G260

When one looks at this vessel one needs to realize that it refers to an ancient cosmology. It is not a depiction of a man and woman eating a seafood dinner. Rather it represents the earth-female and the male-sky sharing the "blood" of the earth between them, A communion between the earth and sky. The female-earth is on the right side and can be identified by the Triangles on her checks (based on the form of the female genital area). The Lines on her body are the signs for flowing (a metaphor to the menses). This flow is red because that was the color that signified rebirth or ressurection, The bowls of water before these figures are springs or pool sites. The positioning of the Hands is important  as they represnt the Hands of the Sun --the Sun-priests. The figures are coupled together by the "U" shaped sign because that is the sign for a "turning." Turning from male to female and back again to male. In other words the deceased male is placed within the earth and is turned into a female spirit. Upon arising to the surface it turns into a male-spirit. The large circle for the base of the vessel is the sign for the Great One, The Great Sun-priest. The signs on the body of the male figure are not star but rather spirits rising to the sky where they join their ancestors. The sign for a star is different. The Spout of the vessel (which by the way is another metaphor for the earth --the earthern-container and her subterranean waters) is simply a hole leading to the underworld.. The shape of the space between the figures is the Triangular female-earth sign and the line positioned below it (below the earth). The signs on the cheeks of the male figure mean, the journey of the dead. The signs on the base of the vessel mean the unseen places of moving water.

Basically what one is viewing when looking at these ancient vessels is written sign language which is mainly focused on  the all important cosmology. Each vessel tells about some  aspect of the cosmology and should probably be considered a religious booklet.

Hundreds of the signs can be historically documented and through them much of the form and imagery can be derived from the context. It is unfortunate that this language is not obvious but it is fortunate that it exists because much can be learned from it.