Also known as
Hunhau, he was the
Mayan god of death who ruled over
Mitnal, the land of death, the lowest and most
horrible of the nine hells. He was normally represented with the head of an
owl on a
human body. This figure of death has survived to this day, where the Indians of
Central America and
Mexico believe that someone will die when the owl screeches. In other representations
Ah Puch is shown as a
skeleton or a bloated
corpse, adorned with bells. He is also referred to as 'God A'.
from: Mayan Mythology