Pottery incense burner from a shrine at Mayapan depicting the rain god Chac. The Maya
god carries a small bowl in one hand and a ball of flaming incense in the other. Ht
54.6 cm (21.5 in).
Click on image for full size (82K JPEG)
Image courtesy of the Peabody Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
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Xib Chac was the Mayan rain god. He was a benevolent god, and was represented
by many colors. During ceremonies, the priest was assisted by four old men, called Chacs, in honor of his name.
An important part of the ceremony was performed by another person, named Chilam. This individual would reveal, while in
a state of trance, the messages sent by the gods to be interpreted
by the priests.
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