God L facts for kids
God L is an important ancient Maya god. He is often linked to trade and travel. People sometimes called him a 'Grandfather' god because he looked very old.
You can spot God L by his special features. He often has jaguar ears and wears a big, feathery hat with an owl on top. He also wears a cape that looks like a jaguar's skin or an armadillo's shell. One of the most famous pictures of God L is found in the ancient city of Palenque, on a doorway in the Temple of the Cross.
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What's in a Name?
The main symbol for God L's name in the ancient Maya book called the Dresden Codex is the head of an old man painted black. We don't know exactly how to say his name. Some people think it might have been Ekʼ Chuah, which was another name for a god of merchants.
What God L Does
God L had several important roles in Maya beliefs. His actions and the things he is shown with tell us a lot about what he represented.
God of Wealth and Trade
God L is often shown with a bundle of goods, like a traveling merchant. He also carries a walking stick, which shows he traveled a lot. Sometimes, the ends of his clothes even have little footprints, pointing to his journeys.
His wealth might have come from special crops like cacao, which was very valuable to the Maya. In some ancient artworks, God L is seen with maize (corn) stalks and cacao trees. He also seems to be connected to women, as he is sometimes shown surrounded by young women.
Magic and Night Powers
God L often smokes a cigar. This might show that he used magic to protect merchants on their long journeys. Or, it could mean he was a shaman, a person who could connect with the spirit world.
The owl on his hat is a sign of the underworld and night. In some ancient cultures, owls were linked to sorcerers. The jaguar, another animal linked to God L, also represents the night and the underworld.
War and Protection
Because of his jaguar and owl connections, God L was also linked to magic, violence, and even warfare. In some ancient texts, he is shown as the planet Venus rising from the underworld, throwing spears at his enemies.
One famous image shows a captured person, possibly a king, being killed in front of God L's jaguar palace. This suggests his connection to war. In Palenque, God L is shown helping to hold up a sacred shield and spears, which were symbols of the kings.
Connections to Other Gods
God L was part of a larger group of Maya gods and often appeared with others.
- God M: Another important merchant god, God M, is often seen as a partner to God L. God M is also black, like God L's symbol.
- Ek Chuah: This was a Maya merchant god known for cacao. Some scholars think Ek Chuah might be another name for God L, or perhaps God M.
- Bolon-Yokte: God L and God M are sometimes grouped with a god named Bolon-Yokte. Together, they might represent the idea of travel and movement through time and space.
- God K: God L is often shown with God K, who was a lightning deity and brought good harvests. Sometimes, God L even carries a baby God K.
- Itzamna: Some people believe God L was the underworld version of Itzamna, who was the most powerful Maya god.
Special Rituals
In the Dresden Codex, there are pictures of special stone pillars called acantun. These pillars were honored during the five unlucky and dangerous days at the end of the Maya year. They were often decorated with God L's cape and loincloth, which had footprint patterns on them.
Stories About God L
Ancient Maya pottery shows stories about God L. These stories often focus on his owl hat, cape, and staff. Other important figures like the Maya moon goddess, the rabbit, the Maya maize god, and the Maya Hero Twins appear in these stories. In one story, even Chaac, the Rain Deity, is involved.
Because of these stories, some people think God L was one of the main lords of the underworld, a place the Maya called Xibalba.
God L Today
Some people believe that God L is similar to a modern-day Maya deity named Maximón. Maximón is a cigar-smoking 'Grandfather' figure who is very important to the Tzʼutujil Maya people. He is also linked to long-distance travel, magic, and jaguars. People especially honor Maximón during the last days of Holy Week, and his clothes are very important in his worship.
