Whether it’s the howling werewolves, the flying silhouettes of witches and bats, or the eerie glow, all eyes are on the (somehow spookier) moon every Halloween. But this Halloween, let’s not forget an equally eerie celestial body—Mars. In The Martian Codex: More Reflections from Mars George J. Haas and William R. Saunders carefully document the similarities between the famous Face on Mars as well as other formations on the planet and icons of ancient Mayan creation mythology. From the Face resembling pre-Columbian masks to a formation resembling a horned owl there is no denying the parallels between Mars’ topography and the icons of the ancient civilizations of Earth. Read about one of the many examples Haas and Saunders reveal in The Martian Codex:
When the right side of the Key formation is duplicated along the opposite side of the broad demarcation, a horned owl head is revealed (Figure 4.10a). Notice the large eyes, parted beak, and antenna-like feathers protruding from the top of the head. The head exhibits two large round eye orbits surrounded by a dense feathered pattern that terminates at an extended beak. The beak appears to be parted with the lower jaw extended, exposing a flailing tongue in a screeching manner. The top of the beak displays two small teardrop-shaped holes near the “cere,” which is a common feature seen in birds of prey.13 Notice the area around the large eye orbits is elevated and highly textured, while the area around the lower beak is smooth and occupies the same level as the mouth of its companion head. Just as we saw in the softer THEMIS version of the Flayed Face (Figure 4.4b), the facial features of the Horned Owl are also observable (Figure 4.10b).
In Mesoamerican iconography the horned owl signifies death and is associated with caves and subterranean passageways connected with the underworld realm know as Xibalba. Being a bird of keen sight, the owl is also associated with the darkness of the night and is the faithful companion of the death god (God L), who often wears an owl in his headdress.14 The head of a similar horned owl is seen within the crowned tongue on the feline side of the Face, as discussed in Chapter 2 (Figure 2.8).
In 1968 anthropologist Dr. David Grove investigated a series of Olmec wall paintings discovered deep within a cave located in Oxtotitlan, Mexico. 15 One of the wall paintings depicted a beautifully rendered image of a horned owl produced by an Olmec artist (Figure 4.11). The contoured features of this horned owl are simple and distinct. Notice the oval head, the large round eyes, and extended beak, complete with cere.
When the duplicated image of the Horned Owl found on the right side of the Key formation is compared to the facial design of the Olmec horned owl, the similarities become quite evident (Figure 4.12).
From The Martian Codex: More Reflections from Mars by George J. Haas and William R. Saunders, published by North Atlantic Books, copyright © 2009 by George J. Haas and William R. Saunders. Reprinted by permission of publisher.
If you are interested in meeting the authors of The Martian Codex and learning more about these strange connections, attend one of these book signings!
Virginia Appearances:
Books-A-Million
59 Catoctin Cir NE # B
Leesburg, Virginia
October 17 (2:00-4:00pm)
Borders Express
11713 Lee Jackson Hwy, Fairfax
Fair Oaks Mall, Virginia
October 24 (1:00-3:00pm)
Barnes & Noble
Spectrum Center 1851 Fountain Drive,
Reston, Virginia
November 11 (7:00pm).
Borders
2420 S Pleasant Valley Rd
Winchester, Virginia
November 21 (2:00-4:00pm)
New Jersey Appearance:
Barnes & Noble
4831 US Hwy 9
Lanes Mill Marketplace
Howell N.J.
November 7 (2-4)
