ANCIENT MAYA GODS MAYA UNIVERSE The Maya people

ANCIENT MAYA GODS

MAYA UNIVERSE The Maya people believed that our universe is made up of three parts: • The earth – a floating turtle • The celestial realm – the sky above • The underworld – Xibalba At the centre of the world on the back of the turtle is the Cosmic tree

XIBALBA UNDERWORLD The watery underworld was the dwelling place of the Gods, as well as the resting place of passed ancestors. The Maya believed that caves and lakes were considered passageways to the Underworld and so many rituals were performed in these places. Everything in the Underworld is opposite to the earth, trees grow upside down with the roots growing up out of the ground

HOW TO TELL A GOD FROM A HUMAN Many powerful people in Maya history were depicted in ways that made them seem supernatural. However, there a few key features that can help to determine this: • Large or goggle eyes • Large front teeth or a snout • ‘God markings’ • Both human and animal features CAN YOU TELL IF THIS PICTURE IS OF A WOMAN OR A GODDESS?

1. Itzamna – The Supreme Creator 2. K’Inich Ajaw – The Sun God 12 MAYA GODS 3. Chaak – The Rain God 4. Yum Kaax – The Maize God 5. K’awiil – The God of Lightning 6. Ek’Chuawah – The Merchant God The Maya were polytheistic (which means they believed in more than one god) and had many gods that overlapped in their duties. The 12 most well known were: 7. Pawahtuun – God of Earth and Water Points 8. Ix Chel – Goddess of Birth and Healing 9. Moon Goddess – Goddess of Fertility and Growth 10. Hun Ajaw and Yaz Bahlam – The Hero Twins 11. God A/A’ – God of Death (usually represented as two gods) 12. Kukulkan – The Feathered Serpent

OVER TO YOU Choose one of the Maya gods and do your own research on them. Think about: • Any key features (big eyes, snakes for hair) • What they were important for • What sort of rituals were performed around them 1. Itzamna – The Supreme Creator 2. K’Inich Ajaw – The Sun God 3. Chaak – The Rain God 4. Yum Kaax – The Maize God 5. K’awiil – The God of Lightning 6. Ek’Chuawah – The Merchant God 7. Pawahtuun – God of Earth and Water Points 8. Ix Chel – Goddess of Birth and Healing 9. Moon Goddess – Goddess of Fertility and Growth 10. Hun Ajaw and Yaz Bahlam – The Hero Twins 11. God A/A’ – God of Death (usually represented as two gods) 12. Kukulkan – The Feathered Serpent

MAYA MASKS

WHAT WERE MASKS USED FOR? The ancient Maya civilisation had many uses for masks. They were used to decorate caves and temples, wealthy Mayas were buried with death masks, masks representing gods were used in sacrificial ceremonies, and for many other uses.

DESIGNERS, GET DESIGNING! See if you can design your own Maya face mask! Remember to use the information you’ve gathered about the Maya gods and add these features into your own mask.

MAYA MASKS II: THE MASKENING

CARDBOARD EVERYWHERE! Its time to put your skills and knowledge to the test to create your mask design in real life. Remember, best mask gets the honor of being sacrifice!