Evelyn Morán Cojoc’s Maya Mural Illuminates Grandmother Earth’s Rich Gifts at Smithsonian Festival

Vivid Symbols and Life Stages in Maya Art

At a glance, visitors to the National Mall during the 2025 Smithsonian Folklife Festival were drawn to a series of colorful paintings depicting vital elements of Maya culture from Guatemala. Indigenous artist Evelyn Morán Cojoc crafted these works to tell a story about the land—marked by the quetzal, Guatemala’s national bird—and the essential crops that have nourished generations.

The series portrays different stages of life through symbols deeply rooted in Maya Cosmovision. For instance, one painting shows a fetus tucked within a cacao-shaped womb, emphasizing cacao’s role as both food and spiritual treasure since pre-Hispanic times.

From Childhood to Ancestral Wisdom

Another piece captures a baby blessing chili peppers, a gesture that resonated with mothers and grandmothers visiting the festival, sparking shared memories about multitasking in the kitchen while rocking a child. The adolescent phase highlights a girl surrounded by beans, her heart connected visually to a hummingbird—an emblem of positive messages and ancestral guidance in Maya belief.

The elderly woman in the final painting is enveloped by maize and other staple crops, representing a lifetime nurtured by the earth’s bounty. Such imagery stirred emotional connections from visitors, many of whom recounted their own familial traditions involving black beans and corn-based dishes.

The Four Cardinal Points and the Colors of Maize

Maya culture honors the four cardinal points as spiritual guides, echoing the four colors of maize that sustain life. Each direction correlates with a color and symbolic meaning:

These profound connections were visually embedded in the central mural figure: a young woman carrying four maize ears representing the colors and the ancestral heritage. Her handcrafted huipil (woven garment) and the red tupuy hair accessory narrate cultural identity, motherhood, and tradition, all woven into her attire.

The Role of Youth and Community in Cultural Legacy

Morán Cojoc’s project extended beyond her own artwork, involving young artists from Arlington and Silver Spring. These students—Kevin Cabrera, Selvin Vail Diaz, and Jairo Vásquez—collaborated in painting the expansive mural and imparted their insights on Maya culture’s future. Kevin, for example, also shared musical heritage through daily marimba performances, further enriching the immersive festival experience.

The Saq’ Be’ Path and the Journey of Life

The left section of the mural depicts Saq’ Be’, the sacred white path, flowing over water with majestic mountains in the distance. This path symbolizes guidance from ancestors and embraces the journey itself rather than focusing on the destination. The youth artists contributed personal memories, such as Jairo’s mornings fetching water with his mother, woven meaningfully into the mural’s narrative.

Cultural Exchange and Shared Traditions

The festival fostered unique exchanges, including encounters between Morán Cojoc and the Karen Weaving Circle from Minnesota, who uphold textile traditions from Burma. The dialogue crossed languages—English, Spanish, Maya Poqomchi’, and Karen—revealing shared techniques like backstrap loom weaving, embroidery, and symbolic motifs. Such moments underscored the universal power of cultural heritage, bridging continents and generations.

Mural’s Continuing Journey

Though originally displayed at the Smithsonian, the mural’s journey did not end there. It found a permanent home at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, where Selvin leads the Club Maya. This installation continues to inspire new audiences and serves as a living link to Maya heritage within the community.

Key Takeaways on Maya Symbolism and Community Connection

• Life stages in Maya culture are intimately tied to the land and crops, symbolized through distinctive imagery like cacao and maize.
• The four cardinal points and maize colors represent spiritual and agricultural cycles that sustain both people and earth.
• Youth involvement through art and music is vital in keeping cultural traditions vibrant and relevant.
• The Saq’ Be’ path motif embodies ancestral protection and the importance of the journey over the destination.
• Cultural traditions, such as weaving, can connect diverse indigenous communities internationally.

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Bridging Maya Tradition and Modern Travel Needs

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Pensieri finali

Evelyn Morán Cojoc’s mural and its collaborative creation offer a vivid tapestry of Maya life, spirituality, and ancestral wisdom, woven through symbols of crop cycles, cardinal directions, and community bonds. This artwork reminds us of the importance of honoring traditions while embracing youth engagement for a vibrant cultural future. Platforms like LocalsRide support such exploration by delivering reliable, transparent taxi and transfer services worldwide—helping travelers get exactly where they want to go, on their terms, with clear prices and trusted drivers. Whether it’s an airport transfer, city ride, or a private limousine, LocalsRide’s extensive options make it easy to book the best ride for any destination.