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The Mayan believed in many gods and goddesses. Worshiping these gods were a huge part of everyday life. Some of their gods included the god of rain, the god of sun, and the god of wind. They thought nature was important and came up with a god for each item in nature. They also worshiped a god of maize. Maize was another word for corn and it was their most important crop. The god of maize must be kept happy to have a good harvest.
The Mayan believed in many gods and goddesses. Worshiping these gods were a huge part of everyday life. Some of their gods included the god of rain, the god of sun, and the god of wind. They thought nature was important and came up with a god for each item in nature. They also worshiped a god of maize. Maize was another word for corn and it was their most important crop. The god of maize must be kept happy to have a good harvest.
They also believed the world was made up of three levels or layers: the Heavens, the Earth, and the Underworld. Sometimes they called the Underworld the Place of Awe. This was a place for non-human creatures that the Mayans believed in. They held many ceremonies to keep the gods happy and the creatures in the Underworld where they belonged.
They also believed the world was made up of three levels or layers: the Heavens, the Earth, and the Underworld. Sometimes they called the Underworld the Place of Awe. This was a place for non-human creatures that the Mayans believed in. They held many ceremonies to keep the gods happy and the creatures in the Underworld where they belonged.
After death, Mayans believed they could still communicate with their dead family members. Therefore, they often buried them inside their homes under the dirt floor. This allowed the dead to "hear" what was going on in the lives of their living family members. They also thought the dead would watch over them and keep them safe so having them close by was a plus.
After death, Mayans believed they could still communicate with their dead family members. Therefore, they often buried them inside their homes under the dirt floor. This allowed the dead to "hear" what was going on in the lives of their living family members. They also thought the dead would watch over them and keep them safe so having them close by was a plus.
Priests were an important part of religion. They decided nearly everything about life: when when to pray, when to sacrifice, when to plant, and who or what to sacrifice . Priests often dressed up like jaguars or wore scary masks. Priests were usually the only ones brave enough to use a mirror. Looking into a mirror was an act of courage. The Maya believed monsters from the Underworld could reach through the mirror to pull you in.
Priests were an important part of religion. They decided nearly everything about life: when when to pray, when to sacrifice, when to plant, and who or what to sacrifice . Priests often dressed up like jaguars or wore scary masks. Priests were usually the only ones brave enough to use a mirror. Looking into a mirror was an act of courage. The Maya believed monsters from the Underworld could reach through the mirror to pull you in.
During many festivals there was human and animal sacrifices. That means they would kill a human or an animal and offer it up to the gods. Human sacrifice was rare and was usually prisoners captured in war. Not all sacrifices ended in death. More often, the Maya communicated with the gods through "bloodletting." People would stab or cut themselves and offer their own blood to the gods. A less dramatic and less violent way to honor the gods was to offer them a chocolate drink which we will read about.
During many festivals there was human and animal sacrifices. That means they would kill a human or an animal and offer it up to the gods. Human sacrifice was rare and was usually prisoners captured in war. Not all sacrifices ended in death. More often, the Maya communicated with the gods through "bloodletting." People would stab or cut themselves and offer their own blood to the gods. A less dramatic and less violent way to honor the gods was to offer them a chocolate drink which we will read about.
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