Mayan Gods
Bacabs
The gods of the four points of the compass, who hold up the sky.
The lords of the seasons.
Camazotz
Bat god, demon of the underworld.
Chac
"Lightening," "the Cutter," "Lord of the
nine generations." Rain god. One of the four Bacabs, the Lord
of the East. Portrayed as a red man with a long nose. Revered particularly
by farmers.
Hunab Ku Also Kinebahan
"Eyes and mouth of the sun." The Great God without Form,
existing only in spirit. The chief god of the Mayan pantheon.
Hurakan
God of thunderstorms and the whirlwind. His name gave us the word
"hurricane." At the behest of his friend Gucumatz, son
of the Sun and the Moon, Hurakan created the world, the animals,
men and fire.
Itzamna
"Lizard House." Sky god and healer, son of Hunab Ku. Founder
of the Mayan capital city of Mayapan. God of drawing and letters,
patron of learning and the sciences. Itzamna can bring the dead
back to life. His symbol is a red hand to which the ill pray for
healing.
Ix Chel
"Lady Rainbow." Consort of Itzamna. Goddess of the moon,
of weaving and of medicine. Her hands and feet are claws, and there
are snakes in her hair. Except for Hunab Ku, all the other gods
are the progeny of Ix Chel an Itzamna.
Ixtab
Goddess who rules the paradise of the blessed, who are served magnificent
food and drink in the shade of the tree Yaxche. For reasons cmopletely
obscure, Ixtab is portrayed as a hanged woman with a noose around
her neck.
Kukulcan
"The Feathered Serpent." Serpent god. The city of Quirigua
was dedicated to his service. Roughly similar to Quetzalcoatl of
the Aztecs. He is said to have built the great city fo Chicen Itza.
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Native American Legends A-B