Bear Deity of Maya
In Maya cosmology the bear appears in the mythology of highland Maya regions where the spectacled bear historically roamed. While jaguars dominate lowland Maya animal symbolism, Maya communities of the Guatemalan highlands incorporated the bear into their celestial understanding. The Maya associated bears with the god of the Pleiades constellation, recognizing the bear's connection to the sky through Ursa Major. Some highland traditions speak of a bear deity known as Huh Kaan, a protector of the milpa who ensures soil fertility and harvest success, linking the bear to the central Maya value of