Maya Gods and Goddesses
The Maya civilization worshipped a vast and vibrant pantheon of deities, each with their own domain and influence.
This page serves as your portal to this fascinating world. Here, you’ll encounter the powerful gods and goddesses who governed the Maya cosmos, from the life-giving maize deity to the fearsome lords of the underworld. Explore their myths, symbols, and the profound impact they had on Maya culture. Prepare to be awestruck by the rich tapestry of Maya beliefs, where every aspect of life, from agriculture to rulership, was intertwined with the divine.
In the early 20th century, a significant breakthrough occurred in understanding the Maya pantheon. Archaeologists developed a lettering system, known as the Schellhas-Zimmermann-Taube Classification, to categorize the vast array of deities depicted in Maya art and codices. This system, named after three key scholars (Paul Schellhas, Karl Zimmermann, and Karl Taube), aimed to bring order to the seemingly endless variety of gods and goddesses encountered in Maya archaeological finds.
By assigning a unique letter (God A, God B, etc.) to each recurring deity based on their physical characteristics, attributes, and associated symbols, the classification system provided a much-needed framework for further research.
Digital Maps of the Ancient World 