The bat. . . mysterious and nocturnal, fast and
unpredictable. This important large effigy vessel
portrays a human being costumed as a bat. Not
just any human being, but most probably a
leader, warrior or shaman whose position in
society prevails above all others. The very large
size of this vessel suggests that it was a
container for a substance utilized in a ritual
where a mythological figure symbolized by a bat
was important. There is also a close resemblance
to an alligator snout on the bat's face, which may
represent further reptilian symbolism associated
with the bat. There are interesting geometric
designs inscribed on the front of his body that
may be an abstract representation of two eyes
with a snarling mouth. His ankles are adorned
with ornate jewelry and he has a bracelet on each
wrist. He gallantly holds the cape, and we can
imagine the movement he may have made with
his arms flapping the cape like wings. Bats have
greatly elongated fore limbs, which are accurately
represented from his neck to the center of his
chest. Although the mythological significance of
the bat is not fully understood, his majestic pose
and self-assurance exudes his importance in
ritual and in the lives of the ancient Costa Rican
people. This vessel has an aura of greatness and
reverence, which speaks to us without words.
- (PF.3112b)
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