Love is a universal feeling that has inspired all cultures and epochs. The Maya, one of the most advanced civilizations of antiquity, also had their own ways of expressing and experiencing love, both in the divine and human realms. In this article, we explore some intriguing aspects of love among the Maya, drawing from their myths, rituals, and customs.
The myths of Maya love
The Maya believed in various gods and goddesses representing different aspects of nature and life. Among them, there were several divine couples that symbolized love and fertility. For example, Ixchel and ItzamnáIxchel, the goddess of the moon, and Itzamná, the god of the sun, who according to legend fell in love when they were mortal and had to overcome several trials to be together. Xquic and Hunahpú, the maiden of blood, and the hero twin, who met in the underworld and conceived the god of corn, the sacred food of the Maya.
The Maya also had legends of tragic love, such as Xtabay and Utz-Colel, two sisters of opposite character who competed for the love of men. Xtabay was a beautiful and kind woman who helped the poor and sick, while Utz-Colel was a proud and cruel woman who scorned others. When Xtabay died, her grave was covered with fragrant flowers, and her spirit became a nymph who seduced men and led them to happiness. When Utz-Colel died, her grave was filled with thorns, and her spirit transformed into a witch who deceived men and led them to death.
Another Maya love story is that of Sac-Nicté and Canek, Two young individuals from rival kingdoms fell in love and had to flee to escape their parents' wrath. Their fate was tragic, as they were pursued and killed by warriors from both sides. Nevertheless, their love was so strong that their souls united in the sky, forming a new star known to the Maya as Zuhuy Kak, the Star of Fire.
The Maya rituals of love
Among the Maya, love was not only expressed in mythical realms but also in social contexts. Marriage was a significant institution that governed the transmission of life and the order of family and community. The Maya adhered to a patrilineal kinship system, where descent and inheritance were traced through the father's line. Consequently, children inherited the father's surname, status, and property, and were prohibited from marrying within their paternal family. Instead, they could marry maternal relatives or women from other families or lineages.
Parents typically chose wives for their sons among the Maya, as it was frowned upon for individuals to select their own partners. To propose to a maiden, a suitor would visit her parents multiple times, presenting increasingly valuable gifts until they were accepted. Once accepted, a dowry was arranged, with the groom's father delivering it to the bride's father. Meanwhile, the groom's mother would prepare ceremonial attire for her daughter-in-law and son.
On the wedding day, elders would fetch the bride and carry her on their shoulders to the ceremony location, often the groom's house. There, a ritual of exchanging rings, necklaces, and blankets symbolizing the union of the spouses took place. Subsequently, a celebration followed with music, dance, and food, after which the newlyweds retired to their chamber to consummate the marriage.
Maya Marriage
Maya marriage was not indissoluble; it could be dissolved for various reasons such as adultery, infertility, violence, or abandonment. In such cases, spouses were required to return the goods they had received from their in-laws and were free to marry others. However, divorce was not common as the Maya valued harmony and fidelity in marriage.
Maya Love Customs
In addition to marriage, the Maya had other ways of expressing and experiencing love, both publicly and privately. For instance, they practiced courtship, which involved a series of nighttime visits that a man made to a woman he was interested in, with the consent of her parents. The man would play a flute or drum to attract the woman's attention, then speak to her with sweet and flattering words. The woman could respond or ignore him based on her interest. If the relationship progressed, they could eventually have intimate encounters, always with discretion and respect.
The Maya also celebrated love with special festivities and ceremonies, such as the Day of Lovers, which coincided with the beginning of the Maya New Year. On this day, unmarried youth gathered in the plazas and exchanged flowers, fruits, and sweets as tokens of affection and goodwill. Those who were interested in each other could dance together and engage in conversation, hoping to start a relationship.
Love among the Maya was also expressed through art and literature. They crafted beautiful sculptures, paintings, and jewelry depicting scenes of love between gods and humans, as well as real or legendary couples. Maya artists created intricate representations that captured their emotions and values. Additionally, they composed poems, songs, and tales that narrated stories of love, ranging from joyful to tragic, reflecting their deep-seated feelings and cultural ethos.
Love among the Maya was a complex and diverse reality, manifesting in various forms in both the divine and human realms. The Maya developed their own myths, rituals, and customs surrounding love, which illuminated their worldview and cultural identity. Love was a vital force among the Maya, driving creation, reproduction, and the expression of their beliefs and values.
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