The Sacred and the Profane: San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Part One

The Maya used the cross as a religious symbol before the arrival of the Spanish Dominican priests. The Mayan interpretation is different from the Christian interpretation.  Mayans believe that the four points of the cross symbolize the sun, the earth, the moon and the people. The crosses usually appear in sets of three, symbolizing the three holy mountains of this area. Maya consider mountains to be gateways into Heaven.

The Maya believe that the First Father propped up the sky with huge ceiba (kapok) trees at its four corners (north, south, east and west) as well as in the center of the world. The crosses are normally green and are the symbol of the ceiba tree, the Mayan “World Tree”. They are decorated with carvings of bromeliads and pine boughs and are sometimes adorned with real flowers and pine boughs.  Crosses like the one above are also found inside churches.  The indoor crosses are often dressed in velvet casings.

Sunshine and shadow, San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Wrought iron roof crosses are traditional in San Cristóbal.  This cross includes two angels, two pitchers, and other elements.  More often, the crosses include the symbols of Christ's passion: a ladder, a rooster, a lance, a pair of dice, the crown of thorns, and others.

Juegos pirotécnicos (fireworks) for sale at the market.  The tall ones are small cohetes, like bottle rockets.

Anti-US graffito spray-stenciled on a wall in San Cristóbal de las Casas.  Click on the photo to enlarge it.  Can you read it?

Beaded key chains from the Santo Domingo artisans' market.  We brought back several for little gifts, and we've already given them all away!

Comments

[cooking]

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[Barbara]

I'm an avid folkart collector but I have NEVER seen the roof crosses. How interesting!
I'm off to Chiapas next month for my first trip and I'm reading your blog with GREAT interest. Your blog is ALWAYS so informative.