The Mysterious and Beautiful: The Maya
The Mayans were a culture and people of violence and warfare in many people's eyes. However, what most people do not realize is that the Maya were perhaps the most intelligent forms of life on this planet. Innovative, observant and loyal, these Mesoamericans would never do anything that would not please and honor their gods.
One of the most interesting parts of this specific culture are their sacrificial acts. There were many acts that occurred daily in their society. Sacrifice or the offering of human blood was the most sacred and valuable votive to their gods and deities. However, not all acts were the killing off of innocent people… many of the acts only required small amounts of blood which, in turn, is still blood, but is much better than an entire life. Acts such as bloodletting (as shown in Shield Jaguar and Lady Xoc) was a very common ritual performed by elites and political leaders done by cutting a soft part of the body (typically the tongue or the genitals) and letting the blood fall onto a cloth. The cloth was then burned symbolizing the offering ascending to the heavens through smoke.
This relief sculpture is entitled Shield Jaguar and Lady Xoc originally mounted above a doorway in a temple. It is made of limestone as many of their sculptures are (along with jade, obsidian and other stones). Shield Jaguar is shown standing above LAdy Xoc holding a flaming torch while she performs bloodletting by sticking a barbed rope through her tongue. |
This painting is said to be one of the oldest know Maya paintings. The painting depicts the story of the creation of the Maya. The four deities shown represent the creation of water, land, sky and paradise. The maize god stands in the middle of the piece crowning himself king. The Mayans believed in many deities but had only one supreme god under the name Hunab Ku (who they believed as the creator of the universe). The Mayans also believed that the earth had been created and destroyed many times again and again. As for afterlife, there were thirteen heavens and nine underworlds, according to their religion. In addition, each god or deity was associated with a certain color. This painting is found in Guatemala is brightly colored and 30-feet long.
Archeologists are having a hard time deciphering the hieroglyphics, however, due to this painting being before the classical time period. During that time, classic Maya script was used and could easily be deciphered. |
The Maya used stone temples for worship. These were also government and educational centers. The most recognizable or well-known of the Mayan culture includes the temple located in El Mirador (not pictured) (Fun Fact: a ballcourt is featured in this urban center where a game similar to basketball was played; did I forget to mention that the “ball” was, if not heavy enough to kill players when hit in the stomach or mouth, but the head of the loser of the last match?)
This specific monument (Ah Cacau) is located in Petèn Basin, a region in northern Guatemala. It is named after the ruler who was buried there. The temple is made of limestone and is a traditional stepped-pyramid dating to approximately 732 AD. |