Xpiyacoc Character Analysis in Popol Vuh

Along with Xmucane, Xpiyacoc is one of the oldest gods in Mayan theology. He's known as the grandfather, and sometimes is referred to as "plate shaper, bowl shaper." Xpiyacoc helps create the world, but is largely absent from the narrative after that. With Xmucane, Xpiyacoc has two sons, One Hunahpu and Seven Hunahpu.

Xpiyacoc Quotes in Popol Vuh

The Popol Vuh quotes below are all either spoken by Xpiyacoc or refer to Xpiyacoc. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Origins, Customs, and the Mayan Culture Theme Icon

). Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the Simon & Schuster edition of Popol Vuh published in 1996.

So this is why monkeys look like people: they are a sign of a previous human work, human design—mere manikins, mere woodcarvings.

Related Characters: , , ,

Page Number and Citation: 73

Explanation and Analysis:

Xpiyacoc Character Timeline in Popol Vuh

The timeline below shows where the character Xpiyacoc appears in Popol Vuh. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...It will be an account of how the world was created by Sovereign Plumed Serpent, Xpiyacoc, and Xmucane. The narrator mentions that they're recording this story "amid the preaching of God,"... (full context)

...discuss how they might make a better human. They decide to call on the gods Xpiyacoc and Xmucane for help. (full context)

Sovereign Plumed Serpent and Hurricane ask Xmucane and Xpiyacoc if they should mold humans out of wood. Xmucane and Xpiyacoc reply that wood is... (full context)

...Hunahpu, brother of Seven Hunahpu. One and Seven Hunahpu are the children of Xmucane and Xpiyacoc, and One Hunahpu has two other sons, One Monkey and One Artisan, with his wife,... (full context)

...they're going first. When they reach Xmucane's hut, they explain the situation and learn that Xpiyacoc has just died. Rather than take their ball, they tie it up in Xmucane's roof... (full context)