Nahual

Nahual Low Fired Burnished Pottery

José Ángel Ortiz Arana

Ceramics

Ht 8.5″ x W. 8″ x D. 4.5″

A “nahual” is a human who has the ability to shape shift into animal form. Nahuals use their powers for good or evil according to their personality, but are generally seen more as mischief-makers than truly evil, and can be helpful and kind. In folk art, they are depicted as half human, half animal. The nahual is a widespread and significant figure of Mexican mythology with its origin in the Mesoamerican era. There are people who claim to hear or even see nahuals today or to be affected by their actions.