According to a figure, more than 16 billion, 58 crore, 55 lakh turkeys are eaten every year in the world during Christmas or other festivals. But did you know that 2000 years ago this same bird used to be a deity in an ancient civilization?
The turkey is a brilliantly colored bird with a mixture of bronze, blue and green feathers, a bright blue head with orange wart-like bumps. Eye-like markings are present on the dark red feet and tail.
Experts believe that the amazing mixed colors of this bird is the reason for its worship. In fact, the Mayan civilization began worshiping it around 300 BC, as did the jaguar (leopard), the snake, and the quetzal (another multi-colored bird) that appear to play an important role in Maya mythology.
Turkish mines are ubiquitous in archeology and iconography, as evidenced by depictions on painted vessels and hieroglyphic texts. They were first identified in the Madrid Codex (Ancient Mayan Book) discovered in 1880.
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