Why is the hoodie called JAGUAR PAW?
Really, the answer is…
because of a mix up.
Studying Meso-American history brought me to the Metropolitan Museum of Art where this little guy stood out to me among the rest of the sculptures and figurines. You can read more about this Olmec sculpture here.
In my mind, I called this baby Jaguar Paw, probably because we were learning about the real Jaguar Paw at the same time: Chak Tok Ichʼaak I was a Mayan ajaw or ‘lord’ of the city of Tikal. He was also known as Great Paw or Great Jaguar Paw. However, this baby figurine is not the same person.
I’m more interested in what this baby figure represented and how it was used during the time it was made. Intuitively and personally, this seated baby symbolizes a good omen. His head is covered and his pointer finger is in his mouth. Who has more insight into this? I would love to hear about it..
The sleeve design of the JAGUAR PAW HOODIE comes from an old stone inscription in a language identified as Ogam. In Barry Fell’s America B.C., he shares a photo of a phallic stone found at Ballintaggart, Count Kerry, Ireland.
“The first part of the inscription is a rendering of a Celtic name […] Maqqiiari or Magari. The last part at present cannot be interpreted.” - James P. Whittall II
The root MAGI- denotes possible meaning associated with magic. While I’m no expert on these specific topics, I am an expert in letting my intuition guide me. These two elements of the hoodie: the Olmec baby and the Ogam inscription both give a mystical vibe. By working directly with these elements, my purpose is to gain more clarity about their meaning and proper usage.
For a deeper dive into how I’m exploring the Ogam connection with my own roots, check out 11:59 ZINE, Volume 3.