Some of the important Mayan gods
The Mayans were polytheistic, worshiping many gods. Most gods represented an aspect of nature as Mayans greatly respected nature and earth. The gods were human-like: living, dying and having benevolent and malevolent sides. The main deity was Itzanna, the creator god and the god of the people. Kukulkán, Chac, and Bolon Tzacab were also important deities.
Mayans believed science and religion were the same allowing them to develop a complicated system of astronomy and mathematics.
One of their central beliefs was the cyclical nature of existence: all existence carries on eternally in the cycle of time. This meant death was not the end of existence, it was just moving to a different part of it.
Time was an important element to the Maya. They were able to predict cycles of time, as seen through their calendars. This allowed them to make best use of the natural world.
Their cycles of time and predictions led to their belief that the world had been created 5 times and destroyed 4 times. They also believed certain days of the year were lucky and unlucky, and that you should and shouldn't do certain things on those days.
Nature was an important element to the Maya, and they believed everyone had animal companions whom they shared their souls with.
Because Mayans believed the cycle of life is eternal, they believed in a life after death. They believed in an afterlife in which everyone's soul goes to the underworld, Xibalba. Xibalba was a dark and frightening place populated by evil deities with names like Bloody Teeth and Flying Scab. The soul traveled through Xibalba to reach paradise, the realm of gods, but not all got there. The deities or the Lords of Xibalba, could easily steer one's soul in the wrong direction. After arriving, one would have to ascend 22 levels until reaching paradise while facing challenges and getting past obstacles. If the challenges were met, the soul would reach the realm of the gods and live in eternal happiness. People who were sacrificed or who died in childbirth were exempt from the journey. They went directly to the realm of the gods.
Mayans believed science and religion were the same allowing them to develop a complicated system of astronomy and mathematics.
One of their central beliefs was the cyclical nature of existence: all existence carries on eternally in the cycle of time. This meant death was not the end of existence, it was just moving to a different part of it.
Time was an important element to the Maya. They were able to predict cycles of time, as seen through their calendars. This allowed them to make best use of the natural world.
Their cycles of time and predictions led to their belief that the world had been created 5 times and destroyed 4 times. They also believed certain days of the year were lucky and unlucky, and that you should and shouldn't do certain things on those days.
Nature was an important element to the Maya, and they believed everyone had animal companions whom they shared their souls with.
Because Mayans believed the cycle of life is eternal, they believed in a life after death. They believed in an afterlife in which everyone's soul goes to the underworld, Xibalba. Xibalba was a dark and frightening place populated by evil deities with names like Bloody Teeth and Flying Scab. The soul traveled through Xibalba to reach paradise, the realm of gods, but not all got there. The deities or the Lords of Xibalba, could easily steer one's soul in the wrong direction. After arriving, one would have to ascend 22 levels until reaching paradise while facing challenges and getting past obstacles. If the challenges were met, the soul would reach the realm of the gods and live in eternal happiness. People who were sacrificed or who died in childbirth were exempt from the journey. They went directly to the realm of the gods.
A lord and a soul in Xibalba