| Object Name: | Cosmic monster and Rise of Maize God |
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| Culture: | Classic Maya | |
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| Image source: | Drawing by Linda Schele in her book Blood of Kings | |
| According to Maya mythology, man was formed by the gods from maize. Maize and blood were identified as the most potent substances by the Maya. Maize God was First Father and the overseer of Creation. Maize God was killed by the Lords of the Death and buried in the ballcourt in Xibalba. His sons, the Hero Twins, resurrected him and brought him back to life so that he could generate the Fourth Creation. The Cosmic Monster is a dragon-like beast with a crocodilian head marked by deer ears. The body has legs, usually terminating in deer hooves and with joints in the form of water scrolls. Photo taken by Dr. Manuel Aguilar | ||
