Artifact: Mayan Scepter

The scepter of K'awiil signifies the hierarchy within Mayan culture. The scepter is to scale in the picture above, only the ruler was permitted to carry the artifact. The artifact is carved from white jade, a unique and significant material for the Mayans. The jade emphasizes the rankings within the culture, only the most official were allotted such beautiful stones, such as the rare white jade. The artifact is intricately carved on every facade, showing the physical and mental dedication put into crafting the scepter and highlighting the importance of K'awiil and the ruler holding it. The god K'awiil or God K is a pivotal Mayan deity. God K represents physical and mental fertility and functioned as a god of royal descent, promising 'innumerable generations'. God K is easily identifiable, with the flaming torch rising from his forehead and a serpent for a foot. The scepter of God K was used as a means to transcend realms and conjure the gods to partake in ritualistic dance or allow the ruler to transform into a deity. The transcendence that is taking place is not over time, but rather throughout space. The mortal ruler that is chosen by the divine, conjures God K and he emerges through smoke to participate in the ritual. The dances were mostly for everyone, but the prestigious class within Mayan society stood closest to the activities. The community would fill the vast spaces within Uxmal, gathering to watch the supernatural festivities. The dancers would also transform into supernatural beings or important animals in Mayan culture such as the snake or jaguar. Dancing was an integral part of Mayan life; the scepter was used in more ceremonial forms of dance, but the Mayans danced daily to connect themselves with the otherworldly.