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The Nazca Cat DemonA Nazca Vessel Composition
Clifford C. RicheyNovember 2009
 
Based on a drawing by Thomas Freeman
1
This composition is found on a tubular shaped ceramic vessel. Its Form is one of a vertical place signwhile the vessel represents a hole in the ground or perhaps, a well.What is called the Cat Demon motif was based on the feline characteristics shown above in orange.This the largest imagery in the composition with its high erect ears, mouth full of teeth, and whiskers.The cat imagery was, of course, intended as an Association for the Jaguar,
the Sun
in its nighttimephase. It appearance seems somewhat angry or fierce and its Long Arms (the Arms and Hands of theSun or t
he warriors and stewards of the Sun)
reach out to touch the head of the
earth-female
imagery.The lower Hand of the Sun holds a sharp object while the other hand and the Hair (gray) make thegesture signs for
opening-up.
Underneath the lower Arm of the Sun are Nine Phallic Images indicating
males ( 
and the
nine levels of the underworld )
that
 
are
 placed into the earth-female
by the Arms of theSun. The main part of each Phallus is made up of three Rectangular
 place
signs (meaning
many)
whilethe Head of the Phallus is the sign for a
male spirit.
The is a short line below the Head of the Phallusindicating,
below.
The long lower Edge of the Arm is the
ground-surface sign
(a long Straight Lineusually indicates a
surface
). The message of the composition, so far, probably went something like this:
The Great Angry Jaguar, The Great Angry Sun His Arms, His Warriors His Hands, His Stewards Place Men Beneath the Earth-Female's, Nine LevelsThe Many Places of the Male-Spirits In The DarknessBelow
1Martin-Vegue, George B. Nazca Pottery at Florida State University, American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. LIII, No. 4.Oct._Dec.,1949 (drawing by Thomas Freeman, page 350, Fig. 3. The Cat Demon).
 Illustration 1: The Nazca Cat Demon
 
The ManyTurning Above
(three turning signs, gray, over the upside down “T” sign for on the surface)
 AndOn Her Sides
(Stance, as the Gray turning signs also touch on each side of the hair or head)
 His Arms and HandsCut Open Her Head
( or possibly her hair, gray)
of the Earth-Female Here, Here, Here
(three fingers pointing)
On Her Face, Her AppearanceThe ManyBreaks
(cuts)
The Placesof The UnseenCrossing Through
(through the surface of the earth)
 Illustration 2: Cat Demon --Orange Color
of 00

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