Mayan

The Maya civilization was a Mesoamerican culture that flourished in what is now Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras from about 2000 BCE to the 16th century CE. The Maya had a complex religious belief system that included a pantheon of gods and goddesses.

The Maya gods were divided into three main categories: gods of the sky, gods of the earth, and gods of the underworld. One of the most important gods was Itzamna, the creator god who was associated with the sky and the sun. Itzamna was also the god of wisdom and knowledge, and was often depicted as an elderly man with a long beard and a headdress of feathers.

Another important god was Kukulkan, also known as Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent. Kukulkan was associated with knowledge, learning, and the arts, and was often depicted as a serpent with feathers or as a human with a serpent's head.

The Maya also worshiped Chaac, the god of rain and agriculture. Chaac was associated with fertility and the life-giving power of water, and was often depicted as a serpent with fangs or as a fierce, jaguar-headed figure.

Other important gods included Ah Puch, the god of death and the underworld; Ix Chel, the goddess of the moon, childbirth, and weaving; and Chac Chel, the goddess of water and fertility.

The Maya believed that their gods and goddesses controlled the forces of nature, and they honored them through elaborate rituals and ceremonies. These rituals included offerings of food, drink, and blood, as well as prayer and dance.

The Maya also had a complex calendar system, which was based on a 260-day cycle and a 365-day cycle. These cycles were used to determine the timing of religious festivals and rituals, which were an important part of Maya society.

The Maya civilization declined in the 10th century CE, and many of their cities were abandoned. However, their cultural legacy lives on today, and their religious beliefs and practices continue to inspire and fascinate people around the world.