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Ah Puch
Also known as: God A, Cizin, Kisin, Yum Cimil
By Elizabeth Stein for Mythos Atlas. About the author. Editorial notes are grounded in the site's cited sources and can be challenged through the contact page.
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About Ah Puch
The Lord of Death
Ah Puch is the fearsome god of death and chief lord of Xibalba, the Maya underworld. His appearance is horrifying: a skeletal figure with exposed bones, rotting flesh, and bells that announce his approach.
Names of Death
The death god is known by many names: Ah Puch (The Decomposing One), Cizin/Kisin (The Stinking One), Yum Cimil (Lord of Death).
Ruler of Xibalba
Ah Puch rules Xibalba (Place of Fear), the Maya underworld, alongside other death lords. The Popol Vuh describes the Hero Twins' journey through Xibalba and their triumph over its lords.
Owl Messengers
Ah Puch's messengers are owls, birds of ill omen. The hoot of an owl near a house foretold death.
Origin Story
Ah Puch has existed since the beginning, for death is as old as life itself. He rules Xibalba alongside other death lords, receiving and testing the souls of the dead.
Cross-Pantheon Parallels
Similar deities across different mythologies
- Mictlantecuhtli(aztec-pantheon)
Both are skeletal death gods ruling the underworld
- Hades(greek-pantheon)
Both rule realms of the dead
Primary Sources
Historical texts and references
“The lords of Xibalba are One Death and Seven Death.”
Domains
deathunderworlddisasterdecay
Symbols
skullskeletal bodyowldeath bells