Patolli - just the facts

Get A Maya Codex Mousepad, a depiction of writing and books from the Pre Columban, era of the Americas

Patolli is one of the oldest games in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. Patolli (or variants of it) are thought to have been known to a wide range of Mesoamerican cultures, such as the Maya inhabitants of Chichen Itza (1100 - 1300 A.D.), and the Aztecs (1168 - 1521 A.D.)

It seems it had a ceremonial and religious sense that still now is not very clear: the time cycle of the Aztecs is based upon 52 years, the same number of squares found in the game.

The Magliabecci codex says: Patolli's god was Macuilxochitl, deity of music, dance, gambling and games, called God of the Five Flowers.

Before starting the game, the players invoked him and they offered incense and food. They bet blankets, maguey plants, precious stones and gold adornments.

The Spaniards forbade the game during the conquest because it was considered pagan and idolatrous.

The game above has seen all the pieces move right round the 52 spaces with just a few dice throws remaining at most for who wins.

Some when betting thought they would deffinately win, as thwey had made prayers to their gods, and lost and so became slaves, It was played allot in the 400,000 people 15th C capital of the Aztecs. on streets, which there is a small pic of. And had great Mythical things on the board. My board does not. And usually in most version all 4 corners would be coloured or have some thing, some may have things in the central boxes. This is just my version, I made for a theoretical 2 player patolli I devised, for a game.