Today for spooky season I wanted to write about Xtabay, a Mayan goddess of death, seduction, and forests. Xtabay was once a mortal woman named Utz-colel, who was beautiful and pure, but cruel of heart. Her sister Xkeban was outcast for her promiscuity but she was kind to animals and the poor. When Xkeban diedContinue reading “Xtabay”
Category Archives: Mayan deities (Ahau)
Qʼuqʼumatz
With today being World Indigenous Peoples Day, and it being dragon month I wanted to write about Qʼuqʼumatz, a Mayan god of creation, wind, and the sky. They are the sibling of Tepeu, who they created the world and humanity with. Qʼuqʼumatz is closely associated with Quetzalcoatl and Kukulkan, as well as Itzamna. Qʼuqʼumatz likelyContinue reading “Qʼuqʼumatz”
Awilix
Happy full moon today, I wanted to write about Awilix, a Mayan goddess of the moon, night, death, sickness, and Ollamaliztli. Although most often she was depicted with feline or bird-like features early images of Mayan Lunar deities showed her with crocodilian or draconic features. In a syncretic form she was a lover of SaintContinue reading “Awilix”
Maximón
Today, for Indigenous Heritage Month, I wanted to write about Maximón/San Simón, a Guatemalan folk saint of health, agriculture, marriage, business, and death. Maximón was an elder who reincarnated to protect his people. During the Spanish Conquest, an elder named Ri Laj Mam, upset by the evils of the Spaniards, encouraged his people to startContinue reading “Maximón”
Chin
Today, for Pride Month, I wanted to write about Chin, a Mayan deity of homosexuality. Chin was documented by Bishop Bartolomé de las Casas as being venerated in Guatemala by younger unmarried men as a “‘demon’ representing sexual acts between men.” It’s likely that his priests were all queer. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chin_%28deity%29?wprov=sfla1
Ganymedes' guide. 