THE SHAPE OF THE UNIVERSE

The Maya cosmovision conceives Earth as flat and the universe as a multi-tiered square surrounded by the body of a crocodile. Within this cosmic square are three levels: the Sky, Caan; the Earth, Cab; and the underworld Xibalba. From the center of the Earth emerges the yaxche, the sacred Maya Ceiba tree. Its branches support the Sky and the trunk rests on the Earth, while its roots reach down to the underworld.

    The four corners and center of the square are considered five cardinal points, each with its own color. The center point of the cosmic square is green and from it grows the yaxche, The North is white, South is yellow, West is black and East is red. The latter is of utmost importance, for this is where the sun rises.

    Each of the cardinal points is supported by a Bacab, the Atlantean gods who also see to it that the stars and all the celestial planets remain in place for eternity.