| The Mayan religion also known as Maya, was born | | | | night time sky. The Calendar is dated as far as |
| in Mesoamerica approximately 250 AD. This | | | | the year 2012. From this point on, some people |
| particular religion was influenced by the Olmecs. | | | | believe it could result in the end of the world. |
| Within the first 650 years, the civilization of the | | | | Others are still feeling skeptical about this |
| Mayans ended up taking over 40 large cities which | | | | impetuous prediction. |
| laid out across Mexico, North Belize and | | | | These beautiful cities had been abandoned by the |
| Guatemala. This period of their time was called | | | | Mayans around 900 AD. It is said that the culture |
| the Classic Period. | | | | declined quite rapidly, making them leave their |
| The total population of the Mayan peoples | | | | homes and sacred centers. |
| increased to be about 2 million people. As they | | | | Because of war, people believe that this is the |
| lived a rural and agricultural life, the Mayans ended | | | | cause for the abrupt leaving and declining of the |
| up covering most of Guatemala with their | | | | Mayan peoples. |
| population. Their cities were kept mostly in | | | | Still in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, lived many |
| regards to ceremonial practices, leaving them to | | | | more Mayans. As farmers, they lived quite happily |
| build centers where they would have their | | | | and content during this period, known as the |
| ceremonies and give sacrifices to their gods. | | | | Post-Classic Period. Unfortunately, the Spanish |
| The Mayan peoples were so in touch with nature, | | | | came into their territory and conquered the |
| that many of the Mayan Gods were known to | | | | Mayans in the early 16th century. Any Mayans |
| have created our entire world from nature | | | | who were left, ended up being converted into |
| starting with one tree. This tree was said to be | | | | Roman Catholicism. |
| connected with the heavens and all of the | | | | In today's society, The Mayan peoples are located |
| underworlds as well. Not only were the Gods very | | | | mostly in the Southern Mexico region. Still to this |
| important to the Mayan peoples, but they also felt | | | | day they practice their Mayan religion along with |
| as though there would not be life without these | | | | some Roman Catholicism. The Mayan culture is |
| gods. | | | | can be seen as a fascinating and beautiful culture |
| During their time, the Mayans developed a | | | | that lived throughout history. If you are interested |
| calendar known as the Maya Calendar. This | | | | in The Mayan religion and would like to know |
| Calendar is said to be one of the most | | | | more about their history, you can look it up online. |
| documented and best understood calendars of | | | | Several sites are dedicated to giving knowledge |
| our time. With predictions made from this | | | | about the Mayan religion. Whether you are a |
| calendar, people looked forward to the future | | | | skeptic or a believer there truly is something to |
| hoping that the calendar would prove itself right. | | | | get from reading about the Mayans and how they |
| These predictions came from the Mayan peoples | | | | lived. |
| themselves by studying the constellations in the | | | | |