Mythology of the Mayas

Visit the links below to learn about Mayan myths related to objects in the sky, and aspects of their world.

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Maya astronomers had a remarkably accurate knowledge of the apparent motion of <a href="/venus/venus.html">Venus</a>. They knew on what day Venus would appear again in the east after it had disappeared in the west. Venus, the morning star, was the patron planet of warfare.<p><small><em>Image courtesy of Windows to the Universe</em></small></p>

Explore Mythology of the Mayas

The Earth: Bacabs

The Maya believed the Earth was flat with four corners. Each corner represented a cardinal ...Read more

The Rain: Xib Chac

Xib Chac was the Mayan rain god. He was a benevolent god, and was represented by many colors. ...Read more

The Moon: Ix Chel

Ix Chel, the "Lady Rainbow," was the old Moon goddess in Mayan mythology. The Maya people lived ...Read more

Venus: Kukulcan

The ancient Mayans used the doorways and windows of their buildings as astronomical sightings, ...Read more

The Planet Mars

Mayans were sophisticated observers of the sky. Mayans used their astronomical knowledge to ...Read more

The Milky Way

Mayans seem to have thought of the Milky Way as the mystic road along which souls walk into ...Read more

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Did you know?

Did you know that Earth is the largest and densest rocky planet in the solar system?

Did you know that "megalith" means "big rock", which is certainly a good description of Stonehenge?

 

Earth and Space Science Concept of the Day

Do you know what this word or phrase means?

Alluvium
xAlluvium : Alluvium is loose gravel, sand, silt, or clay deposited by streams.

Click on the word to find out!

Research Highlights

Scientists Find Signs of “Snowball Earth” Amidst Early Animal Evolution

There used to be sea ice floating on the tropical ocean, according to new evidence found by geologists. This was quite a long time ago, 716.5 million years ago, during a time known as Snowball Earth. This...Read more


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