Discover the world of Maya gods as they appear in the ancient manuscripts. This revised edition presents a clear, descriptive study of the deities depicted in the Dresden, Madrid, and Paris Maya codices. Learn how scholars identify and compare these figures to reveal the Maya calendar, myth, and ritual life, with careful attention to what can be derived directly from the manuscripts.
Structured for quick understanding, the book focuses on the main gods, their symbols, and how they recur across the three manuscripts. It emphasizes a cautious, evidence-based approach, avoiding unfounded theories while presenting the material clearly with plates and text illustrations.
- Grounded descriptions of key deities and their iconography, including the death-god and maize-god
- How the manuscripts convey the Maya calendar, myth, and ritual through imagery and hieroglyphs
- Comparisons across the Dresden, Madrid, and Paris codices to show consistent mythological concepts
- Illustrated plates that illuminate the figures discussed and their symbolic meanings
Ideal for readers of ancient American civilizations, Maya studies, and hieroglyphic scholarship seeking a careful, descriptive introduction to Maya deities as they appear in the surviving manuscripts.