Popol Vuh, a Maya creation tale, is well-known. It explains how humans, after many failed attempts by Maya gods to create them, were eventually made of water and maize. The Maya gods were the ones who ruled over the earth before the advent of humans. Because they couldn’t reproduce and maintain the human population, the Maya gods were even more concerned that their task would be lost. The Popol Vuh says that the gods gathered throughout the night in order to talk about how they could make human beings. They searched for and looked for things, then pondered. Their minds became clear and bright, and they soon identified something that could be used for human health. Popol Vuh says that this happened just prior to the appearance of the stars and moon. It also occurred over the heads of sharpeners and framers. Popol Vuh asserts that these locations, also called Cayala, and Paxil were where the yellow and white ears of ripe maze came from. Parakeet, Coyote and Fox were among the animals which revealed white and gold ears to Maya gods. The Popol Vuh says that these animals arose from Paxil, and gave instructions to the Maya gods how to get there. The Maya gods understood that maize played a key role in human creation. But they need blood to live as full people. The Maya gods used water to make their blood. This made them the blood of the human race.
The Popol Vuh says that “He Who Has Begotten Sons”, and “She Who Has Born Children”, brought the ears to maize to humanity. The Maya gods became more excited at discovering that mountain filled with maize ears, white and yellow maize ears, as well as other tasty things. The mountain was filled with a variety of delicious goods including honey, pataxte, nances and jocotes as well as an array of zapotes. Xmucane was one of Maya’s most powerful deities. He played a key role in the grinding of white corn ears and yellow maize ears using the nine grindings. The Popol Vuh states that the gods made sure humans had enough food and water to keep them alive. Human skin is yellowed by the Mayan gods Quetzal Serpent, Sovereign And Quetzal Serpent as well as He Who Has Been Sons and She Who has Born Children. The Mayans were the first father and mother to create the human form and structure. The Popol Vuh states that the youngest humans had only yellow ears from maize and corn ears. Also, the human arms and legs are made of food. The Mayan gods produced the four first humans. They were named Iqui Balam and Mahucutah as well as Balam Acab and Balam Quitze. These were, according to Popol Vuh’s Maya creation story, the Maya mothers and fathers.