Masks of the spirit : image and metaphor in Mesoamerica / Peter T Markman ; Roberta H Markman

Part I: The metaphor of the mask in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica -- 1. The mask as the God -- The mask as metaphor: The Olmec were-jaguar -- The mask of metaphor: Cocijo -- The mask as metaphor: The Teotihuacán Tlaloc -- The mask as metaphor: Tlaloc from the fall of Teotihuacán to Tenochtitlán -- The mask as metaphor: Chac -- The structure of the mask -- 2. The mask in ritual: Metaphor in motion -- Emerging from the ritual mask -- Merging with the ritual mask -- The architectural mask: Defining sacred space -- The funerary mask: Metaphor of transformation -- 3. Coda I: The mask as metaphor -- Part II: Metamorphic reflections of the cosmic order -- 4. The shamanistic inner vision -- 5. The temporal order -- The solar cycles -- Generation, death, and regeneration -- 6. The spatial order -- 7. The mathematical order -- 8. The life-force: Source of all order -- Transformation: Manifesting the life-force -- Coda II: The mask as metaphor -- Part III: The metaphor of the mask after the conquest -- 11. Syncretism: The structural effect of the conquest -- 12. The pre-Columbian survivals: The masks of the Tigre -- 13. The syncretic compromise: The Yaqui and Mayo Pascola -- 14. Today's masks.

This illustrated study guides the reader through the long history of Mesoamerican mask-making. It explores many themes associated with one of the least understood yet fascinating religious and mythological traditions.

English