Walter Paz Jol // Custom Glyphs // Xunantunich Wayo'ob Project

Walter Paz Joj is a multimedia artist and a Maya writer, or Tz’ib from Pan Ajchel, Guatemala. The ability to combine his unique style with ancient glyphs creates timeless art that reaches into the past and lives in the present.

Being able to see the names of these pieces in Maya was such an important part of telling this story and having Walter create them gave this project another layer of beautiful distinction from any other project that has been created here at Smokovich Designs.

to see more of his prolific work please check out his instagram: @walter.paz.joj

Xunantunich Wayo'ob (compact version)

This compact version technically translates to Xunàan Tuunich Wahyo’ob and means Xunantunich Spirit Realm. Can you spot the similarities between this version and the expanded one?

"Xunantunich Wayo'ob (expanded version)

This image is Walter’s expanded artistic version of the more compact glyphs and also translates to Xunantunich Wayo’ob. Technically this translates to Xunàan Tuunich Wahyo’ob but can be written either way. Can you notice the similarities between the two images?

Chaak

Mayan god of rain. Usually associated with the God of lightning and thunder, K’awiil.

K'awiil

God of lighting. Often associated with Chaak, the God of rain.

Suum

Translates to “divine rope” and represents the rope that ties the realms of the heavens to the earthly plane.

Tupaj

Translates to “ear flare”. The ear flare was and still is an important piece of jewelry worn among the Maya and their Gods.

U'tup

Translates to “his ear flare” and specifically refers to the ear flare that Chaak is wearing in the frieze at Xunantunich.