Mayan Myths and interpretation of the Classic Mayan cultural worldview

[Suki]

The Classic Maya civilization had some interesting myths and used a lot of words to capture deeper meaning. Nothing is flat and one dimensional.

I thought it would be good to put in a post on it. Wikidea lists some of the Mayan mythology concisely. Balam is a word in Maya with many layered meanings. One of them is this one:

Balam
Any of a group of jaguar gods who protected people and communities against threats

And men who protected communities against threats were quite looked up to and called "Balam" out of respect for their wisdom and experience.

I hope someone here in Puerto Rico.com knows that now.

I think it is fun to analyze cultural myths and how cultures express themselves through mythology. It says a lot about mindset and world view. And since I love anthropology that is logical.

And many things one sees in that region of Mayan influenced cultures have so many little Puerto Rican touches. The hammocks, the achiote on their pork, the bitter orange juice, the plantain leaves, the flamboyanes, and the mamey fruit. Among so many other things. And the GUAYABERAS. Yep, folks they have some cool guayaberas for the heat.

[Suki]

Here is the link for the wikidea page with a quick overview of Mayan mythology.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_mythology



Here is a beach in Vieques.

Now check out this beach in Yucatan? Similarities?



Uxmal is not as well known as some other Classic Mayan sites in Yucatan state. But it is more impressive than Chichen Itza by far: The architecture is much more detailed and the views from the top of the pyramids of the Yucatecan jungle is impressive. Yucatan is interesting in geography and topography. They had a civilization without rivers or access to huge water sources. Instead they had 'cenotes', or 'sinkholes' in which their was a vast underground cave system of connected water resources. In the stifling heat of the Yucatan and in parts of Guatemala these 'cenotes' provided the lifeblood for the Mayan empire. In the heat of the day, sometimes reaching 104 degrees and 100% humidity these 'cenotes' were cool and refreshing. And many Mayan poets would write odes and praises to these life saving water holes.



As you can see Uxmal is beautiful. I climbed up to the top. And from the top you can see some bright splashes of flame orange red flamboyan trees.

Some more images of Uxmal:




Here is a picture of the beach at TULUM



Here is a picture of the many faces of Chac. The source is credited between the imaging quotes:



See how detailed it is. Many people don't realize that these pyramids when the Spaniards arrived were plastered over and died incredibly bright colors. Symbolic of many things. The favored colors were red, black, yellow, blue, and green. Imagine these art works with fantastic colors in the middle of the jungle. Populated by many people engaged in craft, art, astronomy, agriculture, trade and government and religious indoctrination. Fascinating isn't it?

Here is a picture of the cenote I swam in near Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico. It is free to the public on Sundays. I think. Lol. I am not sure.

[Jacob-Estrada]

Hey Suki, thanks for the thread. Those pictures are beautiful. I know I loved them.

Talk later,
J