Maya pilgrimage
Changing pilgrimage
Changing pilgrimage
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After the [Spanish](/wiki/Spanish_conquest_of_Yucat%C3%A1n "Spanish conquest of Yucatán") conquest, these pilgrimages changed somewhat to incorporate [Catholic](/wiki/Catholicism "Catholicism") celebrations and saints. Of course, some of the pilgrimages stayed devoted to their traditional Maya gods so Catholic priests could not be present because it was deemed heretical by the [Catholic Church](/wiki/Catholic_Church "Catholic Church"). This combination of Christian and Maya beliefs left scholars divided over whether the Maya could truly be considered Christians. Though they adhere to the classic forms of Christianity, like prayers, mass, worship of saints, and celebration of events on the Christian calendar, the Maya celebrate much like their ancestors did through dance, pilgrimages, and other pre\-conquest rituals. Although the Maya have not always been Christian, they have used the cross since before the Spanish conquest. One such pilgrimage to the village of Xokén in [Yucatán](/wiki/Yucat%C3%A1n "Yucatán") is centered around a large carved stone cross. The local Maya have inhabited this area since before the arrival of the Spanish and several 16th century Maya documents have written accords about the pilgrimage to this site. This cross is found to be placed at the end of an ancient Maya road that linked several of the ancient Maya [Postclassic](/wiki/Postclassic_period "Postclassic period") cities. Also interesting is that these cities were all at or near major sites of rebellion against the Spanish. Another site of pre\-conquest crosses lies at Chumpon, where there is a myth that crosses appeared on trees of mahogany and spoke to the Maya. It was said that these crosses protected the Maya and helped them struggle against their enemy. This tradition of the cross symbol, though developed separately in the Maya and Christian societies, continues to link the two traditions together.


How do the Maya's use of the cross relate to their rebellion against the Spanish?