"Panel, temple of the foliated cross (image and flanking text panels). at left, k'inich kan b'alam ii stands on a flowering witz ("mountain") while holding a jester god figurine. on the right, a smaller person stands on a shell glyphically identified as the supernatural location "matawil." at center, a world tree, embellished with jewels and maize god heads, grows from a waterlily monster. itzam-ye (the celestial bird) perches atop the tree." (Linda Schele Drawings Collection, Famsi)
In the play, Rab'inal Achi, the K'iche' warrior is sacrificed before the very maize tree depicted on this tablet. (Van Akkeren R. Sacrifice at the Maize Tree: Rab’inal Achi in its historical and symbolic context. Ancient Mesoamerica. 1999;10(2):281-295. doi:10.1017/S0956536199102104 )
Tablet of the Foliated Cross
"Panel, temple of the foliated cross (image and flanking text panels). at left, k'inich kan b'alam ii stands on a flowering witz ("mountain") while holding a jester god figurine. on the right, a smaller person stands on a shell glyphically identified as the supernatural location "matawil." at center, a world tree, embellished with jewels and maize god heads, grows from a waterlily monster. itzam-ye (the celestial bird) perches atop the tree." (Linda Schele Drawings Collection, Famsi)
In the play, Rab'inal Achi, the K'iche' warrior is sacrificed before the very maize tree depicted on this tablet.
(Van Akkeren R. Sacrifice at the Maize Tree: Rab’inal Achi in its historical and symbolic context. Ancient Mesoamerica. 1999;10(2):281-295. doi:10.1017/S0956536199102104 )