Download or read book Handbook of Mesoamerican Mythology written by Kay Almere Read and published by ABC-CLIO. This book was released on 2000-12-15 with total page 368 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Myths: tales of creation and destruction, death and rebirth, gods and heroes, the sacred origins of peoples, the forces of nature. Each society's mythology is unique, echoing throughout its arts and beliefs. Handbooks of World Mythology explore these mythologies in depth, offering insight into the complex interrelations of myth, history, and culture. Designed for general readers and students, each illustrated handbook offers: A lengthy overview that introduces the reader to the evolution of the culture's belief system; A chronology that clarifies the working and purpose of time and mythic time within the culture; A-to-Z entries that address major deities, characters, themes, rituals, and beliefs of the society in cultural context; Annotated bibliographies of introductory and scholarly publications, websites, fiction and poetry, and film; Glossary of cultural and mythological terms; Thorough subject index for fast and easy access to content; The dead entering the underworld on the backs of yellow dogs-turquoise snakes bursting into flames-gods creating humans from corn and water, Mesoamerican mythology is full of such fascinating events. This guide covers all of Mesoamerica from ancient times to the present, including the interweaving of mythology and Christianity within each culture. The book features: An introduction, providing background for the culture and placing the mythology in social and historical context; A discussion of time and how it functions historically and in mythology; An annotated bibliography, pointing the beginning researcher to the best print and nonprint sources on the topic. An ideal introduction to the subject, the handbook explores how the Mesoamerican peoples shaped their myths according to their geographical, historical, and social milieus. Critically acclaimed introduction of broad scope to the myths of Mesoamerica from ancient times to the present. An introduction and reference for students, teachers, and general readers, focusing on pre-conquest Mexican highland and Maya areas, with small forays into Oaxaca and other nearby locations. Read (religious studies, DePaul U.) and Maya archaeologist Gonzalez examine Mesoamerican mythmakers and cultural history; mythic timelines; deities, themes, and concepts; and annotated print and nonprint resources.
Download or read book Mesoamerican Mythology written by Kay Almere Read and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2002-06-13 with total page 354 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Illustrated with scores of drawings and halftone photos, this guidebook to the mythology of Mexico and Central America focuses mainly on Mexican Highland and Maya areas, due to their importance in Mesoamerican history.
Download or read book Mesoamerican Mythology written by Matt Clayton and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2019-04-15 with total page 324 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: If you're looking for a captivating collection of Inca Myths, then keep reading... This book includes four captivating manuscripts: Maya Mythology: Captivating Maya Myths of Gods, Goddesses and Legendary Creatures Aztec Mythology: Captivating Aztec Myths of Gods, Goddesses, and Legendary Creatures Inca Mythology: Captivating Inca Myths of Gods, Goddesses, and Legendary Creatures Central American Mythology: Captivating Myths of Gods, Goddesses, and Legendary Creatures of Ancient Mexico and Central America In the first part of this book, you'll find the following Maya myths and topics covered Two Creation Myths The Downfall of Seven Macaw The Boyhood Deeds of Hunahpu and Xbalanque Ballgames in Xibalba The Deaths and Resurrections of Hunahpu and Xbalanque The Man Who Became a Buzzard How the Sun and Moon Became Man and Wife Rabbit Gets His Drink And many more! In the second part of this book, you'll find the following Aztec myths and topics covered The Legend of the Suns The Deeds of Mixcoatl The Origin of Maize and the Creation of Pulque The Fall of Xochiquetzal The Fate of Souls Huitzilopochtli and the Founding of Tenochtitlan Huemac Plays the Ball Game And many more! In the third part of this book, you'll find the following Inca myths and topics covered Stories of the Gods Inca Political Myths Five Andean Folktales and an Inca Play And much, much more! In the fourth part of this book, you'll find the following Central American myths and topics covered Olocupinele Creates the World (Dule/Cuna, Panama) Watakame' and the Great Flood (Wixáritari/Huichol, Mexico) Yomomuli and the Talking Tree (Yoeme/Yaqui, Mexico) How the Sea Was Made (Cabécar, Costa Rica) Mother Scorpion's Country (Miskito, Nicaragua) The Childhood of the Sun and the Moon (qne-a tnya-e/Chatino, Mexico) The Invisible Hunters (Miskito, Nicaragua) The King of the Peccaries (Bribri, Costa Rica) How Opossum Stole Fire (Mazatec, Mexico) Uncle Rabbit and Uncle Tiger (Nicaragua) And much, much more! So if you want to learn more about these four mythologies, click "buy now"!
Download or read book Mesoamerican Mythology written by Simon Lopez and published by . This book was released on 2019-04-11 with total page 129 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Do you know that the Mayans believed that the Earth was flat with four poles supporting the sky? Or that the Inca Emperors were thought to be the direct descendant of the sun god himself? The early Mesoamericans were a mysterious bunch. In this book we will dive deep into their world of Myths and captivating stories of the creation of the world, adventures of heroes and even love stories between goddess and mortal. Some of the stories in this book are: Classic Mayan Myths including: the Great Giants of the Earth the Defeat of the Great Crocodile the Origin of the Maize and People the Hummingbird Suitor and More Fascinating Incan Myths including: Myth of Creation the Flooding of the New World the Shepherd and the daughter of the Sun the Rod of Gold and more Captivating Aztec Myths including: Origin of Heaven and Earth the Birth of Huitzilopochtli the Restoration of the Sky and Earth the Creation of the Fifth Sun and more Get this book and indulge yourself in the fascinating world of the Ancient Mesoamerican Mythology today!
Download or read book Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns written by Duncan Tonatiuh and published by Abrams. This book was released on 2020-09-01 with total page 40 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings an ancient Mesoamerican creation myth to life Long ago, the gods of Mesoamerica set out to create humans. They tried many times during each sun, or age. When all their attempts failed and the gods grew tired, only one did not give up: Quetzalcóatl—the Feathered Serpent. To continue, he first had to retrieve the sacred bones of creation guarded by Mictlantecuhtli, lord of the underworld. Gathering his staff, shield, cloak, and shell ornament for good luck, Feathered Serpent embarked on the dangerous quest to create humankind. Award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings to life the story of Feathered Serpent, one of the most important deities in ancient Mesoamerica. With his instantly recognizable, acclaimed art style and grand storytelling, Tonatiuh recounts a thrilling creation tale of epic proportions.
Download or read book Art and Myth of the Ancient Maya written by Oswaldo Chinchilla Mazariegos and published by Yale University Press. This book was released on 2017-04-25 with total page 303 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This nuanced account explores Maya mythology through the lens of art, text, and culture. It offers an important reexamination of the mid-16th-century Popol Vuh, long considered an authoritative text, which is better understood as one among many crucial sources for the interpretation of ancient Maya art and myth. Using materials gathered across Mesoamerica, Oswaldo Chinchilla Mazariegos bridges the gap between written texts and artistic representations, identifying key mythical subjects and uncovering their variations in narratives and visual depictions. Central characters—including a secluded young goddess, a malevolent grandmother, a dead father, and the young gods who became the sun and the moon—are identified in pottery, sculpture, mural painting, and hieroglyphic inscriptions. Highlighting such previously overlooked topics as sexuality and generational struggles, this beautifully illustrated book paves the way for a new understanding of Maya myths and their lavish expression in ancient art.
Download or read book History and Mythology of the Aztecs written by and published by University of Arizona Press. This book was released on 1998-06-01 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: One of the great documents of colonial Mexico, the Codex Chimalpopoca chronicles the rise of Aztec civilization and preserves the mythology on which it was based. Its two complementary texts, Annals of Cuauhtitlan and Legend of the Suns, record the pre-CortŽsian history of the Valley of Mexico together with firsthand versions of that region's myths. Of particular interest are the stories of the hero-god Quetzalcoatl, for which the Chimalpopoca is the premier source. John Bierhorst's work is the first major scholarship on the Codex Chimalpopoca in more than forty years. His is the first edition in English and the first in any language to include the complete text of the Legend of the Suns. The precise, readable translation not only contributes to the study of Aztec history and literature but also makes the codex an indispensable reference for Aztec cultural topics, including land tenure, statecraft, the role of women, the tribute system, warfare, and human sacrifice.
Download or read book The Mesoamerican Ballgame written by Vernon L. Scarborough and published by University of Arizona Press. This book was released on 1993-01-01 with total page 426 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Precolumbian ballgame, played on a masonry court, has long intrigued scholars because of the magnificence of its archaeological remains. From its lowland Maya origins it spread throughout the Aztec empire, where the game was so popular that sixteen thousand rubber balls were imported annually into Tenochtitlan. It endured for two thousand years, spreading as far as to what is now southern Arizona. This new collection of essays brings together research from field archaeology, mythology, and Maya hieroglyphic studies to illuminate this important yet puzzling aspect of Native American culture. The authors demonstrate that the game was more than a spectator sport; serving social, political, mythological, and cosmological functions, it celebrated both fertility and the afterlife, war and peace, and became an evolving institution functioning in part to resolve conflict within and between groups. The contributors provide complete coverage of the archaeological, sociopolitical, iconographic, and ideological aspects of the game, and offer new information on the distribution of ballcourts, new interpretations of mural art, and newly perceived relations of the game with material in the Popol Vuh. With its scholarly attention to a subject that will fascinate even general readers, The Mesoamerican Ballgame is a major contribution to the study of the mental life and outlook of New World peoples.
Download or read book Myths of Ancient Mexico written by Michel Graulich and published by . This book was released on 1997 with total page 370 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Innovative study, drawing on extensive ethnohistorical and ethnographical materials, of the mythology of the Toltecs and the Aztecs, with broader Mesoamerican comparisons, including the Popol Vuh of the Quichâe Maya. Finds recurring themes in origin stories of light and darkness, sacrifice, expulsion and wanderings, and arrival in a Promised Land. Analysis includes considerations of myth vs. history"--Handbook of Latin American Studies, v. 58.
Download or read book The Myths of the Opossum written by Alfredo López Austin and published by . This book was released on 2011-01-30 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Published in 1990 under the title Los mitos del tlacuache, this is the first major theoretical study of Mesoamerican mythology by one of the foremost scholars of Aztec ideology. Using the myth cycle of the opossum and the theft of fire from the gods as a touchstone, López Austin constructs a definition of myth that pertains to all of Mesoamerican culture, challenging the notion that to be relevant such studies must occur within a specific culture. Shown here is that much of modern mythology has ancient roots, despite syncretism with Christianity, and can be used to elucidate the pre-Columbian world view. Analysis of pre-Columbian myths can also be used to understand current indigenous myths. Subtopics include the hero and his place in the Mesoamerican pantheon, divine space and human space, mythic event clusters, myth as truth, and the fusion of myth and history.
Download or read book Mesoamerican Writing Systems written by Joyce Marcus and published by . This book was released on 1992 with total page 495 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: She convincingly demonstrates that while it may have been based on actual persons and events, this body of prehistoric writing is a deliberately created tangle of what we could call propaganda, myth, and fact, written for political purposes, and not (as many contemporary scholars have come to believe) reliable history in a modern sense.
Download or read book Quetzalcoatl written by Ernesto Novato and published by . This book was released on 2019-07-03 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: *Includes pictures *Includes a bibliography for further reading Gilgamesh, Hercules, Aeneas, and Lancelot are instantly recognized as mythological heroes in the West, evoking visions of Persian monsters, ghastly labors, and the founding and glorification of cities, but the name Quetzalcoatl is as mysterious as its spelling. Even those who have come across his name when learning about the history of Mesoamerica - particularly the Aztec and the god's role in the Spanish conquest of their empire - are often unaware that the Mesoamerican deity has tales that equal any of those in the repertoire of the mythological figures mentioned above, and the tale of his transmission into modern times is no less fascinating. As archaeologists quickly learned, there are numerous temples dedicated to Quetzalcoatl all across Mesoamerica. From the Aztec to the Maya, Quetzalcoatl - the Feathered Serpent - rears his beautiful head from magnificent relief carvings in temples no less grandiose than the largest pyramid in the region, that of Cholula in Mexico. Furthermore, thousands of people still gather in the great Mayan city of Chichén Itzá during the spring and autumn equinoxes to watch the shadow of the Feathered Serpent slither its way down the temple known as El Castillo. Worship of the Feathered Serpent can be traced back 2,000 years, and the Serpent's cults appear all across Mesoamerica. The Olmec, the Aztec, and both the Yucatec and K'iche Mayans all had different names for this deity, including Kukulkan, Q'uq'umatz, and Tohil, but his iconography is curiously consistent over several centuries across the region. Depending on who was worshipping him, the Feathered Serpent was a creator-god, the god of the winds, the god of the rains, or merely a near-divine ancestor whose militaristic ways won his followers land and riches before he was eventually marred by lavishness and iniquity, resulting in his demise. To some of the invading Spanish conquistadores, Quetzalcoatl was little more than another demon the "natives" had been worshipping before they were kind enough to bring God to the New World. To others, however, Quetzalcoatl was precisely evidence of the spread of Christianity reaching Mesoamerica long before the conquistadores ever arrived. Much of what modern scholars depend on to understand Quetzalcoatl, however, comes from the period of the Spanish invasion of Mesoamerica, and therefore stories of his blowing the sun across the sky have become mixed with those linking him with Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, this makes for a fascinating picture of a deity whose image has been shaped by some of the most famous civilizations in history and continues to be adopted by people today, often for more than spiritual purposes (as is evident in the adoption of Quetzalcoatl imagery in Mexico's struggle for independence). As a result, Quetzalcoatl was and remains one of the most interesting and enlightening stories ever to have come out of any civilization, and his stories offer a better understanding of the Mesoamerican world. Quetzalcoatl: The History and Legacy of the Feathered Serpent God in Mesoamerican Mythology examines the origins of the deity and his place in the pantheon of gods. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Quetzalcoatl like never before.
Download or read book The Popol Vuh written by Lewis Spence and published by New York : AMS Press. This book was released on 1908 with total page 80 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Mesoamerican History Mythology Aztec Inca Maya Toltec Zapotec Central American Myths Legends Mysteries History Uncovered written by History Brought Alive and published by History Brought Alive. This book was released on 101-01-01 with total page 102 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The history of Mesoamerica is rich, complex, and filled with mystery But for too long it has been misrepresented, misunderstood, and overlooked. Embark on a Journey of Discovery through Mesoamerican History, Culture, Mythology, and Beyond But be warned, this book is not for the faint of heart. Inside you'll gain insight into rituals, sacrifices, and societal structures that may challenge your preconceived notions…Nevertheless, if you can handle it, reading it will be an eye-opening experience that leaves you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the rich heritage of Mesoamerica. We'll educate you about the Olmec civilization, the Zapotecs, the Mayans, the Aztecs, the Incas, and more. You'll discover their communication with the spirit world, their religion, architecture, agriculture, medicine, society and history. All of this and much more including: Timeline of Mesoamerican History, Major Periods & Civilizations The Spanish Conquest - Hernán Cortés & the Fall of the Aztecs The 2012 Apocalypse Myth + Mayan Astronomy Uncovered Myths, Creation Stories & Tales including The Popol Vuh, The Creation of the World and many more Tracing the Cultural and Religious Importance of Chocolate from Ancient Mesoamerican Civilizations to Modern Times Exploring the Impact of Indigenous Peoples on Architecture, Agriculture, and Medicine. The Marvels of Machu Picchu & How the Incan Empire Came to Be Unveiling the Aztecs' Expertise in Warfare: Insights into the Life of Aztec Soldiers and their Preparations for Battle. How the Zapatista Movement in Mexico is Empowering Indigenous Voices and Transforming Education in the Modern World. And much, much more… Whether you're a history enthusiast or a curious reader...inside you will discover all you need to know about the true story of Mesoamerican History & Mythology. So if you want to find out more then this is The Book for You.
Download or read book Aztec and Maya Myths written by Karl Taube and published by University of Texas Press. This book was released on 1993 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The myths of the Aztec and Maya derive from a shared Mesoamerican cultural tradition. This is very much a living tradition, and many of the motifs and gods mentioned in early sources are still evoked in the lore of contemporary Mexico and Guatemala. Professor Taube discusses the different sources for Aztec and Maya myths. The Aztec empire began less than 200 years before the Spanish conquest, and our knowledge of their mythology derives primarily from native colonial documents and manuscripts commissioned by the Spanish. The Maya mythology is far older, and our knowledge of it comes mainly from native manuscripts of the Classic period, over 600 years before the Spanish conquest. Drawing on these sources as well as nineteenth- and twentieth-century excavations and research, including the interpretation of the codices and the decipherment of Maya hieroglyphic writing, the author discusses, among other things, the Popol Vuh myths of the Maya, the flood myth of Northern Yucatan, and the Aztec creation myths.
Download or read book Landscape And Power In Ancient Mesoamerica written by Rex Koontz and published by Westview Press. This book was released on 2001-05-03 with total page 418 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The authors of this volume investigate the meaning of Ancient Mesoamerican space, specifically, how the elements of urban landscape were related to each other, and to other fundamental aspects of Ancient Mesoamericans. Essays in this volume highlight the importance of performance, poetics, and politics in the construction of meaningful space and its deployment in performance.
Download or read book Understanding Mesoamerican Myths written by Natalie Hyde and published by Myths Understood (Crabtree). This book was released on 2013 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Introduces the mythology of the Mayans and Aztecs.
