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RESOURCE: Colourful birds to colour in

12th Sep 2020

Maya teaching resource: birds to colour in

This little feature focuses on a group of Mesoamerican birds, ranging from the exotic to the mundane. We’re grateful to Teresa Fajardo, a Mexican artist and teacher, who prepared these materials for workshops on the Maya in support of the World Museum Liverpool’s exhibition in 2015 - we’ve adapted her materials to provide a simple teaching resource.

‘The parakeet was very appreciated by Mesoamerican people. In Mexico there are two main species: orange-headed and white-headed, and their feathers were highly valued. They were captured to provide comfort for politicians and their families.’

‘The macaw was considered the bird of the Sun because when it flies at dawn the sunlight reflected from its wings producing flashes like fireworks. This inspired the priests to incorporate this bird into the worship of the Sun.’

‘Symbol of power, being the strongest bird of prey. It represented élite soldiers called the Warrior Eagles who were specially selected and trained. The Eagle symbol can be found in all Mesoamerican codices and the image of the Golden Eagle is embodied in the Mexican national flag.’

‘In Mexico there are several species of woodpecker, some with red crests and others with yellow heads. Because of its beauty, it was used in feather art and represented in codices such as the Codex Zouche-Nuttall (in the British Museum).’

‘The dove was a symbol of fidelity. As in many cultures doves were cared for by Mesoamerican people but also were consumed as food.’

‘The quail was a bird that was easy to catch so it became destined for sacrifices to “feed” the Sun God, as a symbol of the link between the Cosmos and Earth. It was associated with myths of the creation of Gods and humans.’

‘The turkey was considered as a bird of sacrifice. Pre-Hispanic people used its meat and feathers as they were able to domesticate it.’

And a bonus bird! ‘Also known by the Maya as the “night eagle”, the owl was often depicted in Maya art. As they are nocturnal birds of prey, the owl was obviously associated with the night and also with darkness, the underworld and death. The owl was seen as a messenger of the underworld and even as a manifestation of the gods of death. The ancient Maya also identified the owl with fertility as well as death, e.g. the Muan Owl was a bringer of rain and maize as well as being linked to the underworld.’