MAYA

4 GODS OF MAYA

• Itzamna- god of fire, ruler of heaven as well as day and night he also created Earth.
• Kulkan- his name means 'winged serpent'. He is known as the winged god. He is the Sun god.
• Bolon Tzacab (Hurracan)- god of storms, wind and fire. In Maya religion he is believed to create floods when angered.
• Chaac- god of rain & lightning. It is believed that he creates storms with his 'lightning axe' when it hits a cloud!
• (Background) Chaac in hieroglyphs.

MAYA UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE GODS

• The appearance of gods had an impact on the people of Maya. Parents tried making their children focus on something, making them cross eyed. Just like the gods were depicted. Also the clothing of the gods were worn by the nobles.
• Priests had the biggest task relating to gods. They had to impersonate a specific god, predict futures, work miracles and avert famine, droughts, plagues and earthquakes!
• Priest temple in the background.

TRADITIONS AND BELIFS

• Sacrifices (blood) done either by offering blood to the gods, killing animals and or humans. Those who die in sacrifice go to heaven immediately.
• The royal family were given elaborate burials.
• If you died in sacrifice, or births you'd go to heaven.
• The afterlife is believed to be a long voyage in the underworld that was very dangerous.

FIN