5. Chaac: The Mayan Rain God
Chaac is the god of rain, lightning, and thunder in Mayan mythologies. Chaac is frequently considered as a good god unlike many other lightning gods who are shown as enraged or erratic. Usually showing reptile characteristics, he carries an axe that stands for lightning. From their caves and cenotes—natural sinkholes—the Mayans thought Chaac controlled the rain and storms. Legend has Chaac striking his axe against clouds creating thunder and lightning, then life-giving rain. The Mayans, whose way of life revolved mostly on farming, revered Chaac highly and carried out complex ceremonies to please him. As frogs were considered as Chaac’s friends and rain harbingers, these rites sometimes included the pouring of water and mimicry of frog cries.