The Maya cosmos was formed by nine of thirteen heavens and hells. The heavens were divided into horizontal layers, one above the other, they lived in certain deities, and were supported by four of the (i Bacab) near the cardinal points that were related colors.
Most of the Maya was in groups of four, precisely in connection with the sides of the world. The gods could have both positive and negative aspects, but both (for example, were both benevolent and malevolent Chac: sent the rain but also hail or excessive moisture that destroyed the corn), could also change their residence and thus be considered the god of heaven or god of the underworld. Their appearance could be a mixture of human and plant or animal of the human form with only were rare.
Among the most important celestial deities the Mayans had the sun and the moon to which they had many legends. The sun was the patron saint of music and poetry, the moon was the goddess of weaving and fertility.
Itzamna was at the top of the Mayan pantheon, was symbolized by a cross-eyed old man with a body of a lizard. Inventor of writing, were grateful for the donated food and medical science. He precedence over the other deities, each of which was the protector of a sphere of life or a profession: there was the god of travelers, traders, warriors, the fisherman and many other activities.
Chac, the god of lies, was an old man with the long nose and eyes T-shaped to symbolize the tears that in turn draw water. Being a benevolent deity who is malevolent, it was necessary propiziarselo with rituals and sacrifices, even human.
was also called "water" because it was thought that keeping the water in a pumpkin and sprinkle with time to time upon the earth reversing the pumpkin the world has suffered flooding.
Kaax Yum, the god of wheat, was represented with a youthful appearance and a plant with flowers in hand.
Among the gods there is the agricultural land and particularly the god of corn and vegetation in general, which was represented by a corn plant that grew on his head.
not only agricultural products had a protective deity, but also the highest peaks, springs, rivers and the confluence of various aspects of nature, taking on a religious character and were the object of worship.
The Jaguar god was also a very important deity nel sistema maya; simbolo di potenza, a causa delle abitudini notturne e delle macchie sul mantello, era associato all’oscurità ed era diventato, nella mitologia, il sole nascosto dalla notte.
I Maya credevano anche a molte divinità malefiche a cui facevano risalire gli eventi negativi come ad esempio la malattia, il dolore, la morte o la carestia.
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