Icons of Power : Feline Symbolism in the Americas

ISBN-13: 9780415153270 / Angielski / Twarda / 1998 / 312 str.

Nicholas J. Saunders

Opis

This collection investigates why the symbol of the cat has been such a potent symbol in the Americas, and how similar images have come to mean very different things in different cultures. The jaguar, the mountain lion and other feline icons have variously stood for military might, rank, status and wealth. The book is illustrated with over 25 black and white photographs and 30 line drawings and should be of use to those studying the sign systems adopted by humanity and the systems of meaning constructed around animal symbols.

Recenzje

'This symposium, illustrated with numerous impressive pots and icons, furnishes a fascinating prehistory of man's relationship with the haughty beauties.' - The Guardian, February 1998.

"...a fascinating pre-history of man's relationship with the haughty beauties." - The Guardian

Spis treści

1 Introduction: Icons of power 2 Architecture of symbolism: The feline image 3 The lord, the ruler: Jaguar symbolism in the Americas 4 The Felidae in Pre-Columbian Panama: A thematic approach to their imagery and symbolism 5 Feline symbolism and material culture in prehistoric Colombia 6 The jaguar of the backward glance 7 Paragon or peril? The jaguar in Amazonian Indian society 8 Felines, patronyms and history of the Araucanians in the southern Andes 9 Mountain Lions and Pueblo shrines in the American Southwest

O autorze

Nicholas J. Saunders has held research fellowship and teaching positions in Mexico, the USA, Trinidad, Jamaica and the United Kingdom. He is currently a Visiting Fellow in the archaeology department at Southampton University.