On May 28, 2025, "The Mysteries of the Rainforest: Grand Exhibition of Maya Culture from Mexico" opened to the public at the Henan Museum. Highlighting the Maya civilization of the Classic Period, the exhibition features 209 meticulously selected artifacts (sets) on loan from five cultural institutions under Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). These include pottery, stone sculptures, jade objects, statues, murals, and architectural elements, with approximately 90% making their debut in China.

Deeply rooted in the tropical rainforest, Mexico's Maya civilization is an extraordinary representative of the Indigenous civilizations of Ancient America, renowned for its remarkable achievements in science, agriculture, culture, and art – earning it the epithet "The Greece of the Americas." Henan, situated at the heart of the Central Plains and nurtured by the Yellow River, forged the inclusive and influential Yellow River and Central Plains cultures, recognized as a major cradle of Chinese civilization. This summer, these two distinct cultures converge: one born of the humid rainforest, the other shaped by a great wandering river, engaging in mutual learning through this encounter.

The exhibition begins with the Maya cosmological concept of the "World Tree" (the Ceiba tree), guiding visitors through three thematic sections: "The Celestial Realm," "The Human Realm," and "The Underworld." These correspond metaphorically to the canopy, trunk, and roots of the World Tree, embodying facets of Maya religion, political structure, and views on life and death.

· ‌Section 1: The Celestial Realm:‌ Dominated by sacred pearl white accented with gold, creating a solemn, holy, and ordered atmosphere.

· ‌Section 2: The Human Realm:‌ Featuring rainforest green as the primary color, complemented by linear patterns echoing traditional Maya architectural elements.

· ‌Section 3: The Pathways Through Darkness:‌ Utilizing cyan tones and gradient lighting effects to evoke a serene and mysterious underwater ambiance, symbolizing the Maya understanding of the cyclical nature of life and death.

Significant exhibits include a half-meter diameter polychrome pottery dish depicting Maya shamans, representing a pinnacle of Classic Maya artistry; meticulously crafted pottery figurines vividly portraying diverse Maya individuals; and several limestone stelae inscribed with glyphs detailing city-state histories, constellations, calendars, and royal genealogies.

Complementing the exhibition, the "Super-Immersive Exploration of Maya Civilization with 3D Smart Eyeglasses" experience launched on May 1st. A variety of public programs have also commenced, including lecture series, guided tours, and thematic flash gatherings. Additionally, over 100 categories of Maya-themed cultural products are available for purchase. Further events, such as thematic salons and a summer souvenir fair, are planned, offering the public a rich cultural feast.

This exhibition aims to showcase the unique allure of ancient Maya civilization, deepening the Chinese public's understanding of Mexican history and culture, and injecting fresh vitality into Sino-Mexican cultural exchange and mutual appreciation. Simultaneously, through innovative exhibition design and presentation, it offers audiences a novel and captivating cultural journey.