1. Religion was extremely important to every part of Mayan life.
Mayan Religion
Religion was extremely important to every part of Mayan life.

2. Many Gods
Mayans worshipped many gods, including gods of the following:
Days
Months
Cities
Occupations
Weather

3. Mayan Gods Itzamna – Head god (god of heavens Rain god Kiniuch Ahau
& day/night)
Kiniuch Ahau
Sun god
Chac
Rain god
Yun Kaaz
Corn god

4. Building with carving of the hooked nosed god, Chac.

5. Vault with carvings of the rain god.

6. Religious Ceremonies Offering of gifts and sacrifices
Believed gods would give favors in exchange for prayers, offerings, and sacrifices

7. Mayan Political Structure
A “Class”y Society.

8. Organization of the city-state
Mayan society was highly organized.
There were very distinctive levels of importance among the people.
A person’s social rank determined
where they lived, and
what their function in the community was.

9. Plaza at Tikal

10. City State Rulers
Ruler known as the halach uinic, which means “the true or real man.”
A living god
Ruled until death
Performed ceremonies, & sometimes lived in the temples located in the city center

11. Halach Uinic’s Appearance
Elaborate, colorful clothing
Large headdress
Enormous ear decorations
Crossed eyes
Many tattoos

12. Halach Uinic

14. Temples
The Mayas built two kinds of pyramids. Both pyramids had steep steps leading up to a flat top.
One type of pyramid was designed to be used by the halach uinic and the priests to conduct ceremonies on the steps where everyone could see them.
The most important ceremonies were conducted at the very top of the pyramids.
The other type of pyramid was designed to be admired - designed to honor a god.
Mayan pyramids were built so high to serve as landmarks for the Mayan people. They served to remind the populace that the gods were always present.

15. Temple at Tikal

16. Temple at Tulum

17. Palace at Palenque

18. Priests Halach Uinic’s advisors Named ahkin Performed many duties
Knowledgeable in mathematics and astronomy
Some called prophets (could see the future)
Performed medical rituals
Performed religious sacrifices
Might officiate over ball games

19. The Observatory at Chichen Itza

20. Ball Court at Chichen Itza

21. Nobles or Upper Class Home at Tulum (just outside of the center of the city)

22. Mayan Nobles To the Maya nobles personal appearance was important.
pierced their ears.
painted bodies covered with tattoos.
added colorful embroidery to their clothing.
loved jewelry. 
THEY LOVED HATS!!!! The Mayas believed that the bigger the hat, the more important the wearer. Some of the headdresses worn by nobles were taller than they were. 

23. Noblemen’s Home at Tulum

24. Tikal

25. Possible home of a craftsman, merchant, or soldier -
who would make up the next social order of the city-state

26. Gate protecting the city limits

27. Peasant/Farmers
A family’s lot was delineated by albarradas (low walls made of narrowly stacked stone).
Each family's lot included their hut, a well, a latrine, a chicken coup, a garden.
The house was one rectangular room with rounded corners, no windows, and one central door built to face east. When the hammocks were hung, the main, single-room house was converted into a dormitory.

28. Peasant/Farmer’s Home

29. Peasant/Farmers
Men wore a loincloth-a strip of cloth around their hips and through their legs-daily.
Women wore loose dresses that went down to their ankles, perfect for the hot weather.
The masses wore knick-knacks of stone, bone, wood, mainly on their faces.

30. Slaves Lowest level of importance in the social structure
Slaves were either
convicted criminals required to pay restitution
captured warriors from battles
Forced to do labor for the owner
Lived in lean-to near owner’s dwelling

31. Summary
Mayan religion was extremely important to every aspect of life.
The Mayas worshipped many different gods and goddesses & practiced sacrifice in exchange for favors from the gods.
Each city-state had a ruler whom was considered a living god.
Mayans had a class society: priests, wealthy nobles, craftsman/warriors, peasants and farmers. The lowest class were the slaves.

32. There Goes the Marvelous Mayans!!!!!