Animals in the Mayan cosmovision

In the Mayan cosmovision, animals hold deep symbolic meaning, bridging the natural and spiritual worlds. Far more than mere creatures, animals are seen as sacred messengers, deities, and spirit guides. Each animal carries specific attributes and is often associated with gods, elements of nature, and cosmic cycles. Understanding the symbolism of animals in Mayan culture not only reveals the profound wisdom of this ancient civilization but also offers a glimpse into a worldview where nature and spirit are intimately intertwined.

The Mayan Population and their vision of life 

Educated at home and with a lot of knowledge, ancient Mayans participated in a lot of innovation, especially in mathematics, astronomy, and architecture. Their life was very simple; they lived thanks to what they had around them and traded with other populations if needed. Nowadays, this population still is polytheistic, naturalistic, dualistic, and ritualistic. That means that they believe in the existence of many gods that symbolize the good and the evil in human beings. To satisfy them, they organize many ceremonies and rituals, but nowadays these rituals and ceremonies are adapted to perform only prayers and chants.. That was and still is the way they communicate with gods and ask for rain, fertility of the land, and many other things. Many gods are represented by elements of nature and have many symbolic links with animals.

The animals that are living in the same area as the Mayans are very important for them. First, they represent a source of food and also raw material for clothes and jewelry, for example. They also serve to transport things in agriculture, to make medicine, and some are domesticated. But above all, according to the cosmovision of the Maya, animals are sacred. This population believes that the world is divided into 3 parts: the sky, where gods are living; the earthly world, where they are living; and the underworld, the world of death & regeneration. In this vision, the animals are messengers of gods and have the power to influence the life of the community. For the Mayans, they have magic power, and each one has its own significance.

Jaguar 

The Jaguar is one of the most important animals, which explains why many stories were told about her. In the Mayan language, Jaguar is “Balam”. She is a symbol of strength, courage, fertility, and protection. She is related to the night and the underworld (Xibalba) because she is a nocturnal animal. She is said to have the capacity to cross between the world of the living and the world of the dead. She can also communicate with gods and spirits, so she represents a spiritual guide. Furthermore, many stories were related to explain her special fur. Some are saying that the black spots are an illustration of the stars in the sky. While others are saying that those spots were due to a burn. Many powerful Mayan people, like kings or leaders, decided to wear the fur and the name of this animal as a mark of power.

Eagle

The eagle is another really important animal for the Mayans. He symbolizes the sun and celestial power. The eagle is an opposing force to the jaguar, and they are a form of cosmic duality. Therefore, they are often represented together to illustrate sacrifices. During sacrifices, the head and the heart were removed from the body of the sacrificed person. The eagle is illustrated eating the heart, which stands for the god accepting the offering. The jaguar is pictured eating the head; the head symbolizes the spirit, so this image is for the spirit going to the underworld. In addition, according to the Maya, the eagle can see the future and help people make decisions. He is also, like all the other animals presented here, a messenger of gods. 

Snake

The snake is also very important in the beliefs of the Maya. If you pay attention, you will see it in many monuments, drawings, and representations of gods. This animal represents knowledge. According to the Mayans, he has a connection with the underworld and is a messenger between gods and humans. He is also very important in medicine. In fact, Mayan people didn't use it directly but thought that he could give them medical knowledge. They mainly used herbs that were collected in sacred places where snakes were supposed to live. So they see him like an animal with the power of guidance, cure, and protection. And if you are visiting the region, you can notice his importance in the site of Chichen Itza. The temple of Kukulkan is built so that during every equinox, we can see a snake made of shadow and light on the stairs. In fact, one of the most significant gods in all of Mesoamerica is the feathered serpent, known as Kukulkan to the Maya and Quetzalcoatl to the Toltecs and Aztecs. He is represented by a snake and decorated with feathers. This ancient god symbolizes wisdom, wind, the union of the sky, the earth & the underworld represented in one deity, the combination of the masculine and feminine aspects in one and celestial transformation. So this monument is not only a calendar but also a temple to celebrate the god Kukulkan.

So, as you can understand, the snake is very important in our region.

Dog

These domestic animals are very respected, especially the Xoloitzcuintle, a dog without any fur. The ancient Mayan thought that he had the power to guide his owner in the underworld; for that reason, some people, particularly important people, were taking them into their tombs, so they sacrificed them, or some figurines were deposited in the tomb. A Mayan myth says that if a soul were mean to their dog, once in the underworld, the dog could refuse to guide its owner. They also believed that he had the capacity to protect the family and the house by chasing evil spirits.

Quetzal

The Quetzal bird symbolises beauty, connection between the land and the sky, and connection to the gods. Its vibrant green feathers are associated with the sky and the divine. Its feathers were highly prized and used in royal headdresses and ceremonial attire. The bird represented the life force of the forest, signifying harmony and nobility.

Turtle

The Turtle symbolises the earth, creation, fertility, and protection. It played a key role in the creation myths of the Maya. The Earth was believed to have formed on the back of a giant turtle. In art and cosmology, the turtle shell often represents the surface of the Earth, and the maize god is reborn from the cracked shell of a turtle in many creation scenes.

Frog

Frogs were closely tied to the rainy season and agricultural fertility, especially maize. Their croaking was believed to call the rain, and they were seen as magical creatures that could transform, linking them to both water and the underworld.

Owl 

Owls were often seen as harbingers of death or messages from the underworld. While feared, they were respected for their spiritual power. In Maya mythology, owls appear in the Popol Vuh as messengers and guardians of Xibalba.

The symbolic meaning of animals in the Mayan cosmovision underscores a worldview rooted in harmony, reverence, and interconnection. From the jaguar's power to the serpent's transformation, each creature represented forces far greater than themselves—guiding principles in Mayan spirituality and cosmology. Today, these symbols continue to inspire and inform cultural identity across Mesoamerica. By exploring the sacred role of animals in Maya belief systems, we gain not only historical insight but also a deeper appreciation for the enduring wisdom of indigenous worldviews.