Xibalba

Xibalba [ ʃɨbʊlbə ] means in the Mayan languages ​​" place of fear ". In Maya mythology Xibalba was the nine-stage underworld, the lowest level of the tripartite cosmos and not to be equated with hell, the afterlife of various Christian and other religious communities and cultures. In Xibalbá tarried according to the beliefs of the Mayan Tree until they were allowed to leave this place after passing the examinations, struggles and sufferings imposed. Suicides, sacrificed and women who died in childbirth, went directly to the gods.

The gods of Xibalba

Xibalba was called in faith to the Maya of various gods of the underworld, also men dominated. There were many animals and hybrid beings who were there.

The top two Lords of Xibalba were:

• Hun Came ( "one death " )
• Vucub Came ( "Seven - death " )

They were followed by ten other gods, they were:

• Xiquiripat ( " A designed sling inspire " )
• Cuchumaquic ( " crush the vulture " )
• Ahalpuh ( " bringers of the pus " )
• Ahalcana ( " bringers of jaundice " )
• Chamiabac ( " bone bar " )
• Chamiaholom ( " Skull Staff " )
• Quicxic ( " blood feather" )
• Patan ( "polluter of loads or charges " )
• Quicre ( " blood is his tooth" )
• Quicrixcac ( "Blood is his claw " )

Myths

In the "Book of the Council " of the Quiché, the Popol Vuh, the story of the young hero brothers Hunahpu and Xbalanque is told that descended into the underworld Xibalba. There they were challenged by the gods of the underworld to a ball game. They were the gods in this game and defeat would rise as the gods "sun" and "moon " in the sky.

Generally for the Mayan caves presented the entrance to Xibalba dar. In many caves on the Yucatan Peninsula remains have been found of offerings. Even today, ceremonies are held in honor of the ancestors and the gods of Xibalba in some caves. In the 16th century Verapaz, was held a cave near Coban in Guatemala, as the entrance to Xibalba.

In some maya African folk tales is the Orion Nebula, the physical location of Xibalba.

The Mayan calendar had only 360 days. The remaining five days were called " unlucky days ". During these five days, the doors should open to the underworld.

Others

In his film The Fountain director Darren Aronofsky accesses the maya African myth of Xibalba, to tell a story about the themes of death and rebirth. In the eighth installment of the computer game Tomb Raider is about Xibalba. In the animated film The Road to El Dorado is a waterfall that pours into a rock cave, declared to the entrance Xibalbás.