Popol Vuh Sparknotes

The Popol Vuh is a cultural narrative of the Quiché people that blends folklore, mythology, and historical accounts. The contents of the Popol Vuhhave been relayed through oral tradition for many years, and its written form has suffered many losses following Spanish colonization of Latin America. Spanish colonizers destroyed nearly all Quiché texts and codices, including the Popol Vuh. Thus, the earliest known version of the Popol Vuh that exists is a Spanish translation by Reverend Father Franzisco Ximénez, Parish Priest for the Royal Patronage of the Town of Santo Tomás Chuilá, Mexico. Father Ximénez’s translation is the foundational text for all future translations of the Popol Vuh, including this edition, translated to English by Allen J. Christenson. The original authors of the Popol Vuh are unknown, although Christenson

This storyline begins with One Hunahpu and Seven Hunahpu, the sons of Xpiyacoc and Xmucane, who journey to Xibalba to suffer the many trials of the underworld lords who ultimately claim their lives. One day, the maidenLady Blood in Xibalba hears of One Hunahpu’s decapitated head, which hangs from a tree. The tree has mysteriously grown fruit that is indistinguishable from the deity’s skull. Lady Blood allows herself to be impregnated by One Hunahpu’s saliva and gives birth to Hunahpu and Xbalanque on earth. As Hunahpu and Xbalanque grow older, they win the favor of Heart of Sky by killing Seven Macaw and his sons for posing as a false sun and exhibiting greatness rivaling that of the creator deities. Heart of Sky watches over Hunahpu and Xbalanque as they eventually journey to Xibalba to avenge their father’s death. Hunahpu and Xbalanque’s success in Xibalba leads to the formation of the sun, moon, and stars in the sky. The creation of these celestial bodies is what the first people of earth see when they journey eastward to a place called Tulan