Maya Symbols and Patterns

 

“Long ago, the people of the rainy, mountainous region of Verapaz were trembling from the cold because they did not have clothes. From the heavens, the goddess Itzam saw their suffering and came down to Earth. She visited a woman in her house and tried to teach her how to weave, but the woman simply did not understand. Just as the goddess was about to give up, she saw a spider weaving its web. The deity told the woman to watch how the spider worked, and thanks to this demonstration the woman captured the essence of weaving.” 

This story from Maya mythology illustrates how, for centuries, Maya weavers have drawn inspiration from nature and spirituality to create intricate textiles that tell stories of their culture and beliefs. The symbols and patterns used by Maya weavers each have significance and meaning, allowing them to tell such stories and preserve Maya culture and history. 

Bats are the guardians of the Underworld. They're considered suspicious creatures, rich in dualities. The bat is worshipped for its rule over the darkness, and is a powerful sign to mark against enemies. The Mayas drew a very faint line between our concepts of good and evil: they were seen in unison, rather than separation, and the bat is also revered for its representation of this unison. 

The butterfly, with its wings spread, represents freedom. This freedom is sometimes compared with that of the weaver, with her ability to weave wild stories into her textiles. The white butterfly indicates good news and positivity, while the black represents negativity, pain and tragedy. If a black butterfly enters a Maya home, it is caught and burned to rid the house of the bad luck. Green butterflies are symbols of hope and are welcomed into homes as omens of good health if a family member is sick.

 

Corn is a particularly important symbol in in Guatemalan textiles. Maya mythology tells that for the creation of the human being, white corn was used for the bones, yellow corn for the muscles, black corn for the eyes and hair, and red corn for the blood. For this reason, corn is not just considered a source of food in rural areas: it's also part of the ancestral, ceremonial traditions.

The diamond is one of the most important symbols, and can be found in most of Trama's products. It symbolizes the arms of the weaver, with her body at the bottom, and her textiles at the top. 

The ancient people understood the eagle’s calls as a warning that an earthquake or storm was on its way. In ancient Maya mythology, one face of the double headed eagle represents good and the other represents evil. The creature itself represents contemplative thought. When focused upon, this symbol assists in accessing inner wisdom and facilitates focus. Eagles have also traditionally been a symbol of community and cooperative unity within a diverse group. However, the meaning of the eagle changed during the Spanish conquest since it was featured on the coat of arms of Charles V, who was the ruler of the Spanish empire at the time. For the indigenous population, the eagle can therefore also represent a cruel, unforgiving, and unfamiliar being. 

 

The flower motifs used in weaving are usually the native flowers of Guatemala, like roses, lilies, violas, pansies, gladioli, and cactus flowers. All of these flowers bloom abundantly throughout the year. The Mayas view flowers as symbols of life and fertility.

The quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala, and one of the most important textile symbols, often present in traditional clothing. In a number of modern Maya dialects, the name means ‘treasured’ or ‘sacred’. Legend has it that long ago, the Quetzal would sing beautifully, but has been silent since the Spanish conquest. The red chest is representative of the blood spilled while the Maya people tried to protect themselves and their land.