ITZAMNA The most important deity in the Maya pantheon, Itzamna was the son of the creator god Hunab, and was lord of the heavens, and also lord of day and night. He was represented as a kindly old man, toothless with sunken cheeks and a pronounced nose. A cultural hero, he invented writing and books, established religious cermonies, and divided the land. He was entirely benevolent, never responsible for any destruction or disaster.