Artifact:: Maize God Plate

The Maize God was an important God within the deities of Mayan culture. Much of its significance stems from the myth that the Maya were created from the deities of out corn, or Maize.

In Maya mythology, the Maize God, is half human/ half animal. The headdress he bears emphasizes such. His life is cyclical, just like the harvesting season for Maize, and he is most represented through the ornaments he wears; primarily feathers and jade.

I chose the plate as my artifact because it hold a ritualistic experience I feel cannot be found in other artifacts. To begin, the fact that the Maize God is centrally located on it suggest this plate is for a more ritualistic use, rather than daily utility. In addition, it gives insight into what the Mayans valued for themselves. Maize God was seen as perfect and an individual to admire. His purpose in the culture was to provide food for the Maya empire.

The depictions on the border of the plate are rival deities that come upon him, such as the God of the underworld, depicted as a Jaguar. The story depicts essentially how the world goes into seasons, and that the reason is the Jaguar makes the Maize God go into hiding as to avoid being killed.