Until the late 15th century, Mesoamerica was ruled by the Mayan civilization. This historic civilization is one of the most influential and enduring in Mesoamerica. The Maya were far ahead of other civilizations in science and astronomy, showing their remarkable intelligence. However, this scientific inquiry is inextricably linked to religious beliefs, and the religious complexities of the Mayan civilization are just as fascinating as their scientific explorations. Now let's take a look at the religions that were indispensable in the lives of the Mayans.
In Mayan religion, Huracán, the god of wind and heaven, is revered as the "Heart of Heaven" and is a powerful and feared deity. The Mayan faith had a number of deities, and the worship of the gods varied from time to time, but Hurakan always held a high status and was always the primary presence among the Mayan deities.
The Mayans were polytheistic believers and believed in gods such as the Creator. The Mayans believed that Hurakán, the god of wind and the sky, was the deity who created humanity and the earth. They believe that the earth and sky were born from a ceiba tree planted in Huracán, and that Huracan created other plants and animals. However, his first attempt to create humans failed, and his second use of wood was unsatisfactory, and it was not until the third time he used corn and mixed it with the blood of other gods that he succeeded in creating a human being capable of management.
In Mayan beliefs, the afterlife includes the upper world, the middle world, and the underworld. They believed that the living and the dead were able to communicate with each other, and that the souls of the dead could communicate with the living in certain geographical locations. The Mayans also believed that good and evil spirits could attach themselves to objects, places, or people.
Perhaps the most well-known aspect of the Mayan religion is blood sacrifice and human sacrifice. The Mayan aristocracy and upper class practiced blood sacrifices in the belief that it would compensate for the cost paid by the gods for the creation of humanity and that they would be protected in battle. In addition, human sacrifice is often performed in wars or religious ceremonies, and this cruel and bloody practice is appalling.
Overall, the Mayan religion is closely linked to the universe and astronomy. Their knowledge of astronomy allowed them to accurately ** cosmic events such as eclipses, which they used as time markers for religious ceremonies. Unlike other ancient civilizations, certain elements of the Mayan religion are still practiced and practiced today.