Ch'ak
| Ch'ak | |
|---|---|
| |
.jpg) The Mask of Ch'ak was a common architectural motive in classical Mutuleses arts | |
| Other names | Chaahk, Chak Xib Ch'ak, Mamlab, Aktzin, Yum K'aknab', Kaharna, Teras Kol |
| Affiliation | Thirteen Creator Gods, rainmakers, Divine Monarchy |
| Weapon | K'awiil |
| Animals | Sharks, Owls |
| Tree | Ceiba |
| Color | Red - Blue |
Ch'ak is a major deity in the White Path. He is associated with lightning, thunder, storms, rains, river flows, war, and rulership. With his lightning axe, K'awiil, Ch'ak strikes the clouds and produces thunder and rain. He is venerated for his power and for the life he brings to the world. Although he is not counted among the creator gods, he is still one of the most worshipped deity of the White Path, alongside Itzamna the sun god.
Like other White Path deities, Ch'ak is both one and manifold. For example, four Ch'ak are based in the cardinal directions and wear the directional colors. In fact, there is no singular "Ch'ak" deity. Different kind of rain gods exist, such as the “Enraged Ch'ak”, “Nuturing Ch'ak”, “Majestic Ch'ak”, “Silent Ch'ak”, and so on, all representing both different kind of rain but also different natures and feelings associated with the god. When Ch'ak grow older he turns into the god of Rivers; Mamlab, who also has various aspects. These ones are generally associated with a specific river and its particular “temperaments”. Mamlab dies in the Ocean, where his body become the Dead God known as Yum K'aknab' until the vital energy of the Abyss - a part of the Underworld in the White Path mythology - brings him back to life as Ch'ak and the cycle start anew.
Ch'ak also has a complicated relationship with K'awiil, his war-axe and scepter. K’awiil is the Heart and Axe of Ch'ak, his foremost servant and messenger but also his mind and power. Ch'ak is K’awiil first pupil and outer shell, but also its master and handler. And even if the two can be seen acting on their own, the White Path "Orthodoxy" consider K'awiil and Ch'ak to be two aspects of the same god.
This multiplicity of Ch'ak also allowed the association of many deities across the globe to his figure and to popularize his cult worldwide. In the Mutul, he is part of the State religion as the K'uhul Ajaw, the monarch of the country, claim to be its mortal aspect and incarnation.