Posted on 13 January 2015
The first major civilization in the New World,the Olmec were the forerunners of the later Mesoamercian empires of the Aztecs and Maya . The Olmec rules the lands that today make up southern Mexico and Central America.
The Olmec civilization was built on two major forms of currency. The first was rubber – cultivation of the rubber tree plants that covered Olmec lands became the key to their economic dominance. The second major currency was in blood - Olmec warrior traditions, rituals and even their sport all featured the spilling of immense amounts of blood. Blood bonds kept their culture tightly knit.
But the Olmec did not shed blood indiscriminately. They were keenly aware that any resources that was taken - rubber, blood, or the jade that made up a large portion of their stonework – required an equal amount of resources re-invested into the land and the people . In that way, the Olmec were masters of balance.
Balance was certainly a major component of their religion – the Olmec revered a pantheon of gods that inspired later and more famous deities worshipped by their Mesoamerican successors. Their major deity - the were-jaguar –inspired Olmec warriors to wear jaguar skin into battle . More than one enemy, when faced with defeat, believed that the Olmec were able to actually transform themselves into jaguars. But this fierce power could not save the Olmec from falling, when a corrupt elite figure out how to sacrifice the blood of the people without risking their own.
Olmec students, you can find all of the teachings about your Line here:
Pay special attention to this lesson:
Now, its up to you to define the words or phrases that will become the official motto of your new line of Olmecs. Put your ideas in the comments below, and I will choose the one I think is the best. If I choose the one you suggest, you will be rewarded.