Guerrero Águila (Eagle Spirit Animal)

Wood carving: Isaías Jiménez Hernández
Textiles: Wilmer Vásquez
Plumage: Iván Cruz López
Silversmithing: Rubí Coral Salgado Téllez

Description

The figure of the eagle warrior symbolizes the ascent to the highest level of human aspiration: The overcoming of normal consciousnesses and the arrival at a higher level of spirituality.

Born to be warriors, trained by elite soldiers, the eagle warrior represented the highest level of the Aztec army. They were trained not only to have great abilities with weapons but also were educated in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and in the interpretation of codices, among other things. This work represents all those values and elite characteristics. On its chest, the figure carries a silver filagree piece that portrays a two headed serpent; according to Mesoamerican symbology, the bicephalous creature represents beginning and end, the connection between the earthly world and the underworld.