30 May 2025 / 10 House
Article suitable for Top Juniors and above
Find out moreDifferent colours of maize and their religious symbolism
ORIGINAL QUESTION received from - and thanks to - Devin Manley: Did the Mexica-Aztecs believe different colored maize had different religious properties unique to a certain color or color combination? How much was maize revered within their culture and religion, I wondered how they explained or viewed different colored maize. (Answered by Ian Mursell/Mexicolore)
As you will know, maize has always been a sacred foodstuff in Mesoamerica, the mainstay of the diet in that part of the world for thousands of years. According to the Maya sacred book Popol Vuh maize is the essence of human existence; after several failed attempts, the gods created humans out of yellow and white coloured maize. Going further back in time, the Olmecs were the first to associate the green maize plants with two precious symbols of prestige and abundance - jade and quetzal feathers.
Just as humans were equated with maize, the Mesoamerican world itself was conceived of as a four-sided field cultivated by gods. The plant was closely associated with the structure of the universe, each of the four main colours of maize grains (red, black, white and yellow) linked to one of the cardinal directions, with the green plant itself representing the central axis mundi. Viewed with profound respect and admiration, maize symbolised not just human sustenance but a fundamental component of the universe. Rulers have over time promoted myths linked to maize, and have even proclaimed their belief in being reincarnated as the god of maize (such as 7th century Maya king Pakal of Palenque).
As a life-giving gift from the gods, it’s only natural that maize has long been at the heart of rituals, festivals and offerings, as humans endeavour constantly to pay the gods back, in a never-ending cycle of giving and receiving.
Main source:-
• Vela, Enrique (2011) ‘El simbolismo del maíz’, Arqueología Mexicana, Special edition no. 38, March 2011, pp. 28-32.
Picture sources:-
• Pix 1 & 2: illustrations © and courtesy of Luis Garay
• Pic 3: photo from Mexicolore archives (source unknown).
Comments (1)
Devin Manley
21st Apr 2025
Thank you so much for this great response to my question! It’s always wonderful to learn more about the Mesoamerican worldview through such unique perspectives.
Mexicolore
Thanks to you for asking a great question!
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