The Maya Believed in Fairies.

Maya in the Yucatan Peninsula and Guatemala believed in mythical spirits. They had their own interpretation of fairies, similar to those seen in Western literature. The Maya referred to their "fairies" as Aluxes.

Aluxes are characterized as small animals with a Mayan appearance. They, like other magical creatures, are mostly undetectable. In Mayan society, aluxes served a role. They may be able to safeguard the land, crops, and animals.

Sculptures of the Aluxes were constructed out of clay and wood. The Maya thought that shamans helped the Aluxes come to life. The shamans would set Aluxes sculptures in key locations that need protection. The ritual of mixing a Mayan's blood with the mud from the region that needed protection took weeks to build an Alux.

Because Aluxes were supposed to be older than the Maya themselves, they were adored. They are supposed to be the ones who constructed the large Mayan cities. They worked in the dark as supernatural beings, and when the sun rose, they turned to stone. According to the Maya, the wondrous little Aluxes might also be mischievous. They were mischievous and enjoyed making people laugh. Because the Aluxes were linked to the underworld and were thought to be wicked, not all Mayan would have desired an Alux sculpture on their land.

An Alux should not be named aloud, according to Mayan legend, since it may become enraged. Regardless, the Maya and their culture placed a high value on the belief in Aluxes. This is one of the interesting facts about the ancient Maya civilization that the tourist so surprised.