Final answer:
The significance of Venus in ancient Mayan astronomy is best identified with war and conquest. The Maya aligned significant events like battles with the cycles of Venus, reflecting its vital role in their cosmology and society as opposed to the Western association of Venus with love.
Step-by-step explanation:
The significance of Venus in ancient Mayan astronomy is most closely associated with war and conquest (option C). The Mayan culture in Mexico and Central America developed a sophisticated calendar system that paid major attention to the cycles of the planet Venus. They made precise astronomical observations which were crucial for their rituals and customs, and it's apparent that the positioning of Venus was connected to historically significant events such as battles.
There is evidence that the Maya may have scheduled battles to align with astronomical events, specifically the cycle of Venus. This further illustrates the impact of Venus on Mayan warfare and decision-making. Unlike the Western concept of Venus as the goddess of love, for the Maya, Venus was a celestial symbol tied to the strategy and timing of warfare, reflecting its significance in Mayan cosmology and society.