Art 109 Mesoamerica (Olmec, Teotihuacan, Maya), Mexica Aztec, And Oceania Art Terms

Front 1

Olmec

Back 1

"Mother Culture".

Front 2

Glyph

Back 2

Character or symbol used in writing.

Front 3

"God K" or Itzam-Na

Back 3

Major God of the Maya pantheon, usually shown as a double-headed Snake.

Thought to be the connected to universe, Earth, creation and fertility.

Also thought to be related to Tlaloc.

Front 4

Stele or Stelae

Back 4

A Stone used for carvings of rulers.

Front 5

Temple Pyramid

Back 5

Pyramidal base built to support and elevate a temple.

Front 6

Pacal (603-683 AD)

Back 6

Ruler of Palenque.

Front 7

Psychoduct

Back 7

A small stone tube connecting the underground chamber and image on exterior of Temple of the Inscriptions.

Also seen as an umbilical cord.

Front 8

Mexica

Back 8

The name the Aztecs called themselves.

Front 9

Tlatoani

Back 9

The Sacred high ruler of the Mexica Aztecs.

Front 10

Illumination

Back 10

The decoration of manuscripts, especially the initial letters, with colors and precious materials (Gold, Mineral pigments made from semi-precious stones).

Front 11

Huizilopachtli

Back 11

Cult God of the Mexica Aztecs.

Front 12

Aztlan

Back 12

The Motherland,

where the Mexica Aztecs claimed to be from.

Front 13

Chicomoztoc

Back 13

"Place of origin",

Term given to the 7 Caves of Aztlan, were the Mexica Aztecs came from.

Front 14

Tenochtitlan and Tlateloco

Back 14

Twin cities the Mexica Aztecs, founded on lake Texcoco.

Front 15

Chichimecs

Back 15

Means "Barbarians",

used as original name Mexica Aztecs used to call themselves before the foundation of Tencohtitlan.

Front 16

Chinampa

Back 16

"Floating garden",

raised fields used by the aztecs in Lake Taxcoco.

Front 17

Templo Mayor

Back 17

Main ceremonial district containing the temple pyramids in Tenochtitlan.

Front 18

Motecuh-zoma II

Back 18

Reigning Tlatoani at the time the Spanish arrived.

Front 19

Cuauhxicalli

Back 19

"Eagle vase";

ceremonial vessel used in Aztec human sacrificial rituals.

Front 20

Jeu ( Yeu )

Back 20

Asmat men's house.

Front 21

Mangrove Tree

Back 21

Used to produce "mbis"

Front 22

Fumer-ipits

Back 22

Mythological culture hero, first carver, created man from wood and fought art of carving to the Asmat.

Front 23

Wow-ipits

Back 23

Wood carver.

Front 24

Wenet

Back 24

Figure type in knee-elbow-chin position associated with praying mantis.

Usually used for portraying ancestors.

Front 25

Bi pane

Back 25

Nose ornament.

Front 26

Mbis

Back 26

Ancestor pole.

Front 27

Jipae

Back 27

Funerary and fertility ceremony.