Questions tagged [maya]
For questions about the mythology surrounding the Mayan civilization.
6
questions
8
votes
0
answers
108
views
What did the Mayans hope to accomplish from ritual sacrifice?
There are many descriptions of Mayan religious practices involving human sacrifice. For example, the Wikipedia has a long article on bloodletting and human sacrifice by the Mayans. However, these ...
- 349
8
votes
1
answer
371
views
The corn plants in the Popol Vuh: reflections of a wider belief?
In the Popol Vuh (you can read it online: there is a literal translation and a less literal translation), the two hero twins Hunahpu and Xbalanque plant corn plants. These corn plants have an unusual ...
user62
8
votes
1
answer
154
views
Why don't Hunahpú and Ixbalamqué tell the Lords of Xibalblo their names?
In the Popol Vuh, the twins Hunahpú and Ixbalamqué refuse to tell the Lords of Xibalba who they are:
“Where did you really come from? Would you tell us, boys?” they were asked by
the Xibalbans.
...
user62
20
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What is the significance of the sport ball in the Popol Vuh?
In the Mayan creation myth Popol Vuh, the sport "ball" seems to play a special role in the story. For example, playing ball seems to have indicated a lack of respect in this section of the story:
...
user62
19
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Is there support for the theory that the Mayan deity Chac represents an elephant?
On a holiday in Mexico, we were told about Chac, the Mayan rain deity. The tour guide said that Chac's snout was that of an elephant, indicating that the Maya originally came from India.
While ...
- 1,063
23
votes
1
answer
298
views
What did the Mayans believe would happen when the Long Count rolled over to a new baktun, like it did on Dec 21, 2012?
Remember all that end-of-the-world (pseudo-)hysteria that was going on back in 2012? That corresponded to the Mayan Long Count rolling over from 12.19.19.17.19 to 13.0.0.0.0; i.e. baktun 12 ended and ...
- 2,962