Why did jaguars figure prominently in olmec art and religious rituals? the olmec believed in animal gods. the olmec believed jaguars had mystical powers. the olmec believed they were descendants of jaguars.

The Olmecs were the first major civilization in Guatemala and Mexico following a progressive development in Soconusco and modern southwestern pacific lowlands of Guatemala. They lived in the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico, in the present-day states of Veracruz and Tabasco. Olmecs believed they were descendents of jaguars