Sunday, February 7, 2021

Margaret and Stephen Bunson on "Cardinal Points" in Ancient Mesoamerica

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)