Final answer:
Were-jaguar figures were created by the Olmec culture, known for its influential art in Mesoamerica, with motifs often related to religious symbolism and fertility.
Step-by-step explanation:
The were-jaguar figures were a distinctive motif associated with the Olmec culture, active from about 1200 to 400 BCE in the Gulf Coast region of present-day Mexico. This Mesoamerican civilization is well known for its impressive art and sculptures, among which the ceremonial axe with were-jaguar characteristics is notable. The were-jaguar represents a hybrid figure combining features of a human and a jaguar, which was considered a powerful entity in Olmec mythology, often associated with royalty, fertility, and shamanistic transformations.
The Olmecs are often referred to as the "mother culture" of Mesoamerica due to their influence on later civilizations that arose in the region. Their artwork, monumental stone heads, and smaller artifacts like the votive axes found in archaeological sites reflect an advanced society with deep religious beliefs and artistic expressions. Some interpretations suggest that the were-jaguar figures may have had significant religious symbolism, possibly relating to the underworld and agricultural fertility, which is reflected in the motifs and designs of their iconic sculptures.