The MayaThe Maya

The Significance of CornThe Significance of Corn

Mayan CosmologyMayan Cosmology

Earth and Water Earth and Water important elements important elements because they are the because they are the origins of life.origins of life.

Tlaloc is the guardian Tlaloc is the guardian god of rain who cares for god of rain who cares for the milpas (land the milpas (land dedicated to corn dedicated to corn cultivation)cultivation)

Offerings , praise and Offerings , praise and thanks are giventhanks are given

Human activity is dictated by Human activity is dictated by naturenature

Harming nature is considered Harming nature is considered a sina sin

Mayan year divided in 260 Mayan year divided in 260 days which represents the days which represents the cycle of corn and the cycle of corn and the gestation cycle of a human in gestation cycle of a human in the womb.the womb.

Creation of man is said to Creation of man is said to have been possible from the have been possible from the dough of yellow corn.dough of yellow corn.

Corn is present at all human Corn is present at all human activities; food, decoration activities; food, decoration and as a religions symbol.and as a religions symbol.

Popol VuhPopol Vuh

The sacred story of The sacred story of creation dictates creation dictates rituals for the rituals for the cultivation of corn cultivation of corn asking for help and asking for help and forgivenessforgiveness

Mayan New YearMayan New Year

Illustrates the core Illustrates the core religions value which religions value which is the human is the human subordination to subordination to naturenature

All give thanks to the All give thanks to the earth, wind, sky, fire earth, wind, sky, fire and breath. and breath.

Wajxaqib' B'atz'Wajxaqib' B'atz' is celebrated as the "Mayan New Year" or the is celebrated as the "Mayan New Year" or the

beginning of beginning of the Cholq'ij calendar by Native Mayan communities the Cholq'ij calendar by Native Mayan communities throughout Mesoamerica.throughout Mesoamerica.

This event occurs every 260 days, or roughly nine This event occurs every 260 days, or roughly nine months. It is a day when ceremonies are held and months. It is a day when ceremonies are held and prayers are made for good things to happen over the prayers are made for good things to happen over the

course of the next 260 days. course of the next 260 days. Wajxaqib' is the number 8 in Kiche and is the Wajxaqib' is the number 8 in Kiche and is the

force of spirituality. force of spirituality. B'atz' is the energy of a new cycle, the couple and B'atz' is the energy of a new cycle, the couple and

also spirituality. also spirituality.

On this day, fires will be lit On this day, fires will be lit throughout the region throughout the region with prayers and celebrations with prayers and celebrations being made by the communities. being made by the communities.

There is actually a period of some There is actually a period of some days prior to this of spiritual days prior to this of spiritual preparation made preparation made by the peoples in all areas of the by the peoples in all areas of the community. community.

The Mayan lived by The Mayan lived by and for corn and for corn

It was so highly It was so highly esteemed that jade, esteemed that jade, the most sacred of the most sacred of stones, was used to stones, was used to symbolize it (its symbolize it (its green color green color reminiscent of tender reminiscent of tender green corn) green corn)