Picture Puzzle of Mayan Symbolism

How many symbols can you identify? There are 20 total and most of them have several meanings. This is not a black and white exercise, but rather one to ponder and expand on. What do YOU see? Feel free to add your interpretations in the comments!

What symbolism do you see? There are 20 (at least!)

As you are looking at the picture here, keep in mind that every single thing you see is symbolic of something Mayan. Some things are related to the sacred Tzolk'in calendar, some are related to Maya magic or ancient stories. So, dig deep. Really, everything can have multiple meanings, but they are all rooted in Maya symbolism.

After you take some time to really "see" the picture, scroll down and there you will find the answer key. I expanded on a few things, and I hope that sparks your interest! Some things are just fascinating....like the fish! Hmm..... what do they mean????

Are you ready to find out?

Here is the Answer Key!

1. The Rainbow: CHEL means rainbow in Yucatec Mayan. This is the Goddess of the Rainbow, Ixchel!

2. The Sun with the Glyph: Ahaw the sun god who is one of the days in the Tzolk’in sacred calendar and is also considered to Lord of Lords. The scrolls on the bottom of the glyph mean that it is breathing!

3. The Compass: This represents the 4 directions which are core to the teachings of the Maya.

4. The Bushes: There are 4 bunches of bushes that are all the same. This is for the number 4 which represents so MANY things, the 4 directions, the 4 Balames that hold up the earth, the 4 colors of the corn, the 4 spirit winds, stability...and more!

5. The Tree: This is the World Tree called YAXCHE in Yucatec Mayan. It connects the overworld, this world, and the underworld. It is where we find center. 

6. The Flowers: There are 20 flowers representing the 20 different days or Lords of the Days of the sacred Tzolk’in calendar. 

7. The Path: This path is white because it is not only EB the day of the PATH and our path in life, but it is also the SACBE, or the white road which runs all over the Yucatan connecting ancient cities.

8. Blue Morpho Butterfly: This is the spirit of the warrior ancestors that appears when you are in need of help. 

9. Of course, this is the ALUX: A Maya guardian created and brought to ife to protect land, homes, and people. 

10. Two Corn Stalks: Here we have several things. Ben, the Tzolk’in day of the Corn Stalk, also the corn stalks that were planted in the Popul Vuh to assure the grandmother that the Hero Twins were still alive in Xibalba, and the corn that is so central to life in the Yucatan.

11. The Snake: I love this one! It represents so MUCH! of course it is Chikchan the sacred day of the Snake or Feathered serpent in the Tzolk’in. It is also the star snake which is the milky way. In addition, it is the snake god, Kukulkan/Quetzalcoatl, and it is even the cenote serpent that will come out of the cenotes at the end of time, and it is the vision serpent! 

12. Two Fish: This is the symbol for cacao and for the 2 Hero Twins that descended into Xibalba to save their father. The Mayan glyph for cacao is two fish! It is a symbol related to the story of death and rebirth! (So powerful!)

13. The Owl with the Letter: This is the day of Kib in the Maya Tzolk’in calendar, but it is also one of the four owl messengers in the Popul Vuh who delivered messages for the Lords of Death in Xibalba. 

14. Two Lines with 3 Dots: This is the number 13 in the ancient Mayan writing system. The number 13 is super important and is used in rituals in the Yucatan today. It is the 13 days of the trecena in the Tzolk’in calendar, and it is the 13 levels of the Overworld. It is also the 13 major joints in the human body. 

15. Crocodile: Again, we find another Day God. This one is Imix, the Crocodile. In the Yucatan tradition, it is the first day of the calendar round. Crocodile is also the great mother and represents to World Tree. In some Maya art, the tree is depicted as a crocodile standing upright. The earth was created on the back of the crocodile. It is a wild and creative energy!

16. The Deer: This is Manik the Deer in the Tzolk’in calendar. It is also Sip, the Lord of the forest. The deer is sacred here in Yucatan and its four legs represent balance and all the fours of the Universe! (4 directions, 4 winds, 4 Balames who hod up the 4 corners of the earth, 4 colors, 4 messengers, and more!)

17. The Moon: This is another day on the calendar, the day of Muluk. The moon is also considered by some to be the domain of the goddess Ixchel. 

18. Eagle: Another Tzolk’in day, this is Men, the eagle who flies high and sees into the future.

19. The Night: This is another Day God, Ak’b’al. Mayan culture is very focused on duality and the night and day represent the duality of all things. Finding balance in this duality is the goal in life. The formal greeting in Yucatán is, “Bix a bel?” and it means, “How is your path?” This is the sacbe, the white path. It is your journey in finding balance, finding center, and finding your place in the Universe. 

20. Storm: This is Kawak, the Day of the Storm in the Tzolk’in. It is also Ixchel in her Crone form, pouring out storms on the earth It is enlightenment and cleansing, and it is the electrical energy that rises up the spine, the snake of lightning that some call the Kundalini!

So, how many symbols did you find? And do you have even more revelation on the symbols represented here? Share your insights and illuminations! We would love to hear them! You can share them in the comments below!

hugs and butterflies, 

laura