Art Resource - ART526240

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Mural on the wall of the National Palace of Mexico City representing the 365 niche pyramid of El Tajin situated near the coast, in the State of Vera Cruz; culture: Totonac. To the left, the pole for the ritual of "Los Voladores" (the verb volar means fly, so it could be translated by the "flying men"). This is an extremely old Solar ritual: 4 men attached by the waist and the feet let themselves fall from the top of the pole and fly around like birds during 13 round turns (13 x 4 = 52 which means that we are talking of a Solar ritual as 52 is the most sacred number). This was prohibited by the Spaniards as they felt it was an important ritual even if they did not understand the meaning of it. Note the deformed head toward the back of the high ranking personage carrying offerings, on the right: it is a ritual. Note the rich costumes of the Totonac indian nobles and the use of the quetzal (the Sacred Bird) feathers as head pieces. Bottom, center, the Mexican dog without hair (chihuahua).

Location National Palace/Mexico City/Mexico

Unique Identifier ART526240

Type Image

Purpose Public

Size 3430px × 3363px

Photo Credit Mireille Vautier / Art Resource, NY

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