Codz Poop West Side
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.
Much restoration left to do
The rough stones above the doorways are areas where masks have fallen away.
We may note is passing that the decoration of the medial molding [far left of photo] 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
Once entirely Chaac masks
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
Precise mosaic work
This precise mosaic work required stones worked to exact dimensions.
Note how the masks on the foundation level do not align with the upper masks
Note how the masks on the foundation level do not align with the upper masks.
An iguana suns himself
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.
Chaac images placed inside rooms
Click green arrows to see the giant Chaac images in the rooms, or just scroll down
There are even Chac masks serving as altars inside the rooms.
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
rain god steps
Steps leading to the entrances consist of rain god noses.
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
Chaac as stair into inner room
...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
More Rain God noses as stairs
Rain God noses provide a ceremonial stair into the building.
Alignment of Stair Masks
The Rain God stair masks in the foundation line up exactly with the doorways.
Double noses
The Chaac masks lining the doorways are split in half and have double noses.
Another Chaac used as a stair
The southern room contains a similar Chaac image used as a stair.
More Chaac steps
View through outer room to the Chaac steps leading into the inner room.
Approaching the inner sanctum
Approaching the inner sanctum guarded by the rain god.
Chaac with Venus symbols
Photo by Jeff Purcell, June 10, 2004
Chaac has Venus symbols on his eyelids & wears elaborate ear-flares sprouting vegetation. The first rising of Venus as the morning star was associated with the coming of the rains.
...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
long noses as a design feature
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
Many of the noses are broken
Photo by Jeff Purcell, June 10, 2004
An intact nose
365 masks, one for each day
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!
rain god in a dry land
The amazing proliferation of rain god images in a dry land with no surface water.