Mitos y leyendas: Legend of the Origin of the World According to the Mayans

• Mitos y leyendas shares the legend of the origin of the world.
• According to the Mayans, it was gods called Tepeu, Gucumats, and Huracán who populated the earth with everything it now holds.
• Each being has a role in the cosmos and must be fully honored and respected.

In the dawn of time, the earth lay in a state of absolute emptiness, without men, animals, trees, or stones.

It was a desolate expanse without bounds, covered by waters extending in all directions.

Amidst this darkness dwelt the gods Tepeu, Gucumats, and Huracán.

In their silent abode, they conversed and reached an agreement on how to proceed. It was then that they conjured forth light, which for the first time illuminated the face of the earth.

The Origin of Nature

With the receding waters, fertile lands were revealed, ready to be cultivated, where trees and flowers sprouted profusely.

From the newly formed jungles arose soft fragrances, filling the air with delight.

The gods rejoiced in their work but deemed that the trees needed guardians and servants. So, upon the branches and amidst the trunks, they placed a variety of animals.

However, these creatures remained motionless until they received divine orders.

Roles

«Your destiny is to drink from the rivers,» they said to one. «You shall sleep in the caves,» they instructed another. «You shall walk on four legs and bear burdens upon your back,» they announced to another.

«And you, bird, shall dwell in the trees and fly without fear of falling,» they assigned to those with feathers.

With devotion, the animals obeyed the gods’ orders, fulfilling their purposes.

Undoubtedly, a fascinating story filled with marvelous details. Mitos y leyendas bids you farewell for now, hoping that the legend of the origin of the world according to the Mayans has pleased you. Until next time!