Itzamná
Itzamná ( historical Maya : "iguana house", "lizard house" or "house of the drop") was the supreme god and creator god of the Mayan Yucatans of the post-classical period .
Appearance
Itzamná is represented in various forms. He appears as a huge, reptile-like figure, but also with the features of an old man who has a large, round eye with a volute underneath . Representations with heavenly symbols are also known.
function
It is often found in connection with other god names, which is why it is believed that a variety of different religious aspects were assigned to it. For example, he is also called Itzamná Kauil (“Itzamná great harvest”) and is thus represented as the god of fertility. The translation “house of the drop” also suggests the function of a rain god .
In combination with the interpretation of the name “lizard house” or “iguana house”, the reptile shape indicates a strong animal component.
This versatility of Itzamná's representations suggests a creator god. In fact, he is to be seen as equal to other Mesoamerican gods such as the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl and Kukulkan , since he is considered the main god of the Maya Yucatans.
See also
literature
- Hanns J. Prem , Ursula Dyckerhoff : Old Mexico . C. Bertelsmann, Munich 1986, ISBN 3-572-00851-4 . 264 f.
- Ermilo Abreu Gómez: Heroes Mayas. Zamná. Cocom . Canek. Mexico 1942 (Spanish)
- Übers. Ludwig Renn : Stories from the Maja Indians. Construction, Weimar 1948; Partial print: Jacinto Kaneck , again in The most beautiful stories in the world. House book of immortal prose. Preface by Thomas Mann . Kurt Desch, Munich 1956, Part 2, pp. 806 - 828
Web links
notes
- ↑ Zamná stands for Itzamna; this newer word is the god's name for Zamná