Ancient Wisdom, Contemporary Design

Art, Community, and Culture Intertwined. The Petén Project is a unifying creative movement that invites local artists, designers, and artisans to draw inspiration from the lush, untamed wilderness of Petén—the historic heartland of the Maya. It is a catalyst for raw talent, transforming innate skills into unique, soulful decorative pieces. At the center of this collection are the animal spirit guides, serving as protagonists that bring meaning, guardianship, and purpose to every single day.

Rooted in the wisdom of the Maya calendar, the project connects the ancient with the personal. For each of the 20 days in the sacred cycle, a spiritual companion corresponds to a Gregorian birthdate. By weaving these two timelines together, Petén Project invites everyone to discover, identify with, and recognize themselves in a living being that reflects their truest essence. Each birthdate reveals a distinct animal guide—sometimes two—destined to accompany a person from their very first breath throughout their entire life.

Learn more about all the women behind Petén Project

The Flower of Life in the Animal Kingdom

The visual journey began when a collective of women designers from FLAAR (Foundation for Latin American Anthropological Research) accepted the challenge to illustrate the initial animal concepts. Over time, these sketches evolved into striking geometric figures based entirely on the Sacred Geometry of the Flower of Life—also known as the six-petaled rosette. Since antiquity, these interlocking circles have inspired Phoenician, Egyptian, Gallic, Spanish, and Italian cultures to create deeply symbolic art. In Mesoamerica, this same sacred geometry served as a powerful emblem of energy and protection.

In Guatemala, Petén Project draws its deeper meaning right from its name. It stems from the pre-Columbian term Noj Petén, which in the Maya Itzá language refers to the Great Island of Flores in the north, bordering Mexico’s Yucatán, where Petén signifies a vast plain. It is no coincidence that the spider is the personal guide of the project’s founder. Since the concept first took root in Daniella Murga’s mind, her enthusiasm has been the natural fiber with which she has patiently spun a multidisciplinary web of artists, artisans, and designers eager to join this extraordinary initiative.

Welcome to Petén Project

Our digital platform is the gateway to this fascinating world of spiritual companions. By entering your birthdate, you can uncover the sacred guardian the Maya calendar has reserved for you, revealing the traits that shape how you navigate the world. It is also an interactive gallery—a showcase to meet the creators, marvel at figures inspired by the Flower of Life, and discover the inaugural collection of heirloom art and decor created exclusively for you, with purpose and identity.

Daniella Murga

Founder

I always dreamed of a day when Guatemala could offer the world luxury-grade craftsmanship defined by extraordinary design, sparking a sense of global pride in our creative identity. My profound respect for the wisdom of ancient cultures and the teachings of the wild inspired me to create Petén Project.

Why Petén? Because this northern department embodies the raw nature and Mayan heritage that define our country, grounding us to our roots. The intelligence of the Maya gives this project its heartbeat.

After months of visualizing these concepts—navigating my own interior monologues, meditating, and wandering between dreaming and wakefulness—the project began to take shape. Guided by a dedicated group of visionaries who believed in the idea, we have built a beautiful, ever-expanding sanctuary for designers, creators, and master artisans. Every path has led us here. I invite you to explore these avenues, discover your own daily companion, and step into this captivating world.

Sandra Valdez

Product Designer

I joined Petén Project because of the immense trust Daniella placed in me and the power of her vision. I saw an unprecedented opportunity to develop products so distinct that they are already forging emotional bonds, unlocking endless possibilities to create design pieces that reinforce who we are. These objects become part of the family, the home, and our story.

This project is a beautiful challenge that constantly pushes my creativity and problem-solving skills alongside our allied artisans. Together, we are taking this creative ecosystem further than imagined, opening doors for founding designers and independent artists alike.

Our website serves as a vital sanctuary for self-discovery. Many arrive out of curiosity, only to find a profound tool for introspection. It is a curated catalog of objects people instinctively connect with. Our clients are our community, inspiring us with new ideas to expand our horizons. Everyone should experience Petén Project—not just because it is a fast-growing, inspiring enterprise, but because it is a doorway into our history and the animal spirit that walks beside us all.

Ana Sáenz

Production & Administration

More than a project, this is an intention. We aren’t just selling handmade objects; we are designing symbols and sharing a creative narrative. This is not mere home decor. I joined Petén Project because it carries a rare depth.

It acts as a bridge between the ancestral and the contemporary, between true luxury and conscious living. It is a brand that understands that real luxury resides in the story behind the piece—celebrating both the hands that crafted it and the legacy that inspired it.

The Petén Project constructs identity. It invites us to establish a genuine connection with the symbolic power of our spirit guides, reintroducing their ancient wisdom into a modern daily life that often moves too fast for us to remember the magic around us. This platform proves that true luxury possesses soul. It elevates the global conversation surrounding artisanal design, offering a mindful way to choose, cherish, and identify with the objects we bring into our sacred spaces.