Tradition: Maya Mythology, Guatemala Mythology
Alternative Names: Mayan Beaded Lizard, Hunpedzkin
Category: Lizard
The Myth
The Ix-hunpedzkin is a small, colourful lizard feared in Yucatec Maya folklore for its supposedly deadly poison. It is described as measuring around three to four inches long, with black, rose-coloured, and ash-grey bands across its body and a pink underbelly. Although real beaded lizards are sluggish animals with venomous bites, traditional accounts greatly exaggerate the creature’s poisonous nature, claiming that its entire body is dangerously toxic.
According to these stories, the Ix-hunpedzkin can strike with both its mouth and its tail. Its poison is so potent that merely touching a person’s clothing can supposedly kill a grown man. The lizard is also said to enter houses and come into contact with people. Its most feared ability is to cause severe, debilitating headaches by biting the shadow of a person’s head. Unless treated immediately, these headaches are believed to be fatal.
A special plant called hunpedzkin or hunpedzkin-ak is used as a remedy for these headaches. The plant is described as a climber that grows alongside Sabal japa, with long, narrow, yellow leaves resembling those of the henequen plant, but smaller and bearing soft spines. It is probably a type of Tillandsia. To prepare the remedy, its leaves are crushed or burned into ashes, then made into a poultice and applied to the afflicted person’s head.
Sources
“Ix-hunpedzkin.” A Book of Creatures, May 12, 2017. https://abookofcreatures.com/2017/05/12/ix-hunpedzkin/