Xibalba: Nine-Leveled Underground Place Of Fear Ruled By Lords Of Death In Maya Beliefs
A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - The ancient Maya believed that the underworld – Xibalba – was a terrifying realm often described as a “place of fear.” In their cosmology, it was not simply a distant or symbolic location, but a powerful, active domain that influenced both the world of the living and the realm of the gods.
In some ancient accounts, Xibalba is portrayed as a shadowy kingdom ruled by malevolent deities or demons, constantly plotting against the gods in heaven, seeking to undermine cosmic order and harmony.
After the creation of the earth, the Popol Vuh says that one of the routes from the surface of the earth to the Xibalba council house was through a cave passageway at the eastern horizon. It was reached by traveling along a dangerous, rocky road riddled with obstacles, such as a river filled with blood and another full of scorpions.
This large underground city is organized into nine, gradually descending levels. It contains passages, dark caves, and the living spaces occupied by the Lords of Xibalba.
This is a preview of our premium article available only to members of Ancient Pages.
Become a member to read more - Click here
If you are already a member and have logged in to your account, you can access the article here
See also:
Centeotl: Lord Of Maize Who Was Revered Before The Olmecs By All Mesoamerica’s Inhabitants
Knowledge Of Secret Ancient Underground Civilization Revealed By Maya Priests
More From Ancient Pages
-
Mysterious Disappearance Of King Aegeus Of Athens After His Wedding
Featured Stories | Aug 23, 2025 -
Never-Ending Battles Between God Ra And Indestructible Apophis In Ancient Egyptian Beliefs
Featured Stories | May 20, 2021 -
Manuscripts And Art Support Evidence That Syphilis Was In Europe Long Before Explorers Could Have Brought It Home
Featured Stories | Jul 15, 2022 -
Dangerous Anomaly Inside Mysterious European Mountain Remains Unexplained – Examining Evidence – Part 2
Ancient Mysteries | Mar 17, 2021 -
Great Viking Fortresses Built By King Harald Bluetooth
Featured Stories | Dec 12, 2022 -
Numa Pompilius – Remarkable Second King Of Ancient Rome Who Succeeded Romulus – Did He Ever Exist?
Featured Stories | Dec 10, 2025 -
Unexplained Mystery In Ohio – Unusual Force Puzzles Scientists
Featured Stories | Dec 21, 2018 -
Surya: Hindu Sun God Who Illuminates The World, Our Lives And Disperses Darkness, Destroys Diseases, And Enemies
Featured Stories | Dec 1, 2020 -
Ancient Treasure Hidden In Perplexing Secret Underground Labyrinth In France – Discovery And Forbidden Excavations – Part 2
Ancient Mysteries | Jan 19, 2020 -
Tullus Hostilius: A Warlike Roman King Who Succeeded Numa Pompilius And Feared Prophecies
Featured Stories | Jul 30, 2026 -
Hadrian’s Wall: North-West Frontier Of The Roman Empire For Nearly 300 Years
Featured Stories | Sep 1, 2020 -
Abduction Of Idun, Goddess-Keeper Of Golden Juvenile Apples In Norse Mythology
Featured Stories | Nov 16, 2019 -
Archaeological Evidence Of Human Presence In America 250,000 Years Ago?
Featured Stories | Mar 5, 2024 -
Ancient Symbol Fleur-de-lis: It’s Meaning And History Explained
Ancient Symbols | May 19, 2020 -
Mystery Of The Okefenokee Swamp Deepens: Unexplained Sightings Of Unknown Beings, Puzzling Lights, And Giant Skeletons Reported
Featured Stories | Nov 26, 2024 -
Illapa: Powerful Master Of Clouds, Rain And Hail – Worshipped By Inca People
Featured Stories | Jul 7, 2016 -
Young Boy Finds Baffling Artifacts In New Mexico Predating The Anasazi, The ‘Ancient Ones’
Featured Stories | Aug 6, 2024 -
Yuki-Onna ‘Lady Of The Snow’: A Female Demon And Symbol Of Death In Japanese Mythology
Featured Stories | Mar 7, 2019 -
William The Conqueror: Ruthless And Powerful Ruler Who Changed Britain Forever
Featured Stories | Feb 25, 2023 -
Neanderthals: How A Carnivore Diet May Have Led To Their Demise
Featured Stories | Nov 7, 2022



