Travel: San Gervasio, Cozumel (1 Viewer)

[MaryP]

San Gervasio was the holiest of holies for Mayan women in the Yucatan to visit and pay homage to the goddess Ix Chel, who held the power of fertility, child birth, medicine and the moon. She was also goddess of death and sometimes floods. She is usually represented as an elderly woman with a tortoise shell on her back, snakes writhing from her headdress and sometimes pouring water from a jug in her hands.



The ruins of the ruler of Cozumel's home was here. Called Las Manitas (Little Hands), red handprints dot the wall. The exact meaning of rhe hands is debated. To me, it was the most touching and memorable part of the ruins. There is something so directly human about hands. It brought all those women pilgrims of the past to life, praying for healthy children and safe birth, and thanking her for those favors.



You really need a guided tour; spring for the added expense. Otherwise, it's mostly a lot of piles of rock. A good overview below.

Visit to the Mayan Ruins of San Gervasio | Family Well Traveled

Family Well Traveled tours the Mayan Ruins of San Gervasio on the Mexican Island of Cozumel. Discover how the Mayan worship Ix Chel, the fertility goddess.

familywelltraveled.com

Black coral, which is rare, is sold all over Cozumel. Pics don't do it justice. Do dicker!