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Re: Belize City & San Pedro, Belize
Mayan Temple...(those real-like fires, i.e. they were not real, made it feel really hot in the confined space.) Here Mayan godkings made offerings to their ancestors in front of their communities, legitimizing their right as divine rulers.
Using a stingray spine or obsidian blade, the ruler would take his penis in his hands and puncture the foreskin, collecting blood from the wounds on paper that would then be burned with incense on top of his temple. As the spoke rose up from his burnt offerings, in his entranced state, he would commune back to his ancestors, asking them for guidance as the harmony and balance of the universe flowed through him from the temple-pyramid and into his community gathered on the plaza in front of him.
I wonder how many times a year did he have to mutilate himself? [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70402-thinking.gif[/img]
Mayan Kings were supreme, by virtue of their divine right. They demanded work tribute from their subjects and sometimes human sacrifice to appease the gods. Kings were invariably cruel to their enemies, but heaped honors on their warriors.
A skull rack. Here the godking placed the shrunken heads of his enemies to dry in the sun, a way of sending powerful messages to rulers from nearby communities. Skulls were also used as a talisman (good luck charm) attached to his waistband. Those godrulers must have been some really bad dudes.
A Maya ruler prepared for his journey to the underworld.
Mayan Temple...(those real-like fires, i.e. they were not real, made it feel really hot in the confined space.) Here Mayan godkings made offerings to their ancestors in front of their communities, legitimizing their right as divine rulers.
Using a stingray spine or obsidian blade, the ruler would take his penis in his hands and puncture the foreskin, collecting blood from the wounds on paper that would then be burned with incense on top of his temple. As the spoke rose up from his burnt offerings, in his entranced state, he would commune back to his ancestors, asking them for guidance as the harmony and balance of the universe flowed through him from the temple-pyramid and into his community gathered on the plaza in front of him.
I wonder how many times a year did he have to mutilate himself? [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70402-thinking.gif[/img]
Mayan Kings were supreme, by virtue of their divine right. They demanded work tribute from their subjects and sometimes human sacrifice to appease the gods. Kings were invariably cruel to their enemies, but heaped honors on their warriors.
A skull rack. Here the godking placed the shrunken heads of his enemies to dry in the sun, a way of sending powerful messages to rulers from nearby communities. Skulls were also used as a talisman (good luck charm) attached to his waistband. Those godrulers must have been some really bad dudes.
A Maya ruler prepared for his journey to the underworld.
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