maya

/ˈmaɪə/
adjective
  1. Relating to the Maya people, their culture, or their civilization.
    • She is studying Maya hieroglyphs at the university.
    • Maya architecture is famous for its stepped pyramids and intricate carvings.
    • The museum has a large collection of Maya artifacts, including pottery and jade masks.
noun
  1. A member of an ancient civilization that lived in Mexico and Central America, known for their writing, art, architecture, and mathematics.
    • Many descendants of the Maya still live in the Yucatán Peninsula today.
    • The Maya built impressive pyramids and cities in the rainforest.
    • The Maya developed a complex calendar system long before European contact.
  2. A modern indigenous person belonging to the Maya ethnic group.
    • The festival featured traditional dances performed by Maya from several villages.
    • My neighbor is a Maya from Guatemala who speaks both Spanish and her native language.
    • Maya artisans are famous for their colorful woven textiles.
  3. In Hindu philosophy, the illusion or appearance of the physical world, which hides the true spiritual reality.
    • The sage taught that maya causes us to mistake the temporary for the eternal.
    • Understanding maya is key to achieving spiritual liberation in Hindu thought.
    • In Advaita Vedanta, maya is the cosmic illusion that makes the world seem separate from Brahman.
Synonyms
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