The Maya and Astronomy

The ancient Maya considered much of nature as sacred, overseen and controlled by the gods but the world had dangerous figures and evil forces as well. Performing particular sacred rituals was fundamental to their beliefs; accurate timing in accord with the heavens was part of many rituals. Alignment with the cosmos was also deemed essential in many aspects of their daily lives. Devotions to the gods required prayers, sacrifices, pilgrimages and ritual bloodletting which was done by the king, and sometimes the queen, in impressive public settings to prove their right to rule.