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Mayas
21.12.2004 um 19:50Anhang: mexico.JPG (170, KB)
Maya Cosmos
This is, at the current time, the ultimate study of the old Maya belief system. And, I do mean study, because it explains the archaeological evidence and current Maya practices that support the conclusions.
It is a long text, and the notes do help clarify things (so read them). This book is probably more than some readers wish to tackle, but for those interested in Meso-America it is a gem. The last twenty to thirty years have brought so much understanding to this field. Key to this is the understanding of the Maya, and how the movement of their constellations replayed their creation story before their eyes. Further, what has opened up a wealth of understanding and helped put archaeological discoveries in context is the fact that, while the Maya civilization is gone, the Maya people and culture are very much alive. Archaeologists had long assumed that the Spanish Conquest had swept away the old beliefs– the truth now coming to light is that beliefs were redirected. Some beliefs of ancient Gods are now attached to Christian saints, others have simply gone underground.
For Maya-philes, it is a wonderful time to be alive. There is finally a good, solid understanding of the basic Maya outlook on the world. Ongoing excavations are enriching this understanding. Modern Maya are working hand in hand with archaeologists to explore their heritage. Perhaps most miraculous of all, they are also being taught the ancient writing, and choosing for themselves how to adapt it to modern linguistic needs. It is hoped that, in the near future, Maya children will learn not only to write Spanish in school, but also a Maya dialect.
I wish I could share more with you about what is in the book and how I can now understand that what we consider dark and violent practices made perfect sense to the Maya of old. I wish I could, but I simply do not have room to do it justice. The Maya world is more interesting than any modern fiction used to explain it. It is much richer and more enchanting than fiction could be. If you have the interest and the time, this book is well worth any effort it may take to really understand what the authors are conveying. It is even worth the tongue-twisting Maya names, half of which I still can’t pronounce.
–Morning Wren
A Look into the Maya World
Maya wall paintings and sculpture have been notoriously difficult to interpret, due to their high degree of stylization. With the growing understanding of Maya writing and religious cosmology, these images and their meanings are becoming much clearer. For example, this illustration has been interpreted by some as proof (or at least an indicator) of ancient astronauts. I must admit I’ve been intrigued, but I didn’t draw a firm conclusion until I could research it. Basically, the much-publicized interpretation is a modern one. The question that must be asked is, what would someone from the culture that produced it see? Many ancient cultures used in their artwork a sort of shorthand of images that would be understood by most people in that society, even those who couldn’t read or write.
The best way to start interpreting one image is to examine the cultures’ other images. Are there repeating themes or elements? In this case, the entire carving is full of elements that are repeated through the Maya world and also in their religious legends.
This carving is the top of the sarcophagus of King Pacal of Palenque, so in addition to the other factors, the appearance of the elements in a funerary context must also be taken into consideration. Let’s take a look at a few of the elements:
This is a portion of the image. Compare it to this:
These latter two are both variations of the Maya world tree. The concept of a world tree or cosmic axis that connects all levels of reality is a recurrent theme in many cultures around the world. In the case of the Maya, it is also interconnected with their astronomy (explained in good detail in the book, Maya Cosmos).
On top of the tree perches Itzam-Yeh, the macaw. He plays an important part in the Maya creation cycle as the vain “false sun”, who must be deposed before the true sun can rise. At the base is the water lily monster. As the Mayan legends are extremely complex, interconnected and layered, his role there is difficult to explain in the space available.
The main figure is Pakal himself, dressed in the costume of Seven-Hunahpu, the resurrecting maize God. Pakal falls down the world tree, or cosmic axis into the underworld. He enters the “White Road” of death.
Actually, I cannot, in such a short space, do justice to these intricately intertwined legends, where one character or symbol shows up time and time again, presented in a slightly different way. I have never found a legend cycle that is so exquisitely and completely interwoven. I am not comfortable with the blood imagery that pervades the old Maya legends, however, when taken as a whole, their cosmology becomes a beautiful piece of literary artwork.
–Morning Wren
Die Staaten blühen nur, wenn entweder Philosophen herrschen oder die Herrscher philosophieren.
Die schlimmste Art der Ungerechtigkeit ist die vorgespielte Gerechtigkeit.
- Platon -
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Maya Cosmos
This is, at the current time, the ultimate study of the old Maya belief system. And, I do mean study, because it explains the archaeological evidence and current Maya practices that support the conclusions.
It is a long text, and the notes do help clarify things (so read them). This book is probably more than some readers wish to tackle, but for those interested in Meso-America it is a gem. The last twenty to thirty years have brought so much understanding to this field. Key to this is the understanding of the Maya, and how the movement of their constellations replayed their creation story before their eyes. Further, what has opened up a wealth of understanding and helped put archaeological discoveries in context is the fact that, while the Maya civilization is gone, the Maya people and culture are very much alive. Archaeologists had long assumed that the Spanish Conquest had swept away the old beliefs– the truth now coming to light is that beliefs were redirected. Some beliefs of ancient Gods are now attached to Christian saints, others have simply gone underground.
For Maya-philes, it is a wonderful time to be alive. There is finally a good, solid understanding of the basic Maya outlook on the world. Ongoing excavations are enriching this understanding. Modern Maya are working hand in hand with archaeologists to explore their heritage. Perhaps most miraculous of all, they are also being taught the ancient writing, and choosing for themselves how to adapt it to modern linguistic needs. It is hoped that, in the near future, Maya children will learn not only to write Spanish in school, but also a Maya dialect.
I wish I could share more with you about what is in the book and how I can now understand that what we consider dark and violent practices made perfect sense to the Maya of old. I wish I could, but I simply do not have room to do it justice. The Maya world is more interesting than any modern fiction used to explain it. It is much richer and more enchanting than fiction could be. If you have the interest and the time, this book is well worth any effort it may take to really understand what the authors are conveying. It is even worth the tongue-twisting Maya names, half of which I still can’t pronounce.
–Morning Wren
A Look into the Maya World
Maya wall paintings and sculpture have been notoriously difficult to interpret, due to their high degree of stylization. With the growing understanding of Maya writing and religious cosmology, these images and their meanings are becoming much clearer. For example, this illustration has been interpreted by some as proof (or at least an indicator) of ancient astronauts. I must admit I’ve been intrigued, but I didn’t draw a firm conclusion until I could research it. Basically, the much-publicized interpretation is a modern one. The question that must be asked is, what would someone from the culture that produced it see? Many ancient cultures used in their artwork a sort of shorthand of images that would be understood by most people in that society, even those who couldn’t read or write.
The best way to start interpreting one image is to examine the cultures’ other images. Are there repeating themes or elements? In this case, the entire carving is full of elements that are repeated through the Maya world and also in their religious legends.
This carving is the top of the sarcophagus of King Pacal of Palenque, so in addition to the other factors, the appearance of the elements in a funerary context must also be taken into consideration. Let’s take a look at a few of the elements:
This is a portion of the image. Compare it to this:
These latter two are both variations of the Maya world tree. The concept of a world tree or cosmic axis that connects all levels of reality is a recurrent theme in many cultures around the world. In the case of the Maya, it is also interconnected with their astronomy (explained in good detail in the book, Maya Cosmos).
On top of the tree perches Itzam-Yeh, the macaw. He plays an important part in the Maya creation cycle as the vain “false sun”, who must be deposed before the true sun can rise. At the base is the water lily monster. As the Mayan legends are extremely complex, interconnected and layered, his role there is difficult to explain in the space available.
The main figure is Pakal himself, dressed in the costume of Seven-Hunahpu, the resurrecting maize God. Pakal falls down the world tree, or cosmic axis into the underworld. He enters the “White Road” of death.
Actually, I cannot, in such a short space, do justice to these intricately intertwined legends, where one character or symbol shows up time and time again, presented in a slightly different way. I have never found a legend cycle that is so exquisitely and completely interwoven. I am not comfortable with the blood imagery that pervades the old Maya legends, however, when taken as a whole, their cosmology becomes a beautiful piece of literary artwork.
–Morning Wren
Die Staaten blühen nur, wenn entweder Philosophen herrschen oder die Herrscher philosophieren.
Die schlimmste Art der Ungerechtigkeit ist die vorgespielte Gerechtigkeit.
- Platon -
