Mayans conceived the world not based on their understanding, but it involves beliefs, culture, religion, and the movement of the stars according to a recently published article.



The Mayan Civilization

The Mayan civilization was one of the most dominant indigenous societies of "Mesoamerica"--a term used to describe Mexico and Central America before the Spanish conquest.

There is one thing that makes the Mayans distinct from other indigenous groups. They interpret things not on their understanding but based on the abundant natural resources where they lived in and also in their astronomical culture.

Here are some of the things that you should know about how the Mayans shape the world based on the precise position of the stars, understanding the mechanics of heavens, and including how they develop their buildings based on the cosmos.



Cosmology

The Mayans believed the universe where man lives is a complex structure of superimposed horizontal levels and populated by divine forces. For them, heaven is composed of 13 levels, the earth where man lives is represented as a rectangular world, and the underworld is divided into nine layers.

Moreover, these are the three main cosmic spaces that are associated with colors and symbols of the ritual calendar.



Codices

So far, this is one of the most valuable written records about the Mayan civilization. There are only three that codices that have survived of which its authenticity can be verified. These are the Dresden, Paris, and Madrid. There is a fourth codex called Grolier, but its authenticity is yet to be confirmed.

In 1540, when Alonso de Zorita saw these books, he said that it "narrated their history of more than eight hundred years ago and were interpreted by ancient indigenous people."



Popol Vuh

This is one of the most essential records of the Mayan culture. In it, its contents reveal the mythological beliefs and literary qualities of civilization. Some scholars compared the importance of Popol Vuh to the Greek Illiad and Odyssey.

Popol Vuh means "The Book of Counsel," and this is where ancient Mayan lords consulted pictorial manuscripts most especially when matters about the government are discussed.



The Creation of the World

These are some of the essential lines about how the world was created. This was also found in the fragments of Popol Vuh.

"This is the account of how everything was in suspense, everything quiet in silence; everything still, silent and empty expanse of heaven. This is the first relationship, the first speech. There was not yet a man, nor an animal, birds, fish, crabs, trees, stones, caves, ravines, grasses, or forests: only the sky existed."

"The face of the earth did not manifest itself. There was only the calm sea and the sky in its entirety. There was nothing together, making a noise, nor anything moving, stirring, or making a sound in the sky. There was nothing that stood; only the water at rest, the sea peaceful, only quiet. There was nothing endowed with existence."

"There was only stillness and silence in the darkness, in the night. Only the Creator, the Formator, Tepeu, Gucumatz, the Progenitors, were in the water surrounded by clarity. They were hidden under green and blue feathers."

Overall, what was discovered about the creation of the world is almost the same as what is written in the Holy Bible as to how God created the world.



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