Mesoamerican mythology : a guide to the Gods, heroes, rituals and beliefs of Mexico and Central America
An excellent resource, Handbook of Mesoamerican Mythology introduces readers to the mythology of Mexico and Central America. Its chief focus is on Mexican Highland and Maya areas, as they were, and are, of utmost importance to Mesoamerican history. An extensive and edifying introduction defines the nature of myth, the Mesoamericans as a people, and the cultural worldview that informed Mesoamerican mythology. The Handbook presents historical and mythological timelines, with each time period and cultural group fully defined. Also featured is a quick geographical and historical survey of Mesoamerica from the Paleoindian Era to the present, as well as a discussion of some of the challenges and possibilities that structure Mesoamerican studies. Moreover, an extensive reference list and a glossary of cultural and mythological terms are included, and pronunciation guides are given throughout. With an annotated bibliography that ranges from film to websites, fiction to poetry, and from introductory to scholarly works, the book is an all-embracing portal to its subject
Print Book, English, 2002, ©2000
Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2002, ©2000
Encyclopedias
xvii, 335 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
9780195149098, 0195149092
877552779
1. Introduction
Myths and the Real World
The Mesoamerican Mythmakers
Who are the Mesoamericans?
How Do We Know about Mesoamericans?
The Mythmakers' Worldviews
Cosmic Topography
Power-filled Inhabitants
Calendrically Determined Transformation
Sacrifice
Mesoamerican Cultural History
1.. The Paleo-Indian (ca. 25,000 B.C.-7000 B.C.)
2.. The Archaic (ca. 7000-2000 B.C.)
3.. The Preclassic Period (ca. 2000 B.C.-A.D. 250)
4.. The Classic Period (ca. A.D. 250-900/1000)
5.. The Postclassic Period (ca. A.D. 900/1000-1521)
6.. The Spanish Conquest and Colonization of Mesoamerica (1521-1808)
7.. Independence to the Present (1808-2000)
2. Mythic Timelines
Two Mythic Histories: K'iche' and Nahua
K'iche' Maya History
Nahua History
Mythological Time
Time's Purpose
Time's Workings
3. Deities, Themes, and Concepts
Acamapichtli, Lord
Ahuitzotl, Lord
Ajitz C'oxol
Bacabs
Bats
Blood Woman
Calendar Deities
Canek
Chac and the Chacs
Chalchiuhtlicue
Christ
Cihuacoatl
Cizin
Coatlicue
Cortes, Fernando (Hernan)
Coyolxauhqui
Cuauhtemoc, Lord
Dead, Day of the
Deer
Devil
Dogs
Earth, Agricultural, and Hunting Deities
Feathered Serpents
Fifth Sun
God L
Guadalupe, Virgin of
Gukumatz
Hero Twins (Hunahpu and Xbalanque)
Huitzilopochtli
Hunab Ku
Itzamna
Ix Chel
Jurakan
Kinich Ahau
Kukulcan
La Llorona
Malinche
Moon
Motecuhzoma I (Ilhuicamina), Lord
Motecuhzoma II (Xocoyotzin), Lord
Nahual (Nagual)
1-Death (Hun Came) and 7-Death (Vucub Came)
Opossums
Pacal
Quetzalcoatl
Rain and Water Deities
Saints
Sky Deities and Beings
Sun
Tezcatlipoca
Tizoc, Lord
Tlacaellel
Tlaloc and the Tlaloques
Underworld and Caves, Deities of the
Yum Kaax (Diving God)
4. Annotated Print and Nonprint Resources
Books and Articles
Videos
Pre-Conquest Mexican and Mayan
Post-Conquest-Contemporary Mexico
Contemporary Central America
General Mesoamerica
Maya
Ancient and Contemporary Mexico
Originally published under the title: Handbook of Mesoamerican mythology, 2000