As I mentioned earlier this is my beloved’s birthday, so I thought it fitting to present this heart- bearing Underworld God as an offering. Much of the Popol huh takes place in the Underworld-Xibalba, Place of Fright.
Of course I just love that, always happier designing demons than heroes.
The following fellow is inspired by a Tzitzimitl demon taken from the 16th century Codex Magliabechiano *. And although the Tzitzimitl are technically Star Demons, I couldn’t resist playing with the image. According to the Illustrated Dictionary of The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya , the Lords of Xibalba are a silly lot; for although they are “…ruthless and clever” they are frequently and easily duped. I wanted to capture that sense of arrogance and foolish pride.
Tzitzimitl
paper maquette
2012
The following is the source taken from the aforementioned Illustrated Dictionary (177)
What I particularly enjoyed about this source material was the garland of severed hands- so perversely gruesome and the phallic snake between his legs-so perversely funny.
That seems, from my study of Mesoamerican art and culture to be a typical trait. Even the little skulls beneath the figure are amusing, not so very funny for those sacrificed but for modern observers there is a charm and wit about them. My question continues to be how much of the humor was intentional? I haven’t found an answer no matter how many exhibitions and conferences I have attended, but I want to explore that question.
For my own Birthday Demon I gave him a garish showgirl headdress replete with mutilated hands and pulsating veins, bits of creepy this and that complete the ensemble. I of course could not resist the puerile temptations of depicting the serpentine priapic state. With my new handy-dandy micro-fasteners ( in near perfect colors) I was able to create a bit of naught peek-a-boo.
Happy Birthday David!
In the demon’s clawed hand he offers a freshly culled heart as a birthday greeting to my Sweetpea, so perfectly Aztec ( I’m sure he will be thrilled).
Well that is it for today, Happy Birthday Bubbe.
Until next time, take care,
Boondocks Babylon
* Miller,Mary,and Karl Taube.”Tzitzimitl.”An illustrated Dictionary of The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya.Paperback ed. 1997.Print.
Boondocks Babylon 
Your sweetie is really lucky, the present is amazing and delightful.
Thanks, the “sweetie” hasn’t even checked in on the post- at least from what I am aware of. Oh well…
It’s enough of a gift for your sweetie to know your happy working with the little one – I know I already have the heart that matters…. I’m very proud of you
Only one thing could improve on this. You need a pivoted flap on the heart so that you can push it back to show the chambers within. Easily done!
Oh that is excellent, I’m going to start working on the mother of the Hero Twins as a pregnant woman; pivoting pins revealing infants, cascading umbilical cord, etc. So much potential particularly suited to myth making.
Fabulous! I love his knees; they make me wince to think of the clattering, biting teeth as he runs!
Oh good, thank you, from what I have seen of your wonderful work I’m tickled you like the gruesome humor of it all. i quite frankly lifted it from the primary source, but just “corrected” the anatomy a bit.
You are now on my blog roll so I will pop in on your progress.
LG
Wow! I just stopped by from Clive’s blog, and am so glad I did. This is a really inspiring maquette! The details are amazing… I especially love the headdress with the hands. I am sure that your love must have had an incredible birthday if this was your present.
Thank you he was fun to make and yes David seemed pleased with his demon. I will make more demons as the Underworld is happily populated with all sort of icky lords of puss and blood, really funny potty-mouthed humor.
Take care,
LG
Wow. I don’t know what else to say…except Happy Birthday to the husband!
Thank you my friend, and David thanks you as well. We finally had an opportunity to listen to your cd book of mirrors he was so impressed he stole my copy, it will now be played in his waiting room…