Jump to content

Yopaat

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sculpted image of Yopaat on Quirigua Altar O'

Yopaatwas an importantMayastorm godin thesouthern Maya areathat included thecitiesofCopánandQuiriguáduring the Classic period ofMesoamerican chronology(c. 250–900 AD). Yopaat was closely related toChaac,the Mayarain god.[1]Yopaat is depicted as bearing a flint weapon that represents athunderbolt.[2]Yopaat was held responsible for especially violent lightning storms, that were believed to cause earthquakes. He was often represented with a snake in place of one leg, demonstrating a close relationship withKʼawiil,anotherMaya deitywith similar attributes.[3]

The deity was most important during the Late Classic period (c. 600–900 AD).[1]Although his worship was concentrated in theMotagua Valley,glyphic inscriptions of the name occur as far away asPalenque,YaxchilánandToniná.[4]Decipherment of a hieroglyphic text found at Palenque has resulted in the suggestion that Yopaat was associated with mist that forms before rainfall.[5]The name of the deity was frequently used as a part of the names of the kings of the Quiriguá dynasty,[1]and it is likely that Yopaat was the patron god of the city, which was subject to abundant rainfall and frequent floods.[6]

Etymology

[edit]

The name Yopaat is formed from two elements –yopandaat,literallyleaf-penis.[7]This name has been tentatively linked to mythic imagery atSan Bartolo,Petén,and with other deities in widerMesoamericathat feature an oversized leaf hanging from their abdomens.[8]

Iconography

[edit]

InMaya art,Yopaat is depicted using his thunderbolt weapon to crack the shell of the mythic turtle, an action that gives rise to the resurrection of themaize god.[9]Representations of Yopaat are almost identical to representations of Chaac, except his weapon, and curved dotted elements on his head. These dotted elements may represent clouds or mist,[7]or may be sparks.[2]He also has stony markings on his body.[3]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^abcGutiérrez González 2012, p. 1061.
  2. ^abBassie-Sweet and Hopkins 2015, p. 127.
  3. ^abPallán Gayol 2008, p. 26.
  4. ^Gutiérrez González 2012, p. 1062.
  5. ^Gutiérrez González 2012, p. 1063.
  6. ^Gutiérrez González 2012, p. 1066.
  7. ^abStuart 6 March 2013.
  8. ^Pallán Gayol 2008, p. 27.
  9. ^Looper 2003, pp. 4–5.

References

[edit]
  • Bassie-Sweet, Karen; and Nicholas A. Hopkins (2015) "Ancient Thunderbolt and Meteor Deities"in K. Bassie-Sweet, ed.The Chʼol Maya of Chiapas(Norman, Oklahoma, US: University of Oklahoma Press). 123–144.ISBN9780806149264.OCLC907238631
  • Gutiérrez González, María Eugenia (2012) B. Arroyo, L. Paiz, and H. Mejía, eds. "Yopaat, un dios Maya de la Tormenta en QuiriguáArchived2015-09-23 at theWayback Machine."[Yopaat, a Maya storm god at Quiriguá]Simposio de Investigaciones Arqueológicas en Guatemala(in Spanish) (Guatemala City, Guatemala: Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropología e Historia, and Asociación Tikal). XXV (2011):1061–1073.ISBN9789929400375.OCLC806091034
  • Looper, Matthew (2003)Lightning Warrior: Maya Art and Kingship at Quirigua(Austin, Texas, US: University of Texas Press).ISBN0292705565.
  • Pallán Gayol, Carlos (2008) "The Many Faces of Chaahk: Exploring the Role of a Complex and Fluid Entity within Myth, Religion and Politics"Academia.edu.
  • Stuart, David (6 March 2013)Leaf Glyphs: Spellings with yo and YOP.Maya Decipherment: Ideas on Ancient Maya Writing and Iconography (decipherment.wordpress ). Austin, Texas, US: University of Texas. Retrieved on 18 March 2016.

Further reading

[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yopaat&oldid=1146990272"