ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Olmec mythology

Okay kiddo, let's talk about Olmec mythology. The Olmecs were a people who lived a long long time ago in a place called Mesoamerica, which is kind of like Mexico and Central America combined.

The Olmecs had a lot of stories about their gods and creatures. They believed in many gods who controlled different aspects of life, like the sun, water, and even the underworld.

One of their most important gods was called the Jaguar God. He was often shown in their artwork as a human with a jaguar's head. The Olmecs believed he was the god of war and the source of power and strength.

They also believed in a creature called thewere-jaguar, which was half man and half jaguar. It was said that this creature could transform into a jaguar and back into a human at will.

The Olmecs also believed in a powerful serpent god called Quetzalcoatl. He was often shown with feathers and was associated with the wind and rain.

Overall, the Olmecs had a rich mythology full of fascinating creatures and gods. It helped them understand the world around them and gave them a sense of meaning and purpose.