Yaxche: Mayan World Tree

The Maya considered the ceiba tree to be Yaxche, the "world tree", the first tree in existence. Yaxche was axis mundi, the navel of the world uniting the underworld (represented by the crocodile coming out of the water), the earth and the sky (heavens).

The ceiba tree is crowned with foliage spreading in all four directions. During its growth and ascent, it gave birth to life on earth and later set stars and heavenly bodies in motion. Mayans believed in a connection between humans and the ceiba tree. Like a mother, the bearer of children, humankind can only continue as long as the ceiba tree is alive.

Painting by Anna Katharina Muench