The legend of the Ceiba

    There is a famous legend from the Popol Vuh, that the creator gods planted in the four regions of the cosmos their respective ceiba trees: in the East, the red ceiba; in the West, the black ceiba; in the south, the yellow ceiba; and in the north, the whiteceiba. Finally, they planted a fifth ceiba in the center of the four directions, and in its roots, they located the Xibalbá or Mitnal, the dwelling of the dead; at its base, they placed the Kab, or the land where we humans live; and in its trunk and branches they established the dwelling of the gods; and at the top of the tree was located the origin of all the gods, in the form of a magnificent heavenly Quetzal bird.

    The ceiba signifies life, perpetuity, grandeur, goodness, strength, and unity. There is no other plant which grows as tall, is as beautiful, provides as much shade, and receives as many offerings from its people, from flowers, honey, coins, to even an animal which it accepts with satisfaction, for it represents the magic powers of the sacred tree of the forest.

    Due to the importance this tree represented in the life of these civilizations;this giant was always planted in the center of the plazas. It can reach heights of 70 meters and its trunk can have a circumference of up to 5 meters.

- Nathan Dzul, Jarib Novelo