Four bird men of Totonacan blood will descend from the top of the universal tree, doing circles in the air. 30 meters above ground the leader dances and plays pre-Hispanic instruments.

These are the Papantla flyers worshipping the sun god. This impressive show of courage and faith of the Papantla fliers at Xcaret is an ancient ceremony which originated in the state of Veracruz in the Gulf of Mexico to ask for a good harvest and fertility.

The fliers, representing the four elements and the four cardinal points, go up a 30 meter pole and tied by their waist jump head first into the air with their arms open. The fliers make their way down each going around the pole exactly 13 times which amounts to the number of months in the Mayan calendar.

Added up, they symbolize the 52 years of the pre-Hispanic cosmic cycle after which a new sun is born and life begins again. Without a rope around him , the leader dances on top of the pole. He turns to each one of the cardinal points beginning by the west which is the origin of life.

He is the main flier that guides the descent of the other four while playing the flute which symbolizes the song of the birds and the drum which represents the voice of god.

You can enjoy this worship ritual in its presentation outdoors where they also represent the dance of the Huahuas and also at night in the Xcaret Spectacular Mexico night show. It is something not to be missed!