What was the primary practice of honoring gods in Mayan culture?

Human sacrifice of captives was a significant aspect of Mayan religious practices, reflecting the culture's belief in the importance of appeasing their gods to ensure favor, agricultural fertility, and societal stability. The Maya held a firm conviction that their deities required both material offerings and the sacrifices of blood to maintain the cosmic order and ensure the continuation of life. These sacrifices were often performed during important religious ceremonies and were believed to be vital for sustaining the balance between the human world and the divine.

While building elaborate temples represents the architectural achievements of the Maya and underscores their religious devotion, it primarily served as venues for rituals rather than the core practice itself. Fasting and prayer also played roles in religious life, particularly as personal acts of devotion, but they were not the central ceremonial practices. Creating detailed calendars was crucial for agriculture and scheduling religious events, yet it was not directly an act of honoring the gods in itself. The focus on human sacrifice reflects the extraordinary lengths the Maya went to in seeking divine favor through tangible and dramatic acts of worship.