A slow, deliberate sound is heard far away. A distant sound, as though it came from the wind; low and deep, as though it came from the sea. It is the call of the Mayan atecocolli or quetzaltecciztli, the sea conch trumpet.
More than Just a Shell
The most ancient of trumpets, the Queen Conch shell was the most common and widely used instrument of the pre Hispanic Mayan people. It served as an essential element in religious ceremonies and as centerpiece in their culture; not only because of the mysterious sound it produced, but in most part due to its symbolism, an unquestionable emblem of water, a resource so important to the Mayan people.
Her Majesty… The Queen!
The Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) is a marine snail or gastropod (latin for belly-foot). This huge snail can be easily identified by its shell's bright pink flaring lip. The heavy shell, formed by the buildup of calcium carbonate, is glossy pink, orange, or yellow on its interior and reaches its full size at around 3 years of age. It then starts to form a “lip” that flares away from the shell. The shell continues to thicken throughout the Conch’s life. They can grow to 12 inches and five pounds and reach sexual maturity in about 3 to 5 years. Queen Conch can live 40 years but the normal life span is estimated at between 20 and 30 years.
Interesting Queen Conch Fact:
The Queen Conch does not have red blood! Its blood lacks hemoglobin, the iron-rich pigment that turns red when it reacts with oxygen. Rather, queen conch blood contains a pigment called hemocyanin, which contains copper and turns blue when it reacts with oxygen!!
