Divine Paddlers (Mayan gods)

[Rob Stevens]

Years ago I had an enlarged image of a fragmented of a Mayan canoe paddled by the Gods.
I intended to carve a relief panel on wood.
I have revived my interest and am now researching this image. It turns out the image is from an etching on a bone found at burial site 116 in Tikal (Guatemala ).

Jaguar [stern] and Stingray [bow]
Passengers in the canoe include an iguana, spider monkey, parrot and dog. Centred in the canoe is a figure identified as an “odd mammal” or “gesturing priest” now thought to be the deceased Maize God (Hun Ixim) being transported through the underworld, possibly to the place of his rebirth.



Image sources;
Tikal Bones from Burial 116, Drawings by Linda Schele
Courtesy of Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies, Inc. (FAMSI)

 

[Rob Stevens]

Update;
Maya Paddler Gods; (etchings on bones) of various Mayan animal gods paddling a canoe; from Tikal Burial 116.
They are; Old Jaguar Paddler, Old Stingray Paddler, iguana, monkey, ??, parrot & ??.
"There are times when even Gods have to paddle their own canoe. Well, some cargoes are too precious to end up the creek without a paddle. When there are souls to be ferried and corn distribution to be taken care of, you need to run a tight canoe." (Source: https://www.godchecker.com/maya-mythology/PADDLER-GODS/)

I have been thinking of doing a painted relief carving similar to the originals, though they are fragmentary.
Fortunately, there are lots of interpretations.
For instance;

Mayan Paddler Gods Artwork Stock Photo - Alamy​

Download this stock image: Mayan Paddler Gods Artwork - 2M1RCCK from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors.

www.alamy.com

There are even several carved wooden interpretations, including;

Xibalba Canoe​

Excellent quality design, hand carved by Mexican artisans from Chiapas, Mexico. Made with Cedar Wood. Weight: 25 lb., Height: 14 in., Length: 39 in., Width: 11 in. Hand-carved wooden canoe with a Maya God on his way to the underworld, Xibalba. The death voyage of a Maya King. The original bone...
shopmercado369.com

More info on their meaning;

More on the Paddler Gods​

by David Stuart (The University of Texas at Austin) Among the various gods we know from ancient Maya religion, the paired deities known as the Paddlers are among the most important and enigmatic. T…

mayadecipherment.com

Maya God Profiles: The "Paddler Gods"​

Back from a long break after completing my PhD thesis, I thought I would start things off by featuring a list over the next few month...

ajchich1.blogspot.com