The Mayan colors of humanity – red, white, black and yellow – represent many important aspects of Mayan astrology. Each color has meaning and the Mayans believed the meanings affected the world around them.
For the Mayans, the colors are associated with the first humans; the days, weeks and years in the Mayan calendar; and astrology signs.
The First Humans and the Beginning of the Colors of Humanity
The Popol Vuh, one of the few remaining sacred books of the Ancient Mayan, tells how the gods made the first humans.
The Mayans call it xi’im. The Spanish call it maize. The English call it corn. But, for the gods, it was the best option for molding and forming the first humans. They ground yellow and white corn and added water. With the resulting dough, the gods formed the first humans.
White is the color of truth and improvement. Yellow is the color of wisdom and completeness. The gods formed the first humans from these two colors of humanity.
The Mayan Calendar and How the Colors of Humanity Relate to It
The four colors of humanity are associated with the 13-year calendar cycle with each color being present for a 13-year block of time. Also days and weeks have a color associated with them – every day for 4 days the colors move from red to white to black to yellow. For every 13-day period, the colors remain static for the 13-day cycle, then move to the next color for 13-days. Color wheels turn within color wheels, such as, 4 days of color turn twice within 13 days, which then, turn many times within a 13-year time block.
The colors tell us several things. Each one has a specific purpose. Red as the initiation color helps us see that new things are happening to us and to the world. When a 4-day block of color is red, within a red 13-day cycle, within a red 13-year cycle, it tells us that momentous beginnings will occur.
Mayan Astrology Signs and the Colors of Humanity
The Mayan astrology sign kej (manik) is associated with the colors of humanity (red, white, black and yellow). This astrology sign represents the four of several things – elements, humans, directions and colors. Those born under the sign kej seek harmony, balance and stability in their world.
Colors of Humanity Meanings
Red colors of humanity meaning
Red is associated with fire, the direction east and the emotional side of humans. This color is meant to initiate. The initiation phase is the origination of the remaining colors.
The color red is often associated with anger, war, things moving quickly, and authority. When the red colors of humanity is present, as shown in the Mayan calendar or an astrological sign, then calmness must prevail. Looking at irritations, issues, or problems in a rational manner, takes the emotional side of the color red out of the picture.
As the direction east is associated with the color red, remember that the sun will rise again tomorrow. A red day is another day in which to assess the potential for a better or a different outlook on any situation.
White colors of humanity meaning
White is associated with air, the direction north and the spiritual side of humans. This color is meant to improve. The improvement phase takes what we have learned in the initiation or red phase and makes it better or expands it.
The color white is associated with truth, purity, innocence, and the essence of being human. Searching for facts, seeing the good in bad tidings, and learning from our mistakes, help us make good choices or gives us a better understanding of the world around us.
As the direction north is associated with the white colors of humanity, see this time as a cleansing. Winter winds blow cold and snow purifies the ground while we wait for the cycle to move.
Black colors of humanity meaning
Black is associated with water, the direction west and the physical part of a human. This color is meant to transform. The cycle that was initiated and improved must now be transformed. The transformation is not a simple change, but a radical shift from what was to something new and different.
Many people see the color black as darkness, destruction and even death; however, this is a narrow point of view. As a transforming color, black seeks to bring us into a new stage. This new stage can be better health, seeing things in a new light, or a possible change in attitude.
The transformation may not be easy, but to see what is on the other side, we must be willing to spend time in this transition.
Yellow colors of humanity meaning
Yellow is associated with earth, the direction south and the mental part of a human. The color yellow is meant to complete. The cycle of initiation, improvement, and transformation is completed within yellow.
The color yellow represents maturity and wisdom. Whatever has been going on in the world or your life should now be finished. Transformation has occurred and knowledge has been gained from the cycle. The color yellow gives us firm ground to stand on and roots us to the earth, which gives us power.
And yet, for all the work we have done to complete this cycle, it begins again with another day, or 13-day cycle, or 13-year cycle.
From a Mayan astrology perspective, we are only as complete as the time we have spent moving through one of the cycles.
If you enjoyed this article on the Mayan Colors of Humanity, you might also like:
- Guide to Mayan Long Count Astrology
- Mayan Astrology: The Trecenas
- Mayan Astrology: Lords of the Night
- Celtic Animal Signs and Meanings
- 9th House Astrology and the Planets in the 9th House
