Keywords
Tlaloc, Maya, Teotihuacan, Iconography, Ideology, Religion, Cultural Contact
Abstract
Iconography has the capability to memorialize and guarantee one's place in history; iconography can also provide powerful insight into human culture, and explore social and cultural values in a visual manner. Iconography can incorporate information about group identities, allegiances, religious affiliations, propaganda, and acceptance within both modern and ancient societies. By studying a specific iconographic figure, the Central Mexican god Tlaloc, as a visual representation of a belief or identity, we can glean a greater understanding of the cultural transmission of iconographic symbols. The substantial use of this icon, in both Central Mexico and the Maya region, reveals iconography as capable of being catalogued and traced over space and time to interpret meaning. With these goals in mind, this research project focuses on the iconographic representations of the Central Mexican god Tlaloc in the Maya region. It was during the Early Classic Period (A.D. 250-550) that Tlaloc transcended the boundaries of Central Mexico and was adopted into Maya ideology. During the Late Classic Period (A.D.550-900), a 'Maya Tlaloc' was established and used to express ideologies depicting warfare and ritual activity. The adoption of Tlaloc imagery among the ancient Maya ultimately holds significant value to understanding Maya ideology and religion as well as facilitates an understanding of wide-scale interactions with Central Mexico.
Notes
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Graduation Date
2007
Semester
Fall
Advisor
Chase, Arlen
Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
College
College of Sciences
Department
Anthropology
Degree Program
Anthropology
Format
application/pdf
Identifier
CFE0001861
URL
http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0001861
Language
English
Release Date
December 2007
Length of Campus-only Access
None
Access Status
Masters Thesis (Open Access)
STARS Citation
Groff, Amanda Toyie, "The Emergence Of The Maya Tlaloc: A Late Classic Religious Icon" (2007). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3183.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/3183