Key Info

- The dual ruling Lords of the Underworld

- Captured and killed the father and uncle of the Hero Twins

Brief Bio

The Popol Vuh, a text dating to the sixteenth century said to contain within which is the oldest Mayan myth contained in its’ entirety. The story has two main death gods called “One Death,” and the other called “Seven Death”, who were eventually vanquished by the Hero Twins. The two principal death gods are among the many were-animals and ghosts known as Wayob inhabiting the Underworld. (Wayob are sleepers who can intentionally do harm while they are dreaming.) The mention of were-animals is interesting because were-animals represent transformation and can be psychopomps carrying souls to the underworld. The bear is one such animal and the wolf is another. It is speculated that these two gods are really one god with the story depicting two aspects of it as are the twins.