Maya Symbols · The Diamond

The embroidery designs that are incorporated in Y’abal’s products are traditional symbols from the communities of Pacutama and Chuicutama. Each indigenous community in Guatemala has their own particular style and motif of embroidery designs.Each woman is an artist and takes creative freedom in the expression of her embroidery patterns.

One common design in the communities of Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan is the diamond shape. Generally, a figure with four corners symbolizes the face of the earth. In Mayan traditions, the earth has four corners and four elements. The diamond is an embodiment of time and space in Mayan spirituality and is a motif that dates back to the classic Mayan period.

In fact, Y’abal’s logo is based on the traditional Mayan diamond design!