Sacred Mayan Journey Canoe

Detailed Folk Art - Carved Wooden "Sacred Mayan Journey". Excellent quality design, hand carved by Mexican artisans from Chiapas, Mexico.

Made with Cedar Wood. Weight: 28 lb., Height: 13 in., Length: 38 in., Width: 11 1/2 in.

This hand-carved wooden canoe represents the odyssey that goes back to the Ancient Mayan Culture, who had the tradition of honoring Ixchel, the Mayan Goddess of Fertility, who was believed that on that date delivered a special message to the people. The journey started at Ppolé port which translates from Mayan as "merchandise" to Kuzamil (now known as Cozumel) in Canopies filled with women and little girls, that had offerings in place for the Goddess, in exchange for being blessed and fertile. Women travel this journey twice in their lifetime. Once as a child with her mother, and the second as a grown up with their daughter.

For the Mayan, crossing the sea, meant going into the underworld or Xibalba, and arriving at land again was viewed as a rebirth, and the offerings were provided to the temple, in exchange for a message from her.