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Plate with gods shooting blowguns
Not on view
This plate features two young gods shooting blowguns at a supernatural bird pictured at center. Their skin is ridden with black sores, symbolic of humility and sickness, contrasting with the bird’s ostentatious appearance. Colonial and modern mythical narratives, including the Popol Wuj, explain how young, humble, and sometimes ailing heroes vanquished older, stronger, and wealthier foes who opposed their rise as luminaries.
Plato con dioses que soplan cerbatanas
México
Siglo VI al IX
Cerámica
Este plato muestra a dos dioses jóvenes disparando sus cerbatanas contra un pájaro sobrenatural representado en el centro. Ambos tienen la piel cubierta de pústulas negras, señal de su humildad y enfermedad, que contrasta con la apariencia ostentosa del ave. Las narrativas coloniales y modernas –incluido el Popol Wuj– explican cómo los héroes jóvenes, humildes y a veces enfermos vencieron a enemigos mayores, más fuertes y más ricos que impedían su ascenso al cielo como luminarias.
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