What is the Itzamná?
Itzamná is also often represented as a two-headed underwater serpent, a caiman, or a mix of human and caiman characteristics. The reptilian Itzamná, which archaeologists sometimes refer to as the Terrestrial, Bicephalic, and/or Celestial Monster, is thought to represent what the Maya considered the reptilian structure of the universe.
Who is (Hun-) Itzamna?
Confirming Landa's description of the book ritual above, (Hun-)Itzamna is stated by Diego López de Cogolludo to have invented the priestly art of writing. According to this same author, Itzamna (now written Zamna) had been a sort of priest who divided the land of Yucatán and assigned names to all of its features.
Who is the moon goddess Itzamná?
The moon goddess Ixchel, patron of womanly crafts, was possibly a female manifestation of the god. Itzamná was also a culture hero who gave humankind writing and the calendar and was patron deity of medicine. ( See also Bacab .) This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen, Corrections Manager.
What is the main theme of the Itzamná?
One important theme that runs through the tales of Itzamná is creation and invention; the god creates processes and systems that can only be described as logical, methodical, and in some cases, scientific.
What is Itzamná the god of?
Itzamná, (Mayan: “Iguana House”) principal pre-Columbian Mayan deity, ruler of heaven, day, and night. He frequently appeared as four gods called Itzamnás, who encased the world.
What did Itzamná look like?
He wears a tall cylindrical headdress with a beaded mirror, a hat that often resembles a flower with a long outpouring stream. Itzamná is also often represented as a two-headed underwater serpent, a caiman, or a mix of human and caiman characteristics.
What did Itzamná create?
Itzamna was the god of fire who created the Earth. He was ruler of heaven as well as day and night. The Maya believed that he gave them the calendar and writing.
Is Itzamná a boy or girl?
More Itzamna FactsName(s):ItzamnaGender:MaleSymbols:Sacred animals:Bird, CaimanGreek Similar:Zeus2 more rows
Who is the god of L?
God L of the Schellhas-Zimmermann-Taube classification of codical gods is one of the major pre-Spanish Maya deities, specifically associated with trade. Characterized by high age, he is one of the Mam ('Grandfather') deities.
Who is the Mayan creator god?
ItzamnaItzamna (Mayan pronunciation: [it͡samˈna]) is, in Maya mythology, an upper god and creator deity thought to reside in the sky. Itzamna is one of the most important gods in the Classic and Postclassic Maya pantheon.
Was the movie Apocalypto based on a true story?
True, a movie is a fictional account that, in most cases, places the drama ahead of the historical verisimilitude. But the distorted story of the Maya is likely the only exposure a generation of moviegoers will get to the ancient civilization, and the film does the Maya a disservice.
Who was the Mayan god of death?
Cizin, also spelled Kisin, (Mayan: “Stinking One”), Mayan earthquake god and god of death, ruler of the subterranean land of the dead. He may possibly have been one aspect of a malevolent underworld deity who manifested himself under several names and guises (e.g., Ah Puch, Xibalba, and Yum Cimil).
Who is the oldest Mayan god?
Itzamna was among the oldest and most important gods in the Mayan religion. He was the son of the creator god Hunab Ku, and he was associated with the sun god Kinich Ahau (as well as the goddess Ix Chel). There are many stories and myths about Itzamna since he was considered a cultural hero by the Maya.
Who is the strongest Mayan god?
Itzamna was the most important Mayan god, despite usually being depicted as a large-nosed, toothless old man. But appearances can be deceptive. Itzamna is the god of fire and the son of the creator god Hunab Ku.
Who is Itzamná wife?
Ix ChelIx Chel is known as La Blanca and is one of the most important goddesses in the vast Maya Pantheon. She was wife to Itzamná, one of the most powerful gods.
What is Ix Chel the god of?
Ixchel, also spelled Ix Chel, Mayan moon goddess. Ixchel was the patroness of womanly crafts but was often depicted as an evil old woman and had unfavorable aspects.
What is Itzamna's power?
Itzamná's Power. Itzamna was a fantastic mythological being that embodied the opposites of our world (earth-sky, life-death, male-female, light-dark). According to Maya mythology, Itzamná was part of the supreme power couple, husband to the elder version of the goddess Ix Chel (Goddess O), and together they were parents of all the other gods. ...
What does itzamna mean in the Mayan language?
In the Mayan language, Itzamná means caiman, lizard, or large fish. The "Itz" part of his name means a number of things, among them "dew" or "stuff of the clouds" in Quechua; "divination or witchcraft" in Colonial Yucatec; and "foretell or contemplate", in the Nahuatl version of the word. As the supreme being he has several names, ...
Who is Nicoletta Maestri?
Nicoletta Maestri holds a Ph.D. in Mesoamerican archaeology with fieldwork experience in Italy, the Near East, and throughout Mesoamerica. our editorial process. Nicoletta Maestri. Updated March 14, 2018. Itzamná (pronounced Eetz-am-NAH and sometimes spelled Itzam Na), is one of the most important of the Mayan pantheon of gods, ...
Character Overview
Itzamná was one of the most important gods of Mayan mythology. The ruler of the heavens and of day and night, he was often shown in Mayan art as a pleasant, toothless old man with a large nose. He was also identified as the son of the creator god Hunab Ku (pronounced hoo-NAHB-koo).
Major Myths
In various myths, Itzamná appears as a culture hero who gave the Maya the foundations of civilization. According to legend, he taught them to grow corn, to write, to use calendars, and to practice medicine. He also introduced a system for dividing up the land, and he established rituals for religious worship.
Itzamná in Context
According to legend, one of Itzamná's greatest teachings to the Maya people was how to create calendars. The Maya used several different calendars, including a basic 260-day calendar, a 365-day calendar similar to the Gregorian calendar popular in the world today, and even a calendar that combined both into an enormous 52-year cycle.
Key Themes and Symbols
Itzamná represents wisdom and the transfer of knowledge. His wisdom is symbolized by his typical depiction as an old man. Unlike many Mayan gods, Itzamná also represented happiness, illustrated by his toothless smile.
Itzamná in Art, Literature, and Everyday Life
Itzamná appears in many of the Mayan documents created during and after the fall of the Mayan civilization, and also appears as a decorative figure on many Mayan structures. At the Maya archeological site of Palenque, for example, Itzamná appears on one of the existing temple platforms.
Read, Write, Think, Discuss
The Captive by Scott O'Dell (1979) is a historical novel set during the time of the Maya. The book centers on a young Spanish priest who works to end the enslavement of Central American tribes such as the Maya by Spanish explorers. O'Dell is also the author of the Newbery Medal-winning novel Island of the Blue Dolphins, first published in 1960.
Overview
Itzamna is the son of the Supreme Mayan deity. As the avatar of the sun god, he is the ruler of Heaven, day, and night. He is praised as a hero for introducing writing, religion, and land division to the people.
Appearance
Itzamna's appearance was a toothless old man with sunken cheeks and a very prominent nose.
Personality
Despite his appearance, Itzamna was a very powerful and benevolent deity.
History
Later on, the creator god Kukulkan took his place as his successor for the new chief god.
Myths and Legends
Occurring to early sources that variously connect, and sometimes identify, Itzamna with Hunab Ku (an invisible high god), Kinich Ahau (the sun deity), and Yaxcocahmut (a bird of omen).
Race (s)
Dragon (Shin Megami Tensei II, Shin Megami Tensei if..., Shin Megami Tensei: if... Hazama's Chapter)
Class
Itzamna (イツァムナー or イツァム・ナー, Itsamunā or Itsamu Nā)? is a demon in the series.
Shin Megami Tensei
"Origin: Mexico. He is the son of the supreme Mayan deity. As the avatar of the sun god, he is the ruler of heaven, day, and night. He is praised as a hero for introducing writing, religion, and land division to the people."
DemiKids Light & Dark
"With a body that glimmers like the sun, this demon is a sight to behold."
Character Overview
- Itzamná was one of the most important gods of Mayan mythology. The ruler of the heavens and of day and night, he was often shown in Mayan art as a pleasant, toothless old man with a large nose. He was also identified as the son of the creator god Hunab Ku (pronounced hoo-NAHB-koo). Itzamná is sometimes linked with the sun god Kinich Ahau (pronounce...
Major Myths
- In various myths, Itzamná appears as a culture hero who gave the Maya the foundations of civilization. According to legend, he taught them to grow corn, to write, to use calendars, and to practice medicine. He also introduced a system for dividing up the land, and he established rituals for religious worship.
Itzamná in Context
- According to legend, one of Itzamná's greatest teachings to the Maya people was how to create calendars. The Maya used several different calendars, including a basic 260-day calendar, a 365-day calendar similar to the Gregorian calendarpopular in the world today, and even a calendar that combined both into an enormous 52-year cycle. The Maya used calendars to determine the idea…
Key Themes and Symbols
- Itzamná represents wisdom and the transfer of knowledge. His wisdom is symbolized by his typical depiction as an old man. Unlike many Mayan gods, Itzamná also represented happiness, illustrated by his toothless smile. One important theme that runs through the tales of Itzamná is creation and invention; the god creates processes and systems that can only be described as lo…
Itzamná in Art, Literature, and Everyday Life
- Itzamná appears in many of the Mayan documents created during and after the fall of the Mayan civilization, and also appears as a decorative figure on many Mayan structures. At the Maya archeological site of Palenque, for example, Itzamná appears on one of the existing temple platforms. Although not well known outside Mayan mythology, Itzamná remains an important pa…
Read, Write, Think, Discuss
- The Captive by Scott O'Dell (1979) is a historical novel set during the time of the Maya. The book centers on a young Spanish priest who works to end the enslavement of Central American tribes such as the Maya by Spanish explorers. O'Dell is also the author of the Newbery Medal-winning novel Island of the Blue Dolphins, first published in 1960. SEE ALSO Mayan Mythology