The Popol Vuh: The Ancient Mayan Religion

Centuries ago, there existed a religion, one with no true name, human sacrifices, games where participants are highly likely to die, and Gods found in almost every aspect of daily life. This was the ancient Mayan religion. Although some beliefs, values, and minor traditions are still upheld by followers today, for the most part this religion has completely vanished along with the ancient mayan civilization. This may be for good reason, as some of the practices were barbarous and bordering on pure insanity. Through the madness, there were three very important aspects of this religion that guided the mayans; There holy book, the Popol Vuh, There gods, present almost everywhere and all the time, and their belief in the afterlife, which kept them on the correct path through the suffering and monotonicity of life.
In the Popol Vuh there is the story of creation, where two creator gods, Gucumats and Tepeu created land from a world of sea, and populate it with animals. After a short time period, they realised the animals could not speak, nor worship, therefore, they created humans (dhwty). The Popol Vuh also tells the story of how two twins established order by defeating forces of darkness and death. The holy book was interpreted by ancient mayans as the way things could’ve been or still could be, not tails or truths revealed to people omnipotent gods like a traditional Bible. The Popol Vuh also describes how life is a never ending cycle of death and rebirth (Mark). This book allowed people to shape their own future and create their own thinking. The Popol Vuh helped guide many people through chaos and