My Perspective on the Story of the Maya

The Popol Vuh

The Hero Twins shooting
 a perched bird demon
 (most likely Seven Macaw)
 with a blowgun.
From Izapa Stela 25.

About the story of Maya, it is clear that we cannot ignore one of the most important piece, The Popol Vuh. In this book that I have read, it is produced and translated by Allen J. Christenson. The Popol Vuh focused on the legendary adventure of the Hero Twins, Hunahpu and Xbalanque. The book also included the origin of the world, of how the order was created. The book stated, "Then the earth was created by them. Merely their word brought about the creation of it. In order to create the earth, they said, 'Earth' and immediately it was created. Just like a cloud, like a mist, was the creation and formation of it."(Christenson 71) That is how the earth came to be in Mayan legend, this origin seems to be very interesting to me, because I do love how mythologies always described that there were nothing, then came the noble existences creating everything.

The Hero Twins

Other than the origin of the world in the Mayan perspective, the mighty Hero Twins also have a great impotance in The Popol Vuh. Speaking of this, the distinction between them and their father and uncle — One Hunahpu and Seven Hunahpu, is also worth noticing. I believe it is within the two very familiar chapters "The Descent of One Hunahpu and Seven Hunahpu into Xibalba" and "The Descent of Hunahpu and  Xbalanque. First, we look into One Hunahpu and Seven Hunahpu, "Therefore they were defeated. For they used up the torch as well as the cigars that had been given to them."(Christenson 124) In that chapter, as we read through, we see that their father and uncle ended up with complete failure in Xibalba. Here's what Hunahpu and Xbalanque did show us that distinction, "But the torch was not used up, for it was only an illusion. Neither did the cigars have anything burning on them. It was merely an illusion as well. Thus they returned them whole to the lords."(Christenson 163) Hunahpu and Xbalanque shown us that they possessed the wisdom that their father and uncle did not have, and it further suggests to us that the Hero Twins do have what it takes to complete their trials. Here is a good video introducing more about Hero Twins, it should gives us a better digestion on the stories.

The Story of Hero Twins - Mayan Collection | Myths and Legends | EP04 | 4K

Youtube, by Myths and Legends.

Reflection

Continuing with the Hero Twins. We see how have they accomplished their deeds, but what's important is that we should see what their deeds represent for the Mayan culture. In this case, how did it connect the origin of Maya people. For my perspective, I think it is within the chapter "Hunahpu and Xbalanque in the Maizefield" that they have best expressed this connection, it said, "Thus they took up their axes and their hoes, carrying them on their shoulders. Each of them also shouldered his blowgun and departed their home."(Christenson 148) In this chapter, we don't just see the determination that the Hero Twins had, but also the spirit of laboring. As I too coming from a culture that encourages honor of laboring, I do see a connection with these details that this story expressed. Other than that, we also see again how maize is important throughout the entire Mayan culture.

Works Cited

Christenson, Allen J, and Canning House Library (Hispanic & Luso Brazilian Councils. Popol Vuh : The Sacred Book of the Maya : The Great Classic of Central American Spirituality. Norman, University Of Oklahoma Press, 2007.

Myths and Legends. “The Story of Hero Twins - Mayan Collection | Myths and Legends | EP04 | 4K.” Www.youtube.com, www.youtube.com/watch?v=jojLJNn87fU. Accessed 13 Nov. 2021.

Wikipedia Contributors. “Maya Hero Twins.” Wikipedia, 1 May 2021,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_Hero_Twins. Accessed 13 Nov. 2021.