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Eccentric flint depicting a canoe with passengers

Maya

Not on view

Filled with marvelous mythical beings, this canoe and the example at far right transport reptilian creatures at the prow and stern, each joined by one of the major gods at the center. K’awiil, the lightning god, rides on the flat canoe, whereas the Maize God is shown on the curved flint boat. The saga of the Maize God includes a watery transit through death before his triumphal rebirth.

Pedernal excéntrico con una canoa y pasajeros
Tierras Bajas mayas
Siglo VII al IX
Pedernal




La canoa del centro, llena de seres míticos maravillosos, y la que se muestra en el extremo derecho, llevan en la proa y en la popa criaturas reptilianas vinculadas a los dioses mayores que están en el centro. K’awiil, el dios del rayo, viaja en la canoa plana y el dios del maíz ocupa la barca curva. Las aventuras de esta deidad incluyen un viaje por agua en su tránsito por la muerte hacia el renacimiento triunfal.

Eccentric flint depicting a canoe with passengers, Chert, Maya

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Photograph © The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Thomas R. DuBrock