In the 1200's, Tulum was an important Mayan seaport along the Yucatan coast. It was the only Mayan city built on a coast. It remained inhabited well after the arrival of the Spanish. The Temple of the Descending God (Templo del Dios Descendente) get its name from the relief above the door. The carving shows an upside-down male figure. The image resembles a child being born with its head down. This temple was built in alignment with the morning star, the planet Venus and the sun. At the vernal equinox, the light shines through the temple and illuminates the inner Holy of Holies and shines directly under the Descending God announcing his coming to the earth.