Maya
The sacred calendar Mayan creation stories and prophecy Mayan tales
We know so little about the ancient Maya. Only tiny amounts of their writings and wisdom have survived. Time, erosion and direct destruction have erased most of their words. Indeed, what we know in general is limited to stone carvings and four surviving Maya Codices (books made from bark).
In one of the saddest episodes in Mesoamerica, thousands of the Maya sacred codices were burned by the Spanish priests and Conquistadors. One Bishop Diego de Landa, wrote, ‘These people used certain letters with which they wrote in their books about ancient subjects. We found many books written with these letters and since they held nothing that was not falsehood and the work of the evil one, we burned them all'.
Today after countless effort and some success at decoding the meaning of what is left we marvel at their advanced knowledge in astronomy, mathematics, their ancient calendar Mayan writing system which is based on phonetics and their prophecy stories.
The Calender Mayan and their view of the universe
It is not known how the Mayas being a Stone Age indigenous society acquired such exactness in measuring time. Their accuracy is so precise that the calender Mayan is 1/10,000 of a day more accurate than even the Gregorian calendar we currently use.
It is also unknown how the Mayas discovered celestial alignments and incorporated them into their pre Columbian pyramids. Indeed, many of their most important buildings were devoted to the calculation and passage of time.
The Mayas believed in a cyclical nature of both time and celestial movements. Everything occurs more than once and continues to cycle in endless repetitive patterns. Maya priests were therefore able to provide prophetic outlook on the future or past based on the number relations of their ancient calendar and significant past dates such as birth or a death. If the interpretations of the priests spelled bad times to come, offerings and sacrifices would be performed with the intention of satisfying the gods.
Prophecy Mayan Accounts of 2012
Incredibly the ancient Maya were able to predict an astrological alignment that only occurs every 26,000 years. According to the surviving Dresden Codex, the Great Cycle of the Mayan Long Count Calendar (the fifth sun) ends on the winter solstice of December 21, 2012. This date happens to coincide exactly with our Sun's intersection point with what modern astronomers call the Great Rift. This Great Rift is a band of dark dust clouds located around the center of the Milky Way Galaxy from our vantage point on Earth. The ancient Maya were well aware of this Great Rift and even named it. They knew it as Xibalba-be or "Black Road". According to the Maya, this "Black Road" was the entrance to the underworld, a place of evil and misfortune. Even more interesting, present day astronomers believe this Great Rift is located around a massive Black Hole Star located at the center of our Milky Way galaxy. Learn more on the Maya 2012 Prophesies in plain understandable terms.
Our collection includes Maya pottery, Maya masks, Maya art and other items that offer a glimpse of this ancient civilization.
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Ancient Mayan Pottery, Mayan Masks and the Afterlife
The Maya greatly respected death; they feared it and grieved deeply for the dead. They also believed that certain deaths were more noble than others. People who died by suicide, sacrifice, complications of childbirth and in battle were thought to be transported directly into heaven. The guilty and evil suffered eternally in Xilbalba, the Maya underworld. Death was thought of as a journey, with the possibility of rebirth and certain individuals, important to their lineage, became deities that acted as patrons for the surviving family and many subsequent generations.
Tombs were filled with precious goods including fine polychrome pottery, effigy figurines, jade and marble pieces, masks, mushroom figures, obsidian, exotic shells and valuable stones. In some instances, members of the royal family or young attendants would be sacrificed to accompany a lord in death.
The dead were laid to rest with maize placed in their mouth. Maize, highly important in Maya culture, is a symbol of rebirth and also was food for the dead for the journey to the otherworld. Similarly, a jade or stone bead placed in the mouth served as currency for this journey.
The Maya believed in a cyclical nature of time. Maya priest provided prophetic outlook on the future or past based on the number relations of their calendars and significant past dates such as birth. If the interpretations of the priests spelled bad times to come, offerings and sacrifices would be performed with the intention of satisfying the gods. Offerings were provided to the gods in purified vessels.
The Maya believed that the cosmos has three major planes, the sky, the underworld, and the earth. Heaven was thought to have thirteen different layers or levels where various gods dwelt. The night sky was considered a window showing all supernatural doings. The Maya configured constellations of gods and places, saw the unfolding of narratives in their seasonal movements, and believed that the intersection of all possible worlds was in the night sky.
The Maya believed that the universe was flat and square, but infinite in area. They also worshipped the circle, which symbolized perfection or the balancing of forces. The Maya assigned colors to each of the cardinal directions. The east is red, the south is green or yellow, the west is black and north is white. The Maya also recognized a fifth direction of center, which existed everywhere. The center was conceptualized by the Maya as a giant ceiba tree, the trunk of which connected the heavens the earth and underworld. Sacred rituals and healing ceremonies also give great importance to the four elements found in nature: water, air, fire, and earth.
The Maya were fascinated by time. They believed that the date on which a person was born determined their fate throughout life. Philosophically, the Maya believed that knowing the past meant knowing the cyclical influences that create the present, and by knowing the influences of the present one can foretell the cyclical influences to the future.
*Mask can be displayed on a stand or mounted on a wall with proper mounting hardware. (due to the many individual choices to display this item, mounting hardware is not included)
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The ancient Maya pictured a luxurious afterlife. Those lucky enough to arrive would not need to perform punishing work such as the typical cutting of terraced fields from mountainsides or thick jungle, but could rest from the hunt or the long trading journeys they had made in their lifetimes. They would find luxury all around them and lie in the sweet shade provided by the cosmic tree. When they were thirsty they could gather cacao beans to make chocolate drink. These scenes are commonly depicted in Mayan pottery and carved in pyramids and monuments.
Unfortunately for most, Maya traditions held that only a few lucky souls would be admitted to this heavenly realm. Most souls were destined for the underworld where many grueling and terrifying tests awaited them. It was possible to ascend to heaven from there, but only by defeating the lords of the underworld. If successful in this task, the soul would emerge from the underworld in the appearance of a jaguar god and would be greeted by offerings. Thereafter, death could not hold him and could not expect to contain any of his descendants.
The Quiche Maya Popo Vuh (a type of Maya bible) tells the mythical accounts of the Hero twins. It narrates the Twins’ decent to the underworld where they faced many tests and a ballgame to the death. But the tests were stacked against the Twins. The lords of the underworld had learned the proper names of the twins, and to the Maya, knowing ones proper name gives power over the individual.
Eventually the Twins defeat death and rise victorious to the heavens. It was generally believed that their triumph paved the way for those that came after them.
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The Maya elevated the status of its most successful warriors. One of the most prestigious military orders was the order of the eagle. The eagle symbolized the sun, to which sacrifices were made. An eagle warrior displayed his status by wearing a helmet on his head shaped like an eagle's beak, wings on his arms to imitate eagle wings and eagle talons wrapped around his knees.
Detailed features and rugged distressed appearance. This hand painted mask will decorate any location with a touch of the ancient pre-Columbian world. The warrior displays an elaborate headdress adorned by Quetzal feathers and an eagle's beak in the center identifying him as an elite eagle warrior.
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The jaguar played an important role in the culture and religion of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. Quick, agile, and powerful enough to take down the largest prey in the jungle, the jaguar is the largest of the big cats in the Americas, and one of the most efficient and aggressive predators. For the ancient Olmec, Maya, and Aztec (Mexicas), the jaguar was a symbol of authority and one's prowess in hunting and battle, as well as an integral part of mythology and a powerful spirit companion for shamans.
Ancient Mayan Shape Shifter Who Guides Destiny
The ancient Maya are well known for their knowledge of advanced astronomy and mathematics. Their calendars are able to predict stellar events millennia into the past and millennia into the future. How a Stone Age group was able to acquire this type of knowledge and put it to use is still unknown. Through exhaustive and collective work, the few surviving codices (bark books) and surviving Mayan pottery are starting to reveal some of their secrets. One interesting aspect of the Maya is their view of the universe and time. Events happen in recurring cycles and everyone and everything has a preordained part to play.
Upon this world a mere mortal is placed to live out their destiny and to help sustain the gods that created the universe. Although sometimes it seems a little help was needed to make sure everyone stayed on track.
Upon birth, every child was assigned a Nahual by the gods. A nahual is a spirit being tasked with assisting its human to fill their destiny and in cases even act on his behalf. The nahual in essence is a shape-shifter, able to take the form of animals most notably jaguars, dogs or even humans while conducting its duties. If a child is destined to be an astronomer, a warrior or a tradesman the path was preordained and the child is required to follow that path to its conclusion.
At times human free-will plays an unorganized role in the plan. Perhaps the child shows no interest in astronomy or is weak in battle making their intended destiny difficult. Nevertheless the person is expected to fulfill their role and will be coaxed or even tricked by their nahual if they stray from their destiny.
This destiny fulfillment and the role a nahual can play is told in a story about a male child named "Jade Bird" whose destiny included being a warrior. Jade-Bird would be tasked with the obligation of winning a great battle. However since an early age the child showed no interest in warrior roles. Rather the child showed great interest and skill in the art of picture writing. Various efforts were made by his family to condition the boy in the art of warfare. Sadly, no apparent warrior skills were present, although not for the lack of trying. Simply stated, the boy did not possess the forceful nature or strength required to be a warrior. As time progressed and the boy grew in years he was able to make a living performing the task of picture writing but could never gain respect as a warrior. His behaviour was simply too timid.
One day a nobleman requested a work task be performed to commemorate his brave victory over a very fierce enemy warrior he had slain. It was a noteworthy victory for the nobleman warrior. He claimed he had defeated the enemy warrior "Jaguar-Paw" in combat in plain view of everyone in the battlefield. No clemency had been shown by the nobleman as he decapitated his victim. After the decapitation the nobleman gleefully stated that he then skinned the body and would proudly display the skin as his trophy. Everyone would forget the greatness of "Jaguar-Paw" and only remember his humiliating defeat at his hands. The nobleman wanted every detail pictured and written down for all to see.
After much work Jade-Bird realised his task. All important details had been recorded in images and writing. The cruelty shown by the nobleman was apparent. Not only had he defeated Jaguar-Paw in battle, but now he would display his trophy to erase any greatness Jaguar-Paw might have accomplished. Jaguar-Paw would now only be remembered as someone's trophy.
The nobleman was very pleased with the work and quickly took his victory accunt. He was off to battle once more; a large group of enemyfierce enemy warriors were challenging the city.
What happens next is recounted as the work of a shape-shifting nahual performing his duties. An pressing request by "Jaguar-Paw", the leader of the attacking group was received, directed to the "Revered Warrior Jade-Bird" stating:
"Revered brother, I have studied your picture writing dispatch with much detail. My heart sank upon seeing your bold hand tell of what awaits me. I have no fear to die in battle. But to never be remembered for much except your trophy really demoralizes me. I will take my leave along with my brave warriors never to come back. If this place is defended by such warriors, may the gods deal with it."
After the withdrawal of the enemy warriors, many congratulatory verses were spoken on behalf of Jade-Bird. His bold move had been the tipping point in the siege.
Afterwards, Jade-Bird made a few inquiries as to the nobleman that had commissioned the work. No such person seemed to exist. All that could be gathered was firsthand accounts of Jade-Bird in full warrior uniform personally dispatching runners with a challenge to Jaguar-Paw including a message in picture writing.
Learn More -
The jaguar played an important role in the culture and religion of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. Quick, agile, and powerful enough to take down the largest prey in the jungle, the jaguar is the largest of the big cats in the Americas, and one of the most efficient and aggressive predators. For the ancient Olmec, Maya, and Aztec (Mexicas), the jaguar was a symbol of authority and one's prowess in hunting and battle, as well as an integral part of mythology and a powerful spirit companion for shamans.
From the Maya Chronicles
Upon this world a mere mortal is placed to live out their destiny and to help sustain the gods that created the universe. Although sometimes it seems a little help was needed to make sure everyone stayed on track.
Every child was assigned a Nahual by the gods upon birth. A nahual is a spirit being tasked with assisting its individual to live up to their destiny and in cases even act on his behalf. The nahual in essence is a shape-shifter, able to take the form of animals most notably jaguars, dogs or even humans while conducting its duties. If a child is destined to be an astronomer, a warrior or a tradesman the path was preordained and the child is required to follow that path to its conclusion.
At times human free-will plays an unorganized role in the plan. Perhaps the child shows no interest in astronomy or is weak in battle making their intended destiny difficult. Nevertheless the mortal is expected to fulfill their role and will be coaxed or even tricked by their nahual if they stray from their destiny.
This destiny fulfillment and the role a nahual can play is told in a story about a male child named "Jade Bird" whose destiny included being a warrior. Jade-Bird would be tasked with the obligation of winning a great battle. However since an early age the child showed no interest in warrior roles. Rather the child showed great interest and skill in the art of picture writing. Sadly, no apparent warrior skills were present. Simply stated, the boy did not possess the forceful nature or strength required to be a warrior. As time progressed and the boy grew in years he was able to make a living performing the task of picture writing but could never gain respect as a warrior. His behavior was simply too timid.
One day a nobleman requested a worka task be} performed to commemorate his single handed victory over a very fierce enemy warrior he had slain. It was a noteworthy victory for the nobleman warrior. He claimed he had defeated the enemy warrior "Jaguar-Paw" in combat in plain view of everyone in the battlefield. No clemency had been shown by the nobleman as he decapitated his victim. After the decapitation the nobleman gleefully stated that he then skinned the body and would proudly expose the skin as his great trophy. Everyone would forget the greatness of "Jaguar-Paw" and only remember his humiliating defeat at his hands. The nobleman wanted every detail portrayed and written down for all to see.
After much work Jade-Bird completed his task. All important details had been captured in images and writing. The cruelty shown by the nobleman was apparent. Not only had he defeated Jaguar-Paw in battle, but now he would display his trophy to erase any greatness Jaguar-Paw might have accomplished. Jaguar-Paw would now only be remembered as someone's trophy.
The nobleman was very pleased with the work and quickly took his victory accunt. He was off to battle once more; a large group of enemyfierce enemy warriors were challenging the city.
What happens next is recounted as the work of a shape-shifting nahual performing his duties. An urgent request by "Jaguar-Paw", the leader of the attacking group was received, directed to the "Revered Warrior Jade-Bird" stating:
"Revered brother, I have studied your picture writing dispatch with much detail. My heart sank upon beholding your bold hand tell of what awaits me. I have no fear to die in battle. But to never be remembered for much except your trophy really demoralizes me. I will take my leave along with my brave warriors never to come back. If this place is defended by such warriors, may the gods deal with it."
After the withdrawal of the enemy warriors, many congratulatory verses were spoken on behalf of Jade-Bird. His bold move had been the tipping point in the siege.
Afterwards, Jade-Bird made a few inquiries as to the nobleman that had commissioned the work. No such person seemed to exist. All that could be gathered was firsthand accounts of Jade-Bird in full warrior uniform personally dispatching runners with a challenge to Jaguar-Paw including a message in picture writing.
Learn More -
The jaguar played an important role in the culture and religion of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. Quick, agile, and powerful enough to take down the largest prey in the jungle, the jaguar is the largest of the big cats in the Americas, and one of the most efficient and aggressive predators. For the ancient Olmec, Maya, and Aztec (Mexicas), the jaguar was a symbol of authority and one's prowess in hunting and battle, as well as an integral part of mythology and a powerful spirit companion for shamans.
What I learned from the Maya
Upon birth, every child was assigned a Nahual by the gods. A nahual is a spirit being tasked with assisting its someone to meet their destiny and in cases even act on his behalf. The nahual in essence is a shape-shifter, able to take the form of animals most notably jaguars, dogs or even humans while conducting its duties. If a child is destined to be an astronomer, a warrior or a tradesman the path was preordained and the child is required to follow that path to its conclusion.
Upon this world a mere individual is placed to live out their destiny and to help sustain the gods that created the universe. Although sometimes it seems a little help was needed to make sure everyone stayed on track.
Occasionally human free-will plays an unorganized role in the plan. Perhaps the child shows no interest in astronomy or is weak in armed combat making their intended destiny difficult. Nevertheless the mortal is expected to fulfill their role and will be coaxed or even tricked by their nahual if they stray from their destiny.
This destiny fulfillment and the role a nahual can play is told in a story about a male child named "Jade Bird" whose destiny included being a warrior. Jade-Bird would be tasked with the responsibility of winning a great battle. However since an early age the child showed no interest in warrior roles. Instead the child showed great interest and skill in the art of picture writing. Sadly, no apparent warrior skills were present. Simply stated, the boy did not possess the forceful nature or strength required to be a warrior. As time progressed and the boy grew in years he was able to make a living performing the task of picture writing but could never gain respect as a warrior. His behaviour was simply too timid.
One day a nobleman warior requested a worka task be} performed to commemorate his single handed victory over a very fierce enemy warrior he had slain. It was a noteworthy victory for the nobleman warrior. He claimed he had defeated the enemy warrior "Jaguar-Paw" in combat in plain view of everyone in the battlefield. No mercy had been shown by the nobleman as he decapitated his victim. After the decapitation the nobleman gleefully stated that he then skinned the body and would proudly show the skin as his great trophy. Everyone would forget the greatness of "Jaguar-Paw" and only remember his humiliating defeat at his hands. The nobleman wanted every detail pictured and written down for all to view.
After much work Jade-Bird realised his task. The important details had been captured in images and writing. The cruelty shown by the nobleman was apparent. Not only had he defeated Jaguar-Paw in battle, but now he would display his trophy to erase any greatness Jaguar-Paw might have accomplished. Jaguar-Paw would now only be remembered as someone's trophy.
The nobleman was very pleased with the work and quickly took his victory record. He was off to battle once more; a large group of enemyfierce enemy warriors were duee attack the city.
What occurs next is recounted as the work of a shape-shifting nahual performing his duties. An pressing request by "Jaguar-Paw", the leader of the attacking group was received, directed to the "Revered Warrior Jade-Bird" stating:
"Revered brother, I have studied your picture writing dispatch with much detail. My heart sank upon seeing your bold hand tell of what awaits me. I have no fear to die in battle. But to never be remembered for much except your trophy really demoralizes me. I will take my leave along with my brave warriors never to return. If this place is defended by warriors such as you, may the gods deal with it."
After the withdrawal of the enemy warriors, many congratulatory verses were spoken on behalf of Jade-Bird. His bold move had been the tipping point in the siege.
Afterwards, Jade-Bird made a few inquiries as to the nobleman that had commissioned the work. No such person seemed to exist. All that could be gathered was firsthand accounts of Jade-Bird in full warrior uniform personally dispatching runners with a challenge to Jaguar-Paw including a message in picture writing.
Learn More -
The jaguar played an important role in the culture and religion of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. Quick, agile, and powerful enough to take down the largest prey in the jungle, the jaguar is the largest of the big cats in the Americas, and one of the most efficient and aggressive predators. For the ancient Olmec, Maya, and Aztec (Mexicas), the jaguar was a symbol of authority and one's prowess in hunting and battle, as well as an integral part of mythology and a powerful spirit companion for shamans.
Ancient Shape-Shifter Depicted in Mayan Pottery Guides Destiny
The ancient Maya are well known for their knowledge of advanced astronomy and mathematics. Their calendars are able to predict stellar events millennia into the past and millennia into the future. How a Stone Age group was able to acquire this type of knowledge and put it to use is nevertheless unknown. Through exhaustive and collective work, the few surviving codices (bark books) and surviving Mayan pottery are starting to reveal some of their secrets. One interesting aspect of the Maya is their view of the universe and time. They think both time and the universe have a cyclical nature. Events happen in recurring cycles and everyone and everything has a preordained part to play.
Upon birth, every child was assigned a Nahual by the gods. A nahual is a spirit being tasked with assisting its human to live up to their destiny and in cases even act on his behalf. The nahual in essence is a shape-shifter, able to take the form of animals most notably jaguars, dogs or even humans while conducting its duties. If a child is destined to be an astronomer, a warrior or a tradesman the path was preordained and the child is required to follow that path to its conclusion.
Upon this world a mere mortal is placed to live out their fate and to help sustain the gods that created the universe. Although sometimes it seems a little help was needed to make sure everyone stayed on track.
At times human free-will plays an unorganized role in the plan. Perhaps the child shows no interest in astronomy or is weak in armed combat making their intended destiny difficult. Nevertheless the person is expected to fulfill their role and will be coaxed or even tricked by their nahual if they digress from their destiny.
This destiny fulfillment and the role a nahual can play is told in a story about a male child named "Jade Bird" whose destiny included being a warrior. Jade-Bird would be tasked with the obligation of winning a great battle. However since an early age the child showed no interest in warrior roles. Alternatively the child showed great interest and skill in the art of picture writing. Various efforts were made by his family to train the boy in the art of warfare. Sadly, no evident warrior skills were present, although not for the lack of trying. Simply stated, the boy did not possess the forceful nature or strength required to be a warrior. As time progressed and the boy grew in years he was able to make a living performing the task of picture writing but could never gain respect as a warrior. His behaviour was simply too timid.
One day a nobleman requested a worka task be} performed to commemorate his brave victory over a very fierce enemy warrior he had slain. It was a noteworthy victory for the nobleman. He claimed he had defeated the enemy warrior "Jaguar-Paw" in combat in plain view of everyone in the battlefield. No clemency had been shown by the nobleman as he decapitated his victim. After the decapitation the nobleman gleefully stated that he then skinned the body and would proudly exhibit the skin as his great trophy. Everyone would forget the greatness of "Jaguar-Paw" and only remember his humiliating defeat at his hands. The nobleman wanted every detail depicted and written down for all to view.
After much work Jade-Bird realized his task. The important details had been captured in images and writing. The ruthlessness shown by the nobleman was apparent. Not only had he defeated Jaguar-Paw in battle, but now he would display his trophy to erase any greatness Jaguar-Paw might have accomplished. He would now only be remembered as someone's trophy.
The nobleman was very pleased with the work and quickly took his victory accunt. He was off to battle once more; a large group of enemyfierce enemy warriors were challenging the city.
What occurs next is recounted as the work of a shape-shifting nahual performing his duties. An urgent request by "Jaguar-Paw", the leader of the attacking group was received, directed to the "Revered Warrior Jade-Bird" stating:
"Revered brother, I have studied your picture writing dispatch with much detail. My heart sank upon beholding your bold hand tell of what awaits me. I have no fear to die in battle. But to never be remembered for much except your trophy really demoralizes me. I will take my leave along with my brave warriors never to return. If this place is defended by such warriors, I leave it to the gods to deal wth it"
After the withdrawal of the enemy warriors, many congratulatory verses were spoken on behalf of Jade-Bird. His bold move had been the tipping point in the siege.
Afterwards, Jade-Bird made a few inquiries as to the nobleman that had commissioned the work. No such person seemed to exist. All that could be gathered was firsthand accounts of Jade-Bird in full warrior uniform personally dispatching runners with a challenge to Jaguar-Paw including a message in picture writing.
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Ancient Mayan Pottery, Mayan Masks Depict Holy Trinity
Creation stories are one of the most usually depicted scenes in Mayan pottery. As in Christianity, the Maya believed in a Holy Trinity as the sovereign creation being. Many of these creation scenes were enacted in religious ceremonies where shamans wore Mayan masks of the creation gods to re-live and honor those gods.
In Maya mythology, Tepeu and Kukulkan (also known as the Aztec's Quetzalcoatl, the Plumed Serpent) are referred to as the Creators, the Makers, and the Forefathers. They were two of the first beings to exist. Collectively with a third god, Huracan, a storm god are personified as a trinity of gods called Heart-of-Sky.
Tepeu and Kukulkan hold a conference and decide that, in order to preserve their legacy, they must create a race of beings who can worship them. Huracan does the real creating while Tepeu and Kukulkan guide the process.
The gods begin by saying "Earth", which appears on demand from the sea. This is followed by mountains and trees, and the trinity, Heart-of-Sky proclaims "our work is going well".
Next for creation are the creatures of the forest: birds, deer, jaguars and snakes. They are told to multiply and scatter, and then to speak and "pray to us". But the animals just squawk and howl and were thus banished forever to the forest.
So Heart-of-Sky tries to make more respectful creatures from mud. Thus, man is created first of mud. But the mud creatures just crumbled and dissolved away.
Other gods are summoned for advice and man is next created of wood. But the wooden men have no soul, and they soon forgot their makers. So Heart-of-Sky turned all of their possessions against them and brought a black resinous rain down on their heads. The wooden people escape to the forests and are turned into monkeys.
Heart-of-Sky then makes yet another attempt at creating a suitably respectful race, and at last succeeds by fashioning humans out of maize-corn dough.
As such, the Maya believed that maize was not just the cornerstone of their diet, but they were also made of it. Finally modern man is formed and Heart-of-Sky's work is complete.
*Mask can be displayed on a stand or mounted on a wall with proper mounting hardware. (due to the many individual choices to display this item, mounting hardware is not included)
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The name "Popol Vuh" signifies "Record of the Community," and its literal translation is "Book of the Mat," from the Maya-Kiché words "pop" or "popol," a mat or rug of woven rushes or bark on which the entire family sat, and "vuh" or "uuh," paper or book, from "uoch" to write. The Popol Vuh is the New World's richest account of the body of tradition and mythi-history known of the Kiché (one of the Maya ethnic groups). Translated to Spanish by Francisco Ximenes a monk of the Order of Predicadores sometime in the seventeenth century. No translation of it has as yet appeared in English and no adequate translation in any European language.
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The Maya believed in a cyclical nature of time. Maya priest provided prophetic outlook on the future or past based on the number relations of their calendars and significant past dates such as birth. If the interpretations of the priests spelled bad times to come, offerings and sacrifices would be performed with the intention of satisfying the gods.
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Fishing was vital for the Maya. They were expert fishermen that navigated the waters through their intimate knowledge of nature and reading of omens.
A good catch was considered a gift from the gods who expected rituals honoring them in return.
The Maya and the Mysterious Collapse of their Empire
You may be surprised to learn that with all the recent discoveries being made concerning the Mayans, that there in fact was no Maya empire. Throughout the Classic Period (defined as the timeframe when the Mayans achieved their height 250BCE-900CE), the cities of the Maya lands were in fact independent city-states.
Scholars compare the Maya cities to the city-states of ancient Greece: all used a common language, religion and group of common assumptions, but all were strongly independent and often at a constant state of war with one another, but no one central state enforced rule over the others.
Today Mexican style decor borrows heavily from the beautiful ancient Maya art of pre Columbia America. Part of its appeal is due to the dramatic achievements of the Maya empire and its very cryptical utter collapse and disappearance.
To judge from surviving glyphs in pyramids, temples and Maya pottery, the dynastic ruler of a Maya state gained great prestige if he could capture a rival king, hold him imprisoned, inflict punishing torture upon him and finally decapitate him. This was done more for ceremonial purposes than for capturing and holding land. Indeed, the boundaries between the Mayans city-states remained fixed over the many years that were marked by the greatest bloodshed. It is assumed that instead more powerful city-states held the weaker ones in a tribute paying relationship instead of confiscating their lands.
In the 9th century CE, the cities of in the Mayans Southern Lowlands began to be abandoned. The jungle vegetation that the Maya farmers had tamed grew back, and in time even engulfed the great temples and plazas that had once been decorated with vibrant ancient Mayan art where priests and kings had celebrated royal power.
But contrary to popular belief not, all the Mayans cities’ were abandoned, to the north towards the tip of the Yucatan peninsula, Maya cities such as Mayapan, Uxmal, Labna and Chichen Itza continued to thrive, making the decline of the Mayans lowland cities all the more puzzling. Within four to five, the great civilization of the Lowland Maya faded. This event has been called “the great Maya collapse” by archaeologists and historians.
Why would a determined and resourceful people abandon their great constructions of stone which had been laboriously erected in honor of their rulers, ancestors and gods? After 900 CE no more Maya stelae that marked the dynastic achievements and history of the proud Maya of the Lowlands were carved or erected. These marvelous monuments of pre Columbian art were seen no more.
One of the present theories states that the Lowlands Maya basically decimated their own populations. Centuries of constant fighting between the city-states greatly depleted the population. In time, the combination of falling population from warfare and inadequate food from constant battles contributed to the condition where the cities could not be sustained and so were abandoned. In effect the jungle soil would no longer produce the food necessary to support a continuous state of conflict.
Disease may have also contributed to the acceleration of the decline. Maya pottery from surviving cities depicts diseases in greater numbers being present. As the population began to fall, fear of hunger and future shortages fuelled ever-more fierce exchanges for the dwindling resources available. The end was apparent; people chose to flee for safety and away from cities that offered no safety.
A true calamity took place, the mighty Maya; timekeepers of the universe, together with their centers of learning were no more. Their incredible achievements in astronomy, mathematics, Maya pottery and other pre columbian art as well as monumental constructions in stone were erased. All was claimed by the jungle and forgotten. Even their writing was forgotten. Until very recent, the glyphs in stone and four surviving Maya manuscripts were considered undecipherable.
It is only now at present with some breakthroughs that we are starting to decipher what words were written and in truth comprehend the splendor of their achievements, and their great fall. One discovery after another shows us their mastey of astronomy, mathematics, construction, timekeeping an even powers of prediction.
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