Chac

Chaac is the Rain God of the Maya. The maya felt a particular devotion for the deities controlling rain. Rain gods were worshipped from very ancient times, and were known as various names by the different Mesoamerican people. Chaac is also known as Chac and Chaahk among the ancient Maya. Chaac was also related to the four cardinal directions and was connected with a specific color.

Chac was the god of rain, storms, and lightening. He is represented holding axes and snakes that he used to hit the clouds which produced rain. He was assisted in these duties by dwarfs. The rain he produced assured the growth of corn and vegetation. Natural events such as storms and the dangerous hailstorms and hurricanes were believed to be the manifestations of the god.

The rain god had a strong relationship with rulers because rulers were considered to be rainmakers and could intercede with the gods. These rulers could reach the places where the rain gods dwelled and intercede with them for people. They lived on the top of mountains and in high forests hidden by clouds. In these places, the clouds were hit by Chaac and his helpers, then rains were announced by thunder and lightening.

We only have representations of Chaac from the Classic and Postclassic period. Images describing the rain god are on Classic period painted vessels and Postclassic codices. Chaac is found to be a human with characteristics of an animal. He has reptile attributes, fish scales, a curly nose and protruding lower lip. He holds a stone axe used to produce lighting and wears an elaborate headdress.

Ceremonies were held in honor of the rain god in each Maya city. Rituals to wish for rain took place in the fields. Sacrifices of young boys took place after dramatic periods such as a long period of drought. Rituals asking for rain are found for the Late Postclassical and Colonial times in the Yucatan.