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An Illustrated Dictionary of the Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya Paperback – April 17, 1997

by Mary Ellen Miller (Author), Karl Taube (Author)

690

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The myths and beliefs of the great pre-Columbian civilizations of Mesoamerica have baffled and fascinated outsiders ever since the Spanish Conquest. Yet, until now, no single-volume introduction has existed to act as a guide to this labyrinthine symbolic world.

The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya is the first-ever English-language dictionary of Mesoamerican mythology and religion. Nearly 300 entries, from accession to yoke, describe the main gods and symbols of the Olmecs, Zapotecs, Maya, Teotihuacanos, Mixtecs, Toltecs, and Aztecs. Topics range from jaguar and jester gods to reptile eye and rubber, from creation accounts and sacred places to ritual practices such as bloodletting, confession, dance, and pilgrimage. In addition, two introductory essays provide succinct accounts of Mesoamerican history and religion, while a substantial bibliographical survey directs the reader to original sources and recent discussions. Dictionary entries are illustrated with photographs and specially commissioned line drawings. Mary Miller and Karl Taube draw on their research in the fast-changing field of Maya studies, and on the latest Mexican discoveries, to produce an authoritative work that will serve as a standard reference for students, scholars, and travelers. Photographs and illustrations throughout

Print length

216 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Thames & Hudson
Publication date

April 17, 1997
Dimensions

6.3 x 0.7 x 9.5 inches
ISBN-10

0500279284
ISBN-13

978-0500279281
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Well-written and comprehensive...the book has not left my desk. -- Latin American Antiqity

About the Author

Mary Ellen Miller is former dean of Yale College, and now directs the Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles. Her book with Linda Schele, The Blood of Kings: Dynasty and Ritual in Maya Art, is considered a landmark in Maya studies.

Karl Taube is Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of California at Riverside. Conversant in Yucatec Mayan, Professor Taube has conducted archaeological and ethnographic research in Yucatn, and is a leading scholar of Mesoamerican writing and iconography.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thames & Hudson (April 17, 1997)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 216 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0500279284
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0500279281
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.33 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.3 x 0.7 x 9.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #90,242 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #10 in Aztec History
- #23 in Mexico History
- #169 in Native American History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5

690 global ratings

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James Kenney

The depth of detail, and the occasional mysteries that turn up, are fascinating

Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2015

Verified Purchase

As a kid, I used to love paging through the dictionary, stopping here and there to read the definition of an interesting word. You can do the same with this book, but it's a lot easier to find words you don't know. The depth of detail, and the occasional mysteries that turn up, are fascinating. You can't help but learn about ancient cultures of Mexico through reading this wonderful dictionary.
Here's an illustration of what I mean, from the definition of calendar (which was only 260 days long!) concerning Venus:
"In both Mexican and Maya records, Venus was recorded to appear for 236 days as the morning star, then to disappear for 90 days during Superior Conjunction, reappear as the evening star for 250 days, then briefly vanish into Inferior Conjunction before reappearing as the morning star. For reasons impossible to reconstruct, these calculations ignore the pattern of Venus that can be observed by the naked eye: roughly equal periods of 263 days for both morning and evening star, divided by disappearances of 50 and 8 days."
WHY would such a people, who were very observant of the sky, describe the cycle of Venus so at odds with what anyone can see? This book is full of this type of information.

31 people found this helpful

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Chocolate Lover

Very Complete Reference Book

Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2024

Verified Purchase

Very well researched and complete reference book of the ancient Mexico and Mayan deities.

Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2023

Verified Purchase

Husband loves the book, has a lot of good knowledge to learn.

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JYamser

Terrific Reference Book

Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2021

Verified Purchase

I have and love this book. It can be read straight through or used as an encyclopedia for specific terms. Easy to read with lots of references for additional reading. Great addition to a collection.

4 people found this helpful

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Krista Mendoza

Good Addition

Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2023

Verified Purchase

I bought this and another book for my husband about Mesoamericans. I wish there were more pictures of what types of and how many illustrations were found inside. I was expecting more illustrations since illustrated was in the title. However, it is a great addition to any collection of history books you own about Ancient History. It has helped my husband deepen his understanding as a nice reference.

One person found this helpful

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Roger Carrier

A Nice Book for Anyone Interested in Ancient Mexico

Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2008

Verified Purchase

I enjoyed looking through this "dictionary," but I hope it is revised with separate sections on the Olmec, Maya, and Aztecs (the alphabetical format could be retained). As a "dictionary," it also should have been much longer (four or five hundred pages instead of two hundred).

Nevertheless, the general reader interested in Mesoamerica will enjoy this book. I have a large collection of books on Mesoamerica, and I found several illustrations that I have not seen before. There is a fascinating picture of a jaguar skeleton with a jade ball in its mouth (Aztec).

The illustration of a Maya dancer is also fascinating. "In a state of shamanic transformation, a May lord would take on an animal self or 'uay,' most commonly the jaguar."

Another shows a "Maya figure wearing a War Serpent headdress." The fangs of the serpent rise above the figure's head.

Still another shows "The monkey scribal gods painting a codex." The monkey-headed men are dressed like Maya scribes.

I would recommend buying a used copy of this book.

45 people found this helpful

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J. Jacob

New book sold as "Like New"

Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2023

Verified Purchase

In perfect condition, promptly shipped! Exactly what I was looking for!

Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2020

Verified Purchase

I am a lover of the Meso-american archaeology and have some books about it. This book is a new great addition to the ones I have, it has so much and great information about these cultures. I am not an expert but there are few books so complete about this topic. If you are interested in these wonderful and long lost civilizations, I definitively recommend it for your!

5 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

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Estefania

Nice book 💕

Reviewed in Mexico on December 5, 2021

Verified Purchase

The book is amazing. Perfect to know more about Mexican mithology 💕 it makes an amazing gift to those who enjoy prehispanic history.

Los_Raider

Beautiful history

Reviewed in Canada on December 30, 2020

Verified Purchase

This book is an excellent read and can be a great gift. Very fast shipping and an overall great shopping experience

Dr. Maco

Ottima raccolta in inglese.

Reviewed in Italy on March 31, 2020

Verified Purchase

Esaustiva raccolti dei simboli del passato di una antica e bellissima cultura. Must have nella propria libreria. Testo integralmente in inglese.

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Steve Hammond

Great for those new to the subject or those seeking more.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2018

Verified Purchase

This book is excellent, it's brimming with information I'd been looking for in other books on the subject of Mesoamerica.

It covers the major gods/godesses, rituals, symbology, supernatuals, and culture of various mesoamerican peoples including the Aztec, Mixtec, Zapotec and "Maya" peoples to name a few (though Aztec and Maya get the most page space)

While some subjects get much more attention than others those that do are pleasingly extensive, it's truly a vast subject and the book does it a good service.

The illustrations are all black and white and on the right hand page but there isn't a single page that does not have a relevant and interesting photo or drawing.

It also includes a detailed bibliography briefly explaining the history of Mesoamerican study and books to pursue though sadly it is quite dated and has nothing beyond the early 1990's.

Ideal for anyone who want to seriously learn about Mesoamerican culture.

2 people found this helpful

Shantal Torres

Bellísimo y útil

Reviewed in Mexico on September 13, 2021

Verified Purchase

Me encantó el diccionario, es una gran referencia para los que estudiamos culturas prehispánicas aunque sea en inglés. Vale muchísimo la pena.

One person found this helpful

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