According to the Mayan worldview, nahuales (nah WALL es) represent one’s vital energy that protect and guide each person throughout their life, represented by a spirit animal, stone, metal, number, color, and other unique information. Assigned to each person according to the day of their birth and determined by the Mayan calendar, nahuales influence the personality, destiny, and mission of the person born on that day. They are highly personal, but also represent the essence of the Mayan people and their culture collectively.

Our artisan Antonia selected the nahual Kej as the theme for her hand-beaded artwork in our Beading Wonders Collection. For the Mayan people, Kej is deeply linked to nature and keeps balance between humans and Mother Nature. It represents the four elements (fire, earth, air, and water); the four cardinal points (east, west, north, and south) which are essential to Mayan ceremonies; and the four human states of being (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual).  

People born on the day of Kej are analytical, stable, astute, and mentally agile. As seekers of power, they will experience failure frequently but tend to always try again, and are willing to work hard to get what they want. They are quick to fall in love and are obsessive in relationships, yet, their intelligence and charisma allows them to adapt quickly. They tend to be passionate about the arts, particularly writing and music.

The glyph: Each nahual is represented by a glyph. Kej’s glyph, shown on the right side of the art, features a closed hand. This depicts the closing of an energy circuit that charges the four cardinal points.

The animal: In the ancient Mayan world, Kej means deer, which symbolizes strength, agility, and the protection of forests. The Indigenous Maya used deer for transportation, and when the colonizers arrived with horses, the Maya gave horses the same name. The deer’s four strong legs are associated with the four cardinal points and four elements; it is thought that deer have one leg in each of the cardinal points. This idea further expresses Kej’s balance and harmony.

Corn: Surrounding the deer’s head in this art piece are ears of corn. Corn is considered a central element in Mayan culture and spirituality because it symbolizes life, fertility, and sustenance. It is a tangible connection humans have to the land because corn is so necessary for the survival of the community. This symbol of abundance connects to the balance and harmony that Kej is known to represent.

The artisan:  A Handmade by Friendship Bridge® artisan since 2018, Antonia hails from San Jorge La Laguna. Raised by her grandparents after both her parents abandoned her, Antonia was taught to weave sashes, huipiles (traditional Guatemalan blouses), and traditional textiles at a young age. She started a jewelry business in 2007 and has been able to improve her living conditions with her income. Her and her husband’s combined incomes meet the needs of their eight children. She has learned the value of knowing how to effectively manage a business, how to meet customer demand, how to diversify her offerings, and feels a greater sense of empowerment as a result.

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Beading Wonders is made possible through generous support from our donor, Elizabeth “Betty” Chambers Toguchi, Foster City, California. Handmade by Friendship Bridge® commissioned its Indigenous Mayan clients to create hand-beaded artwork that showcases their skills while also bringing to light a part of their ancestral culture that is often overlooked.