- Cizin
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Mayan god of earthquakes and death.He may have represented one aspect of a malevolent underworld deity known by various names and in various guises. In Mayan manuscripts, he was depicted with the god of war in scenes of human sacrifice; he was also depicted as a dancing skeleton. His death collar was adorned with eyeballs dangling by their nerve cords. After the Spanish Conquest, he merged with the Christian devil, Satan.
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▪ Mayan godalso spelled Kisin(Mayan: “Stinking One”), Mayan earthquake god and god of death, ruler of the subterranean land of the dead. He may possibly have been one aspect of a malevolent underworld deity who manifested himself under several names and guises (e.g., Ah Puch, Xibalba, and Yum Cimil). In pre-Conquest codices, or manuscripts, the god of death is frequently depicted with the god of war in scenes of human sacrifice. One aspect of the dualistic nature of the Mayan religion is symbolically portrayed in the existing codices, which show Cizin uprooting or destroying trees planted by Chac, the rain god. Cizin is often depicted on pottery and illustrated in the codices in the form of a dancing skeleton, holding a smoking cigarette. He is also known by his death collar, the most prominent feature of which consists of disembodied eyes dangling by their nerve cords. After the Spanish Conquest, Cizin became merged with the Christian devil.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
