Maximon: A Blend of Mayan Tradition and Catholic Influence

Maximon, also called San Simón, is a unique Mayan deity and folk saint deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of Santiago Atitlán. His effigy, a wooden figure adorned with colorful garlands and scarves, resides in a different household each year, cared for by attendants who stay by the altar, often drinking and smoking alongside it. The worship of Maximon is believed to have begun during the Spanish conquest of the Maya, representing a syncretism of religious beliefs. He is considered a blend of historical, biblical, and Mayan mythological figures, including Pedro de Alvarado, Judas Iscariot, Saint Peter, and the Mayan god Mam. Some legends say Maximon was hired to protect the virtue of wives while their husbands were away, but instead, he seduced them. Another tale says he was a wooden figure created by shamans to protect the village from witches, but when he began harming the people, they twisted his head and broke his legs. Today, Maximon represents both light and dark, acting as a trickster, a womanizer, and a protector of couples. He is offered money, tobacco, and alcohol, and is known for granting both good and bad wishes. Visiting Maximon offers a glimpse into the intertwined Mayan beliefs and present-day Christianity in Santiago Atitlán.