For questions about the mythology surrounding the Mayan civilization.
Questions tagged [maya]
6 questions
23
votes
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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 baktun 13 began.
Did the Mayans believe that…
senshin
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1 answer
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:
As for One Hunahpu and Seven Hunahpu, they would…
user62
19
votes
4 answers
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 humans have migrated over long distances, this story…
Vixen Populi
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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.
“We must have come from somewhere, but we don’t…
user62
8
votes
1 answer
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 property: they will die if Hunahpu and Xbalanque…
user62
8
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0 answers
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 treatments do not clearly explain the purported…
Tyler Durden
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