Labna

Nestled in the Puuc Hills, the ruins at Labna feature a pyramid (left), ornate archway (just right of center) and a ceremonial walkway or sacbe (extending to lower right). This overview was photographed from the rooftop of a building complex bearing the vision serpent depicted below.

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The famous arch of Labna served as a portal to the plaza at the foot of the large pyramid seen in the previous photograph. The ornate decorations lateral to the archway have been interpreted as a stylized mask; altrnatively, some view the v-shaped patterns as representations of the cracks in the Earth from which members of the ancient Maya pantheon emerged from the underworld (Xibalba).

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Remains of the pyramid at Labna and a small trapezoidal doorway. The much grander arch is located adjacent to the right hand edge of this image.

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The motif of human head emerging from the jaws of a snake is known as a vision serpent, a tangible and visual representation of the ancient Maya practice of communicating with the spirit world. Like this example, vision serpents are often installed at the corners of building. This effigy is located in the building complex at the end of the sacbe that leads to the pyramid and arch.