Seven Macaw

WHILE the face of the earth was only a little brightened, before there was a
sun, there was one who puffed himself up named Seven Macaw. There was a sky
and an earth, but the faces of the sun and moon were dim. He therefore declared
himself to be the bright sign for those who were drowned in the flood. He was like an
enchanted person in his essence.

“I am great. I dwell above the heads of the people who have been framed and
shaped. I am their sun. I am also their light. And I am also their moon.

“Then be it so. Great is my brightness. By the brilliance of my silver and gold I
light the walkways and pathways of the people.

“My eyes sparkle with glittering blue/green jewels. My teeth as well are jade
stones, as brilliant as the face of the sky. This, my beak, shines brightly far into the
distance like the moon.

“My throne is gold and silver. When I go forth from my throne, I brighten the face
of the earth.

“Thus I am the sun. I am the moon as well for those who are born in the light,
those who are begotten in the light.

“Then be it so. My vision reaches far,” said Seven Macaw.

Now Seven Macaw was not truly the sun, but he puffed himself up in this way
because of his plumage and his gold and his silver. His vision did not reach beyond
where he sat. It did not really reach everywhere beneath the sky.

Thus Seven Macaw puffed himself up in the days and months before the faces of
the sun, moon, and stars could truly be seen. He desired only greatness and transcendence
before the light of the sun and moon were revealed in their clarity. This was in the era
when the flood was made because of the effigies of carved wood.

Now we shall tell how Seven Macaw died; how he was defeated at the time when
people were made by the Framer and the Shaper.


- Popol Vuh