The Popol Vuh: Creation and Hero Twins

Introduction to the Maya Story of Creation

• Background: Sacred stories of the Maya people before Christ's time.
• Medium: Illustrations on Padre paper, found in graves and used to guide the dead in the underworld.
• Name: Known as the Popol Vuh of the K'iche' Maya.

Creation Story

• Opening: “There was not yet one person, one deer, bird, fish, tree…”
• Deities: Heart of Sky and Heart of Earth, grandmother Xmucane and grandfather Xpiyacoc.
• **Attempts at Creation: **
  • First attempt failed; beings were unintelligent.
  • Second attempt involved wooden people who had no hearts or minds, abused nature, and were destroyed.
  • Those who escaped the flood became monkeys.

Birth of Hero Twins

• Characters: Hunter and Jaguar, progeny of the hero twins.
• Antagonists: Lords of Xibalba, including One Death and Seven Death.
• Conflict: The fathers were humiliated and sacrificed. Hunter's head sprouted on a tree, leading to further trials.

Trials of Little Blood

• Character: Little Blood, a maiden who hears about the miraculous tree.
• Event: Gave birth to hero twins, tricked Lords of Darkness by escaping with the help of owls.

Hero Twins' Childhood and Challenges

• Names: Hunter and Jaguar Deer.
• Rivals: One Howler and One Monkey, who were punished for arrogance.
• Magic: Twins used trickery and magic to prepare their fields and achieve victories.

Trials and Battles in Xibalba

• Games: Encountering deadly houses - House of Darkness, House of Knives, House of Jaguars, House of Fire, etc.
• Strategic Plays: Twins used cleverness to survive each trial and tricked lords repeatedly.
• Defeating Enemies: Trickery involving fake heads, animals aiding the twins, and eventual success in trials.

Self-Sacrifice and Rebirth

• Final Plan: Twins embraced death by fire, bones cast into the river.
• Rebirth: Re-emerged as fishmen, then transformed into old beggars.
• Dance and Performance: Won favor with Lords by performing miraculous acts, led to their ultimate defeat.

Conclusion: Ascension and Legacy

• Revelation: Twins reveal their true identity, avenge their fathers.
• Transformation: One twin became the sun, the other the moon, illuminating heaven and earth.

Important Themes

• Creation and Destruction: Cyclical attempts at creation, destruction of those who fail to respect the creator.
• Resilience and Cleverness: Twins show superior intelligence and adaptability.
• Rebirth and Transformation: Death and resurrection as pivotal elements.