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Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Temple of the Jaguars

Temple of the Jaguars
 
Located next to the ball court, the temple owes its name to a procession of jaguars carved on the front of the upper structure. These motifs were probably associated with the military order of the "Tiger Gentlemen" imported from Central Mexico by the Itzá.

The doorway to the upper temple is marked by two large serpentine columns and opens to a series of chambers. These are now closed to the public to protect the colored paintings which cover the walls. These paintings show military scenes from Chichén Itzá's history.

The lower building, or annex, is a small enclosure which is entered through a doorway of carved columns. The columns are decorated with military chiefs who carry lances and dart throwers plus several carvings of the god Kukulcan.

The statue of the jaguar at the entrance is believed to be a ceremonial throne, a seat of honor for the lord of Chichén Itzá. Many believe that the governor seated on this throne presided over public and religious ceremonies and met with diplomatic couriers from other parts of the Yucatan. At it height Chichén Itzá was a powerful commercial and political force in the region.

The columns in the temple annex are
decorated with military chiefs carrying lances


The back wall of the annex has a colored fresco which shows a dignitary seated on his throne with rows of warriors carrying the common weapon of Central Mexcio, the dart thrower. Some researchers believe that this fresco illustrates the conquest of the city by the Itzáe.


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