12 Sacred Groves & Mystical Forests Revered by Ancient Cultures

7. The Ceiba Canopies of Tikal, Guatemala: Mayan World Trees

The dense rainforest engulfing the magnificent Mayan city of Tikal was far more than just a backdrop; it was a sacred entity. Central to their cosmology was the Ceiba tree, the "Yaxche," or World Tree, whose massive roots delved into the underworld (Xibalba), its trunk connecting the earthly realm, and its high canopy reaching the heavens. Specific areas of the forest around temples and plazas were revered, seen as powerful conduits for communicating with gods and ancestors, an ingenious integration of urbanism and deep forest spirituality.