Xaman Ek
Maya · deity · cosmogonic · Recorded classification
The Maya had no compass and a great deal of long-distance trade, and the pole star is the one fixed thing in the sky. Making it a benevolent god of merchants is not symbolism, it is navigation. The registry held Ek Chuah, the other merchants' god, under the Yucatec key, and not this one under any key.
Domains
- merchants
- travel
- stars
Sources
- Xaman Ek is the Maya god of the North Star and of merchants, guided by the polar star on their journeys, who received roadside offerings from travellers.: Reference treatment of Xaman Ek, his star and his roadside cult. (secondary)