Question

What was the importance of stone, stick, and shell symbols in the Maya Empire?

Answer 1

The importance of these materials was for keeping track of the days.

Answer 2

Answer: The importance for the Maya Empire about :

• Stone

• Stick

• Shell

The Mayan number system was developed by the ancient Maya civilization of Central America. Similar to the number system we use today, the Mayan system operated with place values.  

The three basic symbols are the stone, whose value is 1; the stick, whose value is 5; and the shell, whose value is 0.

Although we have in the numbering a copy of the symbolism of these objects for the Maya, we can describe several more below.

Explanation:

• Stone

Jade and Obsidian, were stones that had a symbolism of celestial fire, like the sun and lightning, but obsidian was also associated with the underworld in the Mayan culture, as shown in various pieces and eccentrics that represent animal shapes gods for sacrificial purposes and other rituals, related to their gods.

• Stick

The stick is always related to the God of Fire since using the friction of this we achieve primitively by lighting a flame.

• Shell

The connection of the shell with the lineages is due to the fact that they were used as precious jewels by the lords of the Mayan nobility. True or not, the fact is that the shell was appreciated by the nobles as an ornament in their outfits, which in the pictorial and sculptural representations indicates an obvious and important symbolic burden.

Another important aspect is the use of shells in puberty rites. It was also related to childbirth and birth, since it is the symbol of the lunar goddess, deity of procreation, marriage, medicine, land and water. And finally we find the self-sacrifices of the male sex.