Cougar Ancestor-Spirit of Maya
The Cougar Ancestor-Spirit from Maya tradition represents the sacred jaguar-cougar deity figures central to Maya cosmology. In Maya mythology, large felines were associated with the underworld Xibalba, the night sun, and the spiritual power of rulers. Although the jaguar was more prominent in Maya iconography, the cougar or puma also held significant spiritual meaning, particularly in the highland Maya regions where jaguars were less common. Maya kings and queens often incorporated feline imagery into their royal regalia to signify their connection to the underworld and their authority to rule