Popol Vuh (brief answers to questions)

Popol Vuh (brief answers to questions)

Describe the Mayan view of life and death?

The Mayan's view life as a journery through one world and death as a continuation of this journey through another world but with a possibility of rebirth to the original one. If you were an important figure in your family you would become a deity that acted as a patron for surviving family members. Mayan's would often bury their dead with money or maize so that they would have money or food to use with them on their journeys.

Explain how the virtues of avoiding excessive pride and respecting family are taught in the Popol Vuh?

Vritues of avoiding things such as excessive pride and respecting family are taught by tales. These tales use fictional characters who disobey certain rules and most of the time face bad consequence. For instance the tale fo the Skunks or the boy and his grandfather. Through these tales people are taught what is accepted behavior within the Mayan society.

What would you say is the significance of the ball game?

To put it simply the ball game was a representation of life. Playing ball engaged one in the maintenance of the cosmic order of the universe and the ritual regeneration of life. It was a game of chance, skill and trickery reflecting life. The team effort engaged individuals in shared behaviour and culture, introducing, reinforcing and reinventing the game of life and peoples’ place in the cosmic order.

What is the role of the trickster in Mayan mythology?

The trickster in Mayan mythology is a medium between the people and gods, they usually use some sort of cleverness to achieve goals in situations that usually have a positive outcome for the people. These stories are used to teach lessons to people, for instance the Hero Twins using their smarts and teaming together to beat the gods at the ball game.

What would you say is the significance of the Mayan calendar being a circle?

The significance of the Mayan calendar being circle is that it completely correlates...