Illustrates Tamires to
Edition Felipe van Deursen
Polytheist. And put polytheism in it! There are at least 165 gods, who evolved, fought wars, married each other and could even die. All these beliefs are in popol vuh, the bible of this people, who lived at their peak between 250 and 900, encompassing a large area in present-day Guatemala, Honduras, Belize and El Salvador, as well as southern Mexico. The book has stood the test of time, even though it has undergone modifications over the years.
SEE TOO:
+ What is Yoruba Mythology like?
+ What is Tupi-Guarani mythology like?
+ What is Chinese mythology like?
+ What is Polynesian mythology like?
origin of everything
There are three types of humans!
1. The world was a dark ocean, where the gods lived immersed. Kukulcan, the Feathered Serpent, Huracán and Tepeu (more about them below) shaped the Earth, with valleys and mountains. Then came the plants and animals – which had a problem, from the creators’ point of view: they didn’t speak or praise the gods. So they were condemned to eat each other.
2. The trio wanted a creature that adored him. He made one that did that, but it failed: the clay man melted or broke into pieces at the first steps. Then he made a stronger model, the wooden man. But they irritated him because they only praised themselves. The gods, enraged, sent a lava storm that killed virtually everyone.
3. Mixing corn flour, water and divine blood, the trio made four men, beautiful and capable of showing gratitude. They were as smart as the gods, which made them uneasy. They descended a cloud over the corn men’s eyes, halving their wisdom. To compensate, they were given four women. Humanity descends from this generation
Pantheon of Central America
The main Mayan deities
Tree of Life
Our world is squeezed between nine infraworlds (Xibalba) and 13 celestial extracts. The sacred ceiba (common tree in Central America) connects these layers. The higher, the more powerful the gods
Itzamná
He made the Universe, he is lord of the heavens, of night and day. He assumes animal forms, such as a jaguar. He gave men writing, the calendar, and healing powers.
Huracan
Lord of storms, destroyed the first human race. His name originated from the Spanish word for «hurricane»
Kukulkan
It is associated with the wind and nobles. He is a warrior causing bloody hecatombs
Tepeu
Architect who idealized the three types of humans
Vuqub Kaqix
Demon of Xibalba (the “hell” mayan), the bird had silver eyes, jade-encrusted teeth, and glittering feathers. Therefore, he believed himself to be the Sun and the Moon. The sacred twins (read more below) killed him due to his superb
Ixchel
Goddess of the rainbow, related to love, medicine, weaving and motherhood. She also has a dark side, represented by the snake on her head. causes floods
Ixtab
Goddess of suicides, she was popular, as taking life was seen as a noble practice in order to achieve an existence closer to the gods.
Oh Puch
God of death, frankly malevolent and related to human misfortunes and sacrifices. Supreme Lord of the Last Underworld
holy twins
The Greatest Mayan Heroic Saga
In the era of the wooden people, the Hunahpu and Xibalanque brothers played a type of football mayan, which angered the Xibalba entities. The gods called the twins to a series of challenges, which would culminate in a game against them.
The brothers overcame challenges, such as crossing a river of scorpions. In the game against the gods, they won. Even winning, they were burned alive. But, before the execution, they met shamans and convinced them to resurrect them.
It worked out. The gods were surprised and wanted to have the same power. They were willing to die to gain the talent, but the brothers deceived them again and did not resurrect them. After the epic triumph, they became the Sun and the Moon.
Consultancy Marcelo Lambert, historian specializing in pre-Columbian civilizations, and Lídice Meyer, anthropology professor at Mackenzie University (São Paulo)
SOURCES Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian; books Ancient Mayaby Arthur Demarest, and The Best Stories of Aztec Mythologies, Maya and Incaby AS Franchini