Banded Eye God : The Provider

Banded Eye God

Introduction

The Banded-eye God or God VI is one of the even more obscure of the main deities of the Olmec civilization and its mythology. While most historians agree that the he/she is a god in its own right, there is a school of thought that believes that he/she is a manifestation of the Maize Deity. Although it’s only known about in a few regions from the Valley of Mexico, the Banded-eye God is featured in the Las Limas Monument 1 in the Olmec heartland.

Physical Traits

The Banded Eye God has a narrow band that runs along its face which gives it its name. It has almond shaped eyes and a round iris. Another feature that is common to the other gods is the cleft head and a downturned mouth. While some depictions also show him/her with a toothless grin, the deity also appears more human than any of the other Olmec gods.

Powers and Abilities

The Banded Eye God is considered to be a provider of sorts. He is also is a deity of springtime and renewal who symbolizes reborn vegetation, and is thought to be a precursor to Xipe Totec, from Aztec Mythology whose priests wore human skin, flayed from sacrificial victims, as a sign of rebirth.

Modern Day Influence

As with all other Olmec gods, very little is known of the Banded Eye God. Historians and researchers are still studying available resources to determine the origin and other details of the God. Further details of the god has also been comparatively harder to find as almost all the available depictions have been in the form of drawings on pottery. What makes this even more unique is that apart from the sculpture at Las Limas, every other drawing of the deity has been a side profile.