Maya+Deities

Mesoamerican religion governed all aspects of Maya life. One major dimension of belief was a focus on devotion to an array of gods or deities associated with specific features of the landscape. The Maya prayed daily to a variety of gods for good fortune and success in everything they did. [7] The Mesoamerican landscape in ancient times was populated by people who took a strong religious stance and build on it, quite literally. To these people the deities weren’t just some mere fantasy but capricious beings who took care of their mortal devotees if reciprocated with offerings, but who could wreck havoc on them if they did not. [4] Some interesting things to note about these deities were how they could change their appearance, change their role from day to night, and have more than one identity. The Maya believed that the gods lived in both the upperworld, which consisted of thirteen layers, or heavens, and was above the earth, and the underworld, which had nine layers and was located below the earth. [7] For more information on Maya gods and their relation to Maya kings, please refer to Gianna Borawski's Wiki.
 * __Maya Deities __**

There are a number of Maya deities, but here I will focus briefly on 5 main ones:


 * Itzamnaaj**: The Creator Deity. In ancient times, the first three letters of his name //itz// was something referred to as a metaphysical substance that permeated the Maya universe. Itzamnaaj is said to have been the first to name the places in Yucatan and to divide the lands. [6] He is also referred to as the sky deity.




 * Chaak**: The Rain and Storm Deity. He is associated with life and creation. For Maya farmers, Chaak was an all-important deity, and his benevolent intervention was frequently sought to nourish maize and other crops. [6] Chaak was also represented in the four cardinal directions and colors; East as red, North as white, West as black, and South as yellow.




 * K'inish Ajaw** or **Ajaw K'in**: The Sun Deity. The sun was closely associated with Maya rulers, perhaps because they promoted the belief that they were actually a manifestation of the sun god. [6] He is recognized by his crossed eyes.




 * Hun Hunapu**: The Maize Deity. The Maize god was the father of the Hero Twins in the Postclassic Popol Vuh. This deity represents life, prosperity, and abundance.


 * Kimi**: The Death Deity. Portrayed as a skeleton or as a bloated figure marked with black circles to suggest decomposition. The death god was patron of the number ten and day Kimi, which means "death" in Yukatek Mayan. [6]

Next Page: __**Rituals**__