Top 10 Mayan Gods

Most knowledge of the Mayan gods comes from the Popul Vuh, a 1550 compilation of Mexican creation myths. The original text was lost, but an 18th century translation survived, now kept in the Newberry Library in Chicago.

1. Itzamná: the god of creation, agriculture, writing, and healing. Alternate identities include serpent-god Kukulkan (an incarnation of the Aztec Queztacoatl), a night jaguar, and the sun god.

2. Chak: god of rain and harvest. Depicted with catfish whiskers, scales, and lightning bolt.

3. The Hero Twins: Hunahpu, identified by the black spot on his cheek and Xbanalque, who sports jaguar pelts. Pro-ballplayers who battled the underworld gods to avenge their father’s death.

4. Ah Puch: “the flatulent one.” Also the god of death. Associated with owls and represented with rotting skin and popped eyeballs.

5. Ix-Chel: the moon and fertility goddess. Her fling with Itzamná produced the bacabs, who hold up the four corners of the sky.

6. Vacub Caquix: the Seven Macaw. A deluded bird deity who thinks he’s the sun god. The Hero Twins disabuse him of the idea.

7. Ek Chuah: god of both merchants and war. Coincidence?

8. Backlum Chaam: male sex god. Also one of the bacabs.

9. Acan: patron of intoxication and the honey brew, Balche.

10. Zipacna: Vacub Caquix’s giant demon son. Kills 400 warriors in one sitting. Literally.