The Tale of Ix Chel

Ix Chel, the moon goddess, observed a spider weaving with great skill. She recognized the value of its abilities and decided to learn the art of weaving herself. Through patient observation and imitation, she became a masterful weaver.

Kinich Ahau, the sun god, was captivated by Ix Chel's craftsmanship and admired her from a distance. However, the possessive nature of the moon goddess' grandfather prevented the sun god from approaching her. Determined to overcome this obstacle, Kinich Ahau disguised himself as a hummingbird. As he tasted the nectar of a tobacco flower, Ix Chel spotted him and requested her grandfather to capture the bird for her. Obliging his granddaughter, the grandfather shot the disguised sun god with a blow dart, temporarily stunning him.

Ix Chel tended to the wounded bird, nursing it back to health. Eventually, the sun god regained his strength and transformed back into his true form. He invited the moon goddess to escape with him, and they embarked on a journey in a canoe. However, the grandfather, seeking to halt their escape, enlisted the assistance of the powerful storm god. Sensing imminent danger, Ix Chel leaped from the canoe and transformed into a crab. Unfortunately, the storm god had already hurled a lightning bolt, striking the crab and piercing her heart, causing her demise.

In a remarkable display, hundreds of dragonflies gathered, buzzing and fluttering their translucent wings. They formed a dense, magical cloud above the moon goddess' lifeless body. Over thirteen days, the dragonflies meticulously prepared thirteen logs, cutting, cleaning, and hollowing them.

On the thirteenth night, the logs burst open, and the radiant moon goddess emerged, alive and more brilliant than ever before. Waste no time, the sun god proposed marriage, and the moon goddess joyfully accepted. Side by side, they were prepared to illuminate the sky with their radiant rays.

Regrettably, the story did not find its conclusion there. The sun god's brother frequented their presence. Sensing his brother's affection for Ix Chel, the sun god grew jealous and began mistreating her. One day, while filled with anger towards her husband, Ix Chel found herself sitting by the riverbank. A majestic bird glided down and offered to transport her to the lofty mountain peaks. Desperate to escape the cruel sun god, she agreed and reached the mountains where she encountered the king of the vultures. The vulture king, kind and lighthearted, proved to be a far better companion than the violent sun god. The moon goddess made a new home with the vulture king in the mountains.

When the sun god learned of this, he was devastated. He concealed himself inside a deer carcass until a hungry vulture swooped down. Seizing the opportunity, the sun god leaped onto the vulture's back and rode to the mountain kingdom where the moon goddess resided with the vulture king. He begged her to return with him, expressing remorse for his past behavior. Moved by his apology, the compassionate goddess agreed to accompany him back.

However, Kinich Ahau soon revealed his true nature once again. He struck Ix Chel, leaving scars on her face and dimming her radiant glow. Disheartened, Ix Chel took flight into the darkness. From then on, she vowed to only appear at night. She befriended the stars, merging her pale blue rays with their light to guide nocturnal travelers to safety. Utilizing her healing gift, once used to mend the wounded sun god, she now used it to cure those who were ailing.

Today, Ix Chel has become a symbol of Maya culture, widely recognized and revered. Although archaeological evidence suggests that in ancient Maya beliefs, Ix Chel and the moon goddess were separate deities, the retellings by Maya people and the records of anthropologists have merged the two figures, extending Ix Chel's story beyond historical limits. Like all myths, her story is not confined to a singular narrative. The variations, both ancient and modern, reflect the values cherished by people and offer insights into how they perceive themselves through their mythological heroes.

Henrik Leandro