Maya Hero Twins

Hunahpu is a central figure in the Popol Vuh, the sacred text of the K'iche' Maya people of Guatemala. He is one of the Hero Twins, along with his brother Xbalanque, who defeat the lords of the underworld, the Xibalba, in a series of mythical ballgames. Hunahpu is often associated with the sun and is considered a cultural hero who brings light and knowledge to the world. In the K'iche' language, "Hunahpu" translates to "the one with the face of the sun." The name is also translatable to Hebrew as הונאפו (Hun'pu), though it lacks direct cultural significance in Hebrew. In other Mesoamerican languages, such as Yucatec Maya, the name is rendered as Hunabku. The myth of Hunahpu and Xbalanque is a foundational narrative in Maya cosmology, symbolizing the triumph of life and light over death and darkness.