The Maya - Part 3 - Religion and Beliefs

Maya religion was similar to that of the Aztecs; the Sun, Moon, Venus ("xux ek"; wasp star; left photo) and Jupiter were of great importance to them and the Maya had considerable knowledge of their moments as well as eclipses. The behavior and motion of planets was used to fix the dates of important events.

Quetzalcoatl to them was Kukulkan. According to the Popol Vuh, they believed humankind was created by the gods for the purpose of praising their names and keeping their days. The tomb of Maya ruler Six Sky at Rio Azul, a large Mayan regional and administrative center in northeast Guatemala, is orientated to and marked with the 4 cardinal directions. This symbolically placed him at the center of the world, where according to Mayan creation lore, the First Father broke through the surface of the earth and ascended into the sky (Krupp, 1996).

Noted for iridescent feathers and lengthy tails, the Quetzal bird was very special to them. It's blue-green tail feathers were used decoratively on the helmets and robes of Maya royalty.

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