The God Cizin goes by several names like Kisen, Yom Cimil,[9]Kisin, Ah Puch, Xibalba,[1][10]Yum Cimil,[2]Hunhau,[11]Ah Puchah, Au Puch, Cum Hau, Eopuco, Hu Ahau, Tzontemoc,[12]Ahpuch, and Ahal Puch.[5] He was sometimes called Kimi.[13] Maya today call him Yum Cim or Yum Cimil.[5]
The name Cizin probably means stench.[14] Cizin comes from the root "ciz" which means flatulence.[15] His name is said to mean Stinking One.[1][clarification needed]
Yum Cimil means lord of death while Hun Ahau means one ruler.[16] Ah Puch means to melt.[5]
Mythology
He is considered the brother of Nohochacyum[17] and Bacabs.[18]
According to Lacandon myth when a person dies Cizin burns the soul on his mouth and his anus. When the soul complains Cizin douses the soul in cold water, causing the soul to complain more leading Cizin to burn them until the soul disintegrates into nothing.[19][8] Then, it is believed the soul goes to Sucunyum and he cleans it by spitting in his hand, so the soul can go where it likes.[19]
In popular culture
Xibalba is referenced in a scene from the movie The Road to El Dorado when the chief and high priest ask the protagonists to make a sacrifice to Xibalba. Later Conquistador Hernan Cortes is mistaken for the deity by the exiled high priest.