All about the ancient tribes
Mayan masks were representations of Mayan gods , as well as part of a very sacred funeral ritual in the Mayan Classic Period from 250 to 900 AD. These were placed over the face of an important ruler when he died. Mayan masks endowed the rulers with the status of a divine being as the “Tree of the Universe”.
The mask were commonly used in funrary rituals to cover the face of the death person. The simple masks were used to entertainment.
The Maya used stucco plaster to create large masks and portraits of both the gods and the kings. The kings would often commission a work of art to commemorate events in their lives. The city of Palenque is often considered the artistic capital of the Maya civilization.
Mayan masks were made from a variety of materials, including wood, gold, shell and volcanic rock, they used masks for a variety of reasons; to adorn the faces of the dead, to be worn at important events, to be worn during battle, and to be hung in houses.
The Mayan Pantheon: Gods and Goddesses – Itzamná This is one of the most important gods of the Mayan Gods. – Chaac . This is the famous Maya rain god. – Ix Chel . Ix Chel is known as La Blanca and is one of the most important goddesses in the vast Maya Pantheon. – Kinich Ahau . – Hun Nal Ye. – Ah Puch . – Ek Chuah. – Kukulcán God.
In Mayan mythology, the jaguar was seen as the ruler of the Underworld, and as such, a symbol of the night sun and darkness. The jaguar is representative of power, ferocity, and valor; he is the embodiment of aggressiveness. For some, the jaguar represents the power to face one’s fears, or to confront one’s enemies.
Itzamna
tigre
Scholars have suggested a number of potential reasons for the downfall of Maya civilization in the southern lowlands, including overpopulation, environmental degradation, warfare, shifting trade routes and extended drought. It’s likely that a complex combination of factors was behind the collapse.
Two thousand years ago, the ancient Maya developed one of the most advanced civilizations in the Americas. They developed a written language of hieroglyphs and invented the mathematical concept of zero. With their expertise in astronomy and mathematics, the Maya developed a complex and accurate calendar system.
Although much of the Maya life was spent doing hard work, they did enjoy entertainment as well. A lot of their entertainment was centered around religious ceremonies. They played music, danced, and played games such as the Maya ball game.