The fantastical western side of Codz Poop with its thousands of rain god masks
"On this surprising building, whose façade repeats the same theme over and over like a litany, the precise sense of composition transforms what could have been only monotony into fascination. Designed with absolute rigor, each element fits into the general composition without the slightest margin of error.
Thus, while the rows of masks that cover the frieze continue uninterruptedly the lenght of the façade, those that cover the lower wall and are aligned vertically with the others are clearly divided by the door frame (whose total width is exactly the space corresponding to the sum of the whole mask and two halves, excluding the noses of those next to the doorways)."
Paul Gendrop, Rio Bec, Chenes, and Puuc Styles in Maya Architecture, p. 184
Note: The Maya show a fascination with tiling patterns used to cover areas. Here, masks on the lowest level do not line up in exact vertical columns with masks on the lower wall due to the double earplugs of the lowest masks. However, the periodicy of these lower masks cause them to align squarely underneath each doorway, where the noses widen out to form entrance steps to the chambers behind.
"We may note is passing that the decoration of the medial molding consists of a motif that I would interchangeably designate as zig-zag, embroidery, or lace, in stone, a frequent element that in the present example seems to come from the symbolism of the serpent, as can be seen on the corners of the molding in question."
Paul Gendrop, Rio Bec, Chenes, and Puuc Styles in Maya Architecture, p. 184
"An extraordinary case in Puuc architecture — that generally maintains a balance between smooth lower walls and decorated panels — this building is completely covered by sculptures in strong relief of a quality of execution that clearly justifies the name Kabáh (which, according to some authors, in Yucatecan Mayan means the hand that chisels).
With the exception of the doorway spans and the exquisite moldings that divide the façade into elongated horizontal bands, the sculpture ornamentation of this building consists of a series — vertical as well as horizontal — of masks of the long-nosed god that also appear in the interior of the building where they serve as an access stairway to the rear rooms with their wide and thick noses, which has given the building the common name Codz Poop (rolled mat), by which it is known."
Paul Gendrop, Rio Bec, Chenes, and Puuc Styles in Maya Architecture, p. 184
The eyebrow of a giant chac mask makes a confortable resting-place for one of the local iguana, who appears to be in the process of shedding his skin or possilby re-growing his tail.
"The façade of Structure 1 at Kabah, locally known as the Codz Poop, is made up entirely of identical sculptured masks placed side by side and tier upon tier so that the separate motifs merge into a single intricate pattern of shades and deep shadows."
Tatiana Proskouriakoff, An Album of Maya Architecture, p. 67
"At the base level these same noses rest on the outside pavement, widening at the base of each door span to serve as steps and causing a pattern break that is compensated for by giving each mask a pair of individual earplugs (while the other masks share the same earplug with the adjacent mask)."
Paul Gendrop, Rio Bec, Chenes, and Puuc Styles in Maya Architecture, p. 184
"...masks of the long-nosed god also appear in the interior of the building where they serve as an access stairway to the rear rooms with their wide and thick noses, which has given the building the common name Codz Poop (rolled mat), by which it is known."
Paul Gendrop, Rio Bec, Chenes, and Puuc Styles in Maya Architecture, p. 184
Photo by Jeff Purcell, June 10, 2004
"...masks of the long-nosed god also appear in the interior of the building where they serve as an access stairway to the rear rooms with their wide and thick noses, which has given the building the common name Codz Poop (rolled mat), by which it is known."
Paul Gendrop, Rio Bec, Chenes, and Puuc Styles in Maya Architecture, p. 184
Codz Poop, Western side [Photo by Jeff Purcell, June 10, 2004]
"To all of this must be added the surprising interplay of volumes that the long, hooked noses must have had and which together, with the change of perspective, looked like an openwork (or latticework) screening over the façade."
Paul Gendrop, Rio Bec, Chenes, and Puuc Styles in Maya Architecture, p. 184
Photo by Jeff Purcell, June 10, 2004
The number of rain-god masks on the façade has been variously estimated: I have heard four hundred or, more appealingly, 356 masks -- one for each day of the year. In any case, because of these masks the local people say it rains more in Kabah than anywhere else in Yucatan!
