Abstract

SZYMAńSKI, Jan. Between Death and Divinity: Rethinking the Significance of Triadic Groups in Ancient Maya Culture. Estud. cult. maya [online]. 2014, vol.44, pp.119-166. ISSN 0185-2574.

This paper aims to gather the most complete list of recorded Triadic Groups from the Maya Area, and subsequently analyze various aspects of their spatial and temporal occurrence, as well as their architecture, urban context, and iconography, in order to re-evaluate the existing theories and, possibly, arrive at a new one. The final conclusion states that both previously existing theories, namely those interpreting Triadic Groups as either earthly replicas of the Cosmic Hearth, or architectural stages for king's accession rituals, cannot be entirely dismissed. However, they demonstrate possible secondary functions and meanings of the Triadics, limited to a certain number of known triadic assemblages. A more general interpretation is introduced, according to which Triadic Groups can be perceived as architectural stages and replicas of the Flower Mountain at the specific moment of the Maize God's resurrection.

Keywords : triadic group; Maize God; Flower Mountain; maya architecture; specialized assemblages.