Mayan Mythology
The Mayan Mythology Book: Hunahpu, Xbalanque, Kukulkan and the Sacred Stories of the Rainforest Mathematicians
The Popol Vuh, Xibalba, and the Cosmos Calculated in 13s and 20s
The Hero Twins descend to Xibalba. Kukulkan returns at equinox. Itzamna writes the first books. The complete mythology of the Maya who calculated the cosmos and left us the Popol Vuh.
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Inside this book
What you will read
- 11 chapters, primary sources
- Instant PDF download
- Original ink illustrations
- Inline citations to original texts
- Designed for print quality
See all chapters +
- 01The Three Creations and the Maize People
- 02Itzamna, Ix Chel, and the First Gods
- 03The 13 Heavens and the 9 Underworlds
- 04Hunahpu and Xbalanque: The Hero Twins
- 05The Ballgame in Xibalba and the Defeat of Death
- 06Kukulkan and the Feathered Serpent's Return
- 07The Sacred Calendar: 260 Days and the Tzolk'in
- 08The Popol Vuh and the Book of Dawn
- 09The Dresden Codex and the Venus Tables
- 10King Pakal's Tomb and the Journey to the Underworld
- 11What Survived: The Books of Chilam Balam and Modern Maya
About this book
About this Mayan mythology guide
The Hero Twins play ball with Death. Kukulkan descends the pyramid at equinox. The complete mythology of the rainforest mathematicians who gave us the Popol Vuh.
The Maya calculated Venus cycles to the day, built pyramids aligned to solstice sunrise, and recorded creation in the Popol Vuh: the book of dawn. This guide walks you through the Hero Twins' ballgame with the Lords of Death, Kukulkan's descent as the feathered serpent, Ix Chel's floods and rainbows, and the 13 heavens and 9 underworlds that structured Mayan time.
Every chapter cites the Popol Vuh (K'iche' text, 16th century), the Dresden Codex (astronomical tables), the inscriptions at Palenque and Copán, and the Books of Chilam Balam. You will read how Hunahpu and Xbalanque defeated the bat-demon Camazotz, why the calendar required both a 260-day sacred count and a 365-day solar year, and what the jade mosaic death mask of K'inich Janaab' Pakal reveals about the journey to the underworld.
Includes original ink illustrations and inline citations to primary sources. Designed for print quality.
What you will discover inside
- How Hunahpu and Xbalanque defeated the Lords of Death in the ballcourt of Xibalba
- Why the Maya calculated time in cycles of 13 and 20, and what the Long Count recorded
- What the Popol Vuh reveals about the creation of humans from maize after three failed attempts
- The role of Kukulkan (feathered serpent) in Mayan cosmology and the equinox descent at Chichen Itza
- How Itzamna invented writing and the sacred books, and what survived in the four codices
- What the jade mosaic death mask of King Pakal tells us about the journey through the nine underworlds
Mayan mythology book at a glance
| Tradition | Mayan mythology |
|---|---|
| Chapters | 11 chapters |
| Length | 150 pages |
| Sources | Drawn from the primary sources, cited inline |
| Reading level | Beginner-friendly. Every name and place is explained from scratch |
| Format | Print-quality PDF |
| Delivery | PDF within 24 hours |
Formats and editions
| Edition | What you get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Instant PDF | Print-quality download, readable on any device. PDF within 24 hours. | $7.99 |
| Paperback | A paperback edition is on the way. Sign up on this page to hear when it lands on Amazon. | Coming soon |
About the author
Guillaume Henry
Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Mythologis
Guillaume Henry founded Mythologis to make the world's mythologies readable without losing what makes them strange. Every Mythologis book draws on the primary sources first, cross-references multiple translations, and avoids inventing details that aren't in the originals.
More about the authorKeep exploring Mayan mythology
Prefer to read before you buy? These free, fully sourced guides cover the same gods, myths and sources you will meet in the book.
Read the complete Mayan mythology guideQuestions about the Mayan mythology book
When will I receive my PDF?
Within 24 hours of purchase. Your download link arrives in your inbox automatically.
Is this book based on primary sources?
Every chapter cites the Popol Vuh (K'iche' manuscript, c. 1550s, translated by Dennis Tedlock and Allen Christenson), the Dresden Codex (pre-Columbian astronomical tables), the inscriptions at Palenque and Copán (deciphered by Linda Schele and David Stuart), and the Books of Chilam Balam (Yucatec prophecy texts). Includes references to the standard published translations so you can read further.
How long is the book?
Eleven chapters, around 150 pages depending on the final layout. Designed to be read in evenings or in one long sitting.
Is this book for beginners or specialists?
Beginners welcome. The book explains every name, place, and concept from scratch. Specialists will find the source citations and translation notes useful for further reading.
Will there be a paperback on Amazon?
The PDF is available immediately. A KDP paperback edition follows once the book has been validated by readers.
Why isn't Chac (the rain god) covered in a separate chapter?
Chac appears throughout the book in the context of agricultural ritual, the Popol Vuh creation, and the Dresden Codex rain tables. The chapter structure prioritizes narrative arcs (creation, Hero Twins, Kukulkan) over individual deity profiles, but every major god is discussed where the sources place them.
What formats is this book available in?
Every title is available as an instant PDF, downloaded the moment you buy it: the link appears on the confirmation page and lands in your inbox. Selected titles also have a paperback edition on Amazon. Where the paperback is not out yet, you can sign up to be notified the day it does.
What is the return policy?
The PDF is delivered instantly by Mythologis. If a download ever fails or a file looks wrong, get in touch and we will make it right. Paperbacks bought on Amazon are handled under Amazon's own returns and refund policy.
Can I order from outside the United States?
Yes. The PDF is a digital download, so it works instantly anywhere in the world, with nothing to ship. Where a paperback edition exists, it is sold across Amazon's international marketplaces, with shipping rates and delivery times depending on your country.
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