The long awaited collaberation with artist Iason Sarris is on it’s way to us. The series features 4 new board graphics which represent different parts of Mexican culure. Iason explains the story behind each graphic below. (taken from http://sarris.blogspot.com/)
Ramirez
The Coat of Arms of Mexico has been an important symbol of Mexican politics and culture for centuries. It was originally seen designed on the Cronica Mexicayotl as more of a “ying yang” or “burning water” symbol, but Spanish invaders tweaked the design to fit European Heraldic christian elements, which is seen on the mexican flag. This design is a return to the original version with the feathered serpent god Quetzalc?hu?tl, creator of humanity. The eagle was a representation of the sun god Huitzilopochtli. The Cronica Mexicayotl is a chronicle of the Aztec empire that was written in the Nahuatl language (which ive written in the Nahuatl language on the scroll).
Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe, a 16th century Roman Catholic Mexican icon mixed with the Aztec goddess Mictecacihuatl and Santa Catarina (it’s current incantation). Catholicism merged with Aztec indigenous religion is know as Santeria, the feathers and candles are from sacrifice rituals that are a part of Santeria life.
Zapata
Emiliano Zapata was a leading figure in the Mexican Revolution who defended the poor and indigenous people. Zapata has in the last few decades been recast as a quasi-religious icon as well, mostly within the “Zapatista”(EZLN/Mayan) communities, where he is called “Votán Zapata”. Below is a EZLN Woman soldier wearing the Infamous red bandanna, the orange/yellow flowers and smoke are part of a “Dia De Los Muertos” to evoke dead souls.
Mistico
Mistico, a luchador, raised in the notorious Tepito district of Mexico City, has risen to a saint-like superstar status in Mexico, “El Corazon desenmascarado” translates as “The unmasked heart” A parody of the Sacred Heart, which is sometimes seen in Eastern Catholic Churches as a point of controversy and is seen as an example of bastardization from Western/latin Catholic church. Here its pushed further with a Mexican cultural hybrid.
