Ceiba tree: Portal to the Underworld

The Ceiba tree (Ceiba pentandra) is very important in Guatemala. For one, the Ceiba tree is Guatemala’s national tree. There are Ceiba trees all over Guatemala. The Maya believed that Ceiba trees were portals to Xibalbá (The Underworld). Xibalba is described in the Popol Vuh as a court below the surface of the Earth associated with death and with twelve gods or powerful rulers known as the Lords of Xibalba (source: Wikipedia).

Ceibas have been sacred trees for over 2,000 years and the Ceiba tree spines show up often in Mayan art and pottery. The Ceiba tree also appears in the 5 centavos coins.

Do you know how many Ceiba tree are there in La Antigua Guatemala municipality?

3 Responses to "Ceiba tree: Portal to the Underworld"

Eric says:
March 30, 2011 at 2:55 pm
No idea how many Ceibas there are in La Antigua, but…did you say that the Ceiba is on the 5 centavo coin ? I found a 5-centavo during my last visit; it’s very small. I don’t even think I noticed the Ceiba tree.
….Maybe a ‘fantasma’ dropped it ? (hint, hint) 😀
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1. Rudy says:
  April 3, 2011 at 4:07 pm
  @Eric, I’m not sure either. At first I thought this was the only one in the municipio. Then someone mention there was another in my pueblo and later someone else mention another in Santa Catarina. So we’ll see after I photograph them all. 😉
  Reply
Julie Boley says:
October 24, 2022 at 5:50 am
I live in Florida and have a ceiba tree director across from my apartment,it’s so close the branches and leaves touch my bedroom window
And roof.I have been dealing with a haunting ever since I saw orbs and took photos of the tree at night,not knowing the background.ive captured demonic creatures in photos ,my husband and son have seen actual apparations,I find markings on my body that appear and disappear,strange petroglyph markings appear.i had paranormal investigators come December,and confirmed my place is haunted some of the things mentioned in Maya culture like bird deities….I’ve seen…it’s scary and evil!
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Ceiba tree: Portal to the Underworld

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