Nahuales in Guatemala are an integral part of the Mayan worldview and culture. In Mayan tradition, a nahual is a spiritual being or protector assigned to each person at birth. This spirit guides and protects the individual throughout their life and is believed to be connected with nature and animals.

Each day in the Mayan calendar has an associated nahual, and the day a person is born determines their nahual. It is said that the nahual reflects the person’s personality, destiny, and spiritual characteristics. Nahuales are linked to natural elements such as animals, plants, and natural phenomena, and they are considered intermediaries between the human and spiritual worlds.

In tradition, nahuales can also take animal forms and act as protectors, guides, and spiritual allies. In some indigenous communities in Guatemala, ceremonies and rituals are performed to honor the nahuales, seeking their guidance in important moments of life.

Nahuales are a manifestation of the deep connection between the Mayans and nature, and they continue to be a vital aspect of spirituality and culture in Guatemala.