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This is either the corn goddess known as Xilonen by the Mexica or a human female impersonating her. In Mesoamerican belief, impersonating meant more than adotpting the garb of deities: it implied an actual transformation into the deity, not unlike the Christian belief in transubstantiation regarding the host and consecration wine. Notice the heavy stone necklaces, the large ear ornaments and the corn cob-adorned headdress.


Sculpture of a seated female
Huastec
Late Post-Classic (1325-1521 A.D.)
Tuxpan, State of Veracruz
Sandstone
83 x 49.5 cm.
National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico.

Photo © Jorge Pérez de Lara