Skip to main content

The Maya myth of the morning star

1,514,773 Views

9,107 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Chak Ek’, the morning star, rose from the underworld to the surface of the eastern sea and on into the heavens. His brother K’in Ahaw, the sun, followed. Though Chak Ek’ had risen first, K’in Ahaw outshone him, and the resentful Chak Ek’ descended back to the underworld to plot against his brother and his allies. Gabrielle Vail details the Maya myth of the morning star.

The rising of the Morning Star is associated with:

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Gabrielle Vail
  • Director BASA
  • Narrator Nishat Ruiter
  • Creative Director Diego Huacuja
  • Art Director Diego Huacuja
  • Storyboard Artist Enrique Sañudo, Cris Lugo
  • Illustrator Enrique Sañudo
  • Designer Enrique Sañudo
  • Lead Animator Cris Lugo
  • BASA Line Producer Melissa López Ley
  • Sound Designer Igor Figueroa, Mono
  • Production Company Little Ugly
  • Collaborator Jonathan Tharin
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Associate Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma

More from Myths From Around the World