A Who's Who of World Mythology : The God A


The God A is known also as Hunhau or Ahpuch, the Mayan god of death and ruler of Mitnal in the West. As one of several lords of Death, he is represented by a glyph with projecting vertebra and a skull-like face in the Codices. He is often given canine attributes or the head of an owl.

Another name for this deity is Yum Cimil who is depicted with a skull head, projecting ribs, and exposed vertebra. He may be portrayed with bloated, decomposing flesh and bell-like decorations in his hair. His sacrificial victims were drown in a cenote or sacred pool.

The Aztec god of death, Mictlantecuhtli or Michlantecuhtli who ruled in the North or South is also equated with the God A. His symbol is very similar to the Mayan hieroglyph with the inclusion of a sacrificial flint knife. Mictlantecuhtli and his wife Mictlancihuatl ruled over Mictlan or Miclan. He was lord of the eleventh hour of the day and the tenth day of the week, and she was ruler of the fifth hour of the night. His symbol was the itzcuintli or dog.