Inspired by Maya mythology, this special deck of playing cards comes in two special versions dedicated to ancient Mayan Mythology: "Maya Sun Playing Cards" and "Maya Moon Playing Cards." A collector's 2-deck set is also available.
Key features of "Maya Playing Cards" by Bacon Magic:
- Foil and 3D embossing on tuck case
- Full customized deck of cards
- Each face card features the original illustration of a Maya god or goddess
- Premium Pantone metallic ink on back
- Printed by Bacon Playing Card Company(BPCC) in China
About "Maya Playing Cards"
Maya mythology encompasses all the Maya tales in which deities, personified forces of nature, and the heroes interacting with them play major roles. The Mayans believed that the origins of most natural and cultural phenomena were set out, often with the moral aim of defining the ritual relationship between humankind and its environment.
Scholars have pointed out that in Maya mythology, the gods and goddesses had different names and manifestations; stories occurred in assorted forms; scenes and figures shifted with confusing suddenness. However, beneath these seeming inconsistencies lay the shared belief that the universe was an orderly place and that proper behaviors toward the gods were crucial to maintaining its balance and harmony.
The Mayans were ardent astronomers. They believed that celestial bodies were gods and interpreted their movements as gods traveling among Earth, the underworld, and other celestial destinations. Since these gods were greatly involved in human affairs (to the point that many events were planned according to certain celestial moments; dynasties often claimed to have descended from the sun or the moon), the Mayans heavily studied every aspect of the sky, especially the sun and the moon.
The Jokers use similar visuals to those on the boxes but against faded backgrounds:
The Ace of the Spade is distinguished by the illustration of Chichen Itza, a large pre-Columbian city built by the Mayans of the Terminal Classic period.
Chichen Itza, one of the largest Maya cities built, remains one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico today.
As for the back design, the symbol at the center is known as the Hunab Ku (or the Galactic Butterfly). Often depicted as a black-and-white spiral galaxy, it resembles the yin-yang symbol of Asia. Similarly, it represents the harmonious merging of opposites, the duality in all things, and the one and only God. Serving as a bridge that connects goodness and evil, men and women, life and death, consciousness and unconsciousness, etc., the Hunab Ku is a symbol of order, balance, wholeness, unity, and the conservation of energy in the universe.
The ring-shaped patterns are made up of Maya glyphs (artistically rendered). They represented words or syllables that could be combined to form any word or concept in the Maya language.
The tuck box is protected & decorated by a packaging sleeve with hollowed-out design.
About "Maya Sun Playing Cards"
The sun was of utmost importance to the Mayans. The Maya sun god, Kinich Ahau, was one of the most powerful gods of the Mayan pantheon. He shines in the sky all day before transforming into a jaguar at night to roam the Maya underworld. The Mayans were experts at predicting solar phenomena such as eclipses, solstices, and equinoxes. The solar cycles formed the basis of the Maya calendar.
About "Maya Moon Playing Cards"
The moon was one of the most enigmatic and important elements of Maya mythology, which often associated it with a maiden, an old woman, or a rabbit. The Maya moon goddess is Ixchel, the patroness of fertility and the creation of life. The Mayans were aware of the moon's influence on tidal waves, harvests, and fertility, so they dedicated themselves to identifying and recording its phases.
Special "Maya Playing Cards 2-Deck Set" for Collectors
Avid deck collector's will love the special 2-deck set of "Maya Playing Cards" that comes with 1 "Maya Sun Deck" and 1 "Maya Moon Deck" in a premium, luminous black cardboard collector's box.