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In ancient Mesoamerican iconography the quatrefoil shape is the most common means of representing portals giving access to the underworld. The Atiteco huipil collar is consistent with this concept, representing Lake Atitlan as the center through which the world emerges.


Incised peccary skull from Copan with view into the underworld in the form of a quatrefoil. (Drawing copyright Barbara W. Fash.)