The following, taken from Encyclopedia of Ancient Mesoamerica (1996) and its discussion of "cardinal points" could have interesting implications for Helaman 3:8 in the Book of Mormon:
CARDINAL POINTS Representing the
four corners of the earth, a religious concept fundamental to many Mesoamerican
cultures and a method by which all earthly creatures were grouped. Consequently
the numbers four and five had religious significance for most cultures of the
region. The cardinal points, assigned divine patrons, colors, days and year
signs, were deemed favorable or unfavorable in divinization. The calendar
systems of regional civilizations also utilized the cardinal points. The Maya
and the Aztec both looked upon the quadrants of the earth as religious
entities. Death, for example, ruled from the north among the Aztec and from the
south among the Maya. According to a Chac legend, the cardinal points were
formed by Chac, the Maya rain deity. The Maya used them in their early tomb
decorations and in their codices. The points were also associated with the Acantun
and with the Ritual of the Bacabs. They were applied by the Olmec during
their ascendancy. The remains of the Olmec city of La Venta clearly demonstrate
the significance of the four directions in religious rites. Codices and other
monumental remains of the Valley of Mexico cultures depict the cardinal points
as well, complete with colors, deities, temples, and trees associated with the
M[aya]. (Margaret R. Bunson and Stephen M. Bunson, Encyclopedia of Ancient
Mesoamerica [New York: Facts on Files, Inc., 1996], 46)
