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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.
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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
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)