be mischievous.
Spiritual Perfection
The Olmec were lead by the Shaman.
The Shaman would communicate to their gods through witchcraft.
The Shaman would chant to the jaguar deity to try and please their gods.
There are some Olmec myths that say that the Shaman would somehow obtain supernatural powers from the Jaguar.
Our Destiny
The Olmec thought the jaguar was sacred because they believed that the jaguar was a nahual and if the animal was to die then the man will die.
Their main was goal was to please their gods by performing rituals and chant to them.
Essence
Since there is a lack of historic evidence it is hard to determine the when the Olmec culture started.
The Olmec brought the first Mesoamerican Empire, whose remains are still visible.
The Olmec established the basic themes that continued at the heart of Mesoamerica cosmological and political thought.
Cahokia & other Mississippian Cultures
Human Conditions
The belief system of Mississippian culture is called Southeastern Ceremonial Complex or Southern Cult.
The leader was called “The Great Sun” and was worshiped as a god.
The leader would live on the highest mound because they believe that living high brought them...