Paula Nicho Cúmez’s works are always symbolic, and in this painting, she represents the heart (Ruk’ux—the spirit or animating energy) of the sky (Kaj). For the Maya, such things as the earth, the sky, and water, are living things with a spirit just like plants, animals, or people.

In addition to the sky, the painting represents other animating energies. The artist says: “There are three energies: Ruk’ux ya’el, Heart of the Water; Ruk’ux ulew, the Heart of the Earth, and Ruk’ux kaj, the Heart of the Sky. These are the energies that protect us and provide us with security and nourishment, the way a mother does.”

The Mayan word ruk’ux is usually translated into English as “heart,” but the Maya use ruk’ux to express concepts unique to Maya spirituality. K’u’x is the Mayan word for “chest” in both the Tz’utujil and Kaqchikel Mayan languages. Ru is the article signifying the third person singular possessive: his, her, or its. Combined ruk’ux is generally translated as “heart,” but it could also easily be translated as “spirit” or “center.”

There is an important difference in attitude between what the Maya believe, and how English speakers think when they use the word “heart.” For instance, ruk’ux ya (heart of the lake) or ruk’ux juyu’ (heart of the mountain) would signify center of the lake or mountain to an English speaker, but to the Maya it would mean the spirit or animating energy of the lake or the mountain.