The Maya The Significance of Corn

Mayan Cosmology  Earth and Water important elements because they are the origins of life.  Tlaloc is the guardian god of rain who cares for the milpas (land dedicated to corn cultivation)  Offerings, praise and thanks are given

 Human activity is dictated by nature  Harming nature is considered a sin

 Mayan year divided in 260 days which represents the cycle of corn and the gestation cycle of a human in the womb.  Creation of man is said to have been possible from the dough of yellow corn.  Corn is present at all human activities; food, decoration and as a religions symbol.

Popol Vuh The sacred story of creation dictates rituals for the cultivation of corn asking for help and forgiveness

Mayan New Year

 Illustrates the core religions value which is the human subordination to nature  All give thanks to the earth, wind, sky, fire and breath.

Wajxaqib' B'atz'  is celebrated as the "Mayan New Year" or the beginning of the Cholq'ij calendar by Native Mayan communities throughout Mesoamerica.  This event occurs every 260 days, or roughly nine months. It is a day when ceremonies are held and prayers are made for good things to happen over the course of the next 260 days.  Wajxaqib' is the number 8 in Kiche and is the force of spirituality.  B'atz' is the energy of a new cycle, the couple and also spirituality.

 On this day, fires will be lit throughout the region with prayers and celebrations being made by the communities.  There is actually a period of some days prior to this of spiritual preparation made by the peoples in all areas of the community.

 The Mayan lived by and for corn  It was so highly esteemed that jade, the most sacred of stones, was used to symbolize it (its green color reminiscent of tender green corn)