In San Gervasio Mayan Ruins
Cozumel, Mexico
Over the several weeks, “Sunday Trees” series featured some of my favorite captures taken during my late March journey to the Western Caribbean (via cruise). The San Gervasio Mayan Ruins, in the middle of island, was our stop-over trip while on the island of Cozumel, Mexico. I thought it might be interesting to show the ruins. You might recognize some of the previously featured trees; this will show them in the order in which I viewed them during the tour.
About the ruins:
The island of Cozumel is known as the “Island of women”. In terms of importance in the Mayan culture, Cozumel’s San Gervasio Ruins are considered more significant site than the ruins of Tulum. Tulum was favored a coastal “watch-post”; San Gervasio contains the temple built to honor the godess Ixchel (pronounced “ee shell”). The mysteries of Mayan culture are found at the largest archeological site on the island. Thought as a strategic location from both the commercial and political points of view, San Gervasio was also a sacred place for the Maya women.
Ixchel is the Mayan goddess of fertility and rain. In ancient times, every Maya woman was expected, at least once in her lifetime. Mothers and daughters would make the journey to Cozumel from the mainland to make offerings to Ixchel for her family’s fertility and crop sustenance. Inhabited from 200 AD to the Spanish conquest, San Gervasio was the sanctuary of the Goddess Ixchel, as well as an important commercial, political and cultural center. Engravings at the site relate to events all over the Mayan world.
Although this concludes the trees of the Mayan Ruins, I have more from our island-hopping in upcoming Sundays. I sincerely hope you have enjoyed them as much as I enjoyed “spotting” them.
For previous episodes of Sunday Trees
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Other Sunday Trees: SiggiofMaine
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© by rgb for “On Dragonfly Wings with Buttercup Tea”, 2011 – 2012
"On Dragonfly Wings with Buttercup Tea" 
Loved that wonderful slideshow Becca.. Loved the trees which looked as if they had heart faces! and the ones with tall roots which seemed like they were two Giraffes with long necks entwined.. I love to see things in limbs of trees and roots.. And you Know I just Love Trees…
Wishing you a wonderful Weekend Becca.. Hugs to you my friend ~Sue xx
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Thank you for the wonderful story, I had not known this. And for the trees!
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What a remarkable site that is…and your photos and explanations are excellent…thanks!
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From the time I was a wee girl, I’ve enjoyed reading about the Aztec, Inca and Mayan peoples. I wonder what they would have thought if they had known we’d be so tuned into their ruins many thousands of years later.
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I have been to Cozumel numerous times…I love there. Beautiful slide show!
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Fascinating stuff! I’ve never been to Mexico.
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Thanks for the commentary about your trip..What you wrote was so interesting I had to go back and look at those wonderful photos you took. I’ll never get to see that for myself and I appreciate the entire post and the time it took to put together. Will look at the post more than once !
Peace,
Siggi in Downeast Maine
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What a marvelous site, and slideshow. It’s really quite interesting how the ruins and the trees seem to belong together. So often our buildings and structures seems to bear no relationship to the surroundings. Something to think about.
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