It took one hundred years to find a decent place to live. However, given the violent loss of her physical form, the monster (now embodying the earth) thirsts for blood and hearts – thus alluding to the grisly practice of human sacrifice. Tlaltecuhtli, old goddess … Talking of the mythical narrative, according to most versions, Xochiquetzal was originally the wife of rain god, but was later abducted and forced to marry. The name for the ball game Ullamalitzli comes from the Aztec word "ulli" which means "rubber". Huehueteotl may be the oldest of the Aztec gods and representations of him can be found all over Mesoamerica going back centuries. In the month of Tóxcatl, the sixth month (or 5th) of the Aztec solar year, Tezcatlipoca was worshipped in special ceremonies. The hearts and blood from the sacrifice fed the good gods to give them strength to fight the evil gods. Tlaloc was the Aztec god of rain. espoused the antithetical factors of nature, with the masculine and feminine sides representing the light and dark, chaos and order, and even in some respects good and evil. Centeotl's name (pronounced something like Zin-tay-AH-tul) means “Maize Cob Lord” or “the Dried Ear of the Maize God”. Tezcatlipoca is the Aztec god of fire and of the night. Religion was a very important part of the civilization and it was woven into their daily practices, beliefs, ceremonies, and dress. Free Returns High Quality Printing Fast Shipping See Details. Interesting Facts about Aztec Daily Life. The Aztec goddess of ‘collected’ water on earth, thus embodying rivers, lakes, and oceans, , one of the major Aztec gods of rain and thunder. It took one hundred years to find a decent place to live. God of life, light, wisdom, fertility and knowledge, pattern of the day and the winds, is the ruler of the west, and is considered as"The Feathered Serpent." Its name is thought to mean"left hummingbird". Tlaloc. Free Returns High Quality Printing Fast Shipping Aztec gods – The role of gods Aztec rulers were considered to be the embodiment of their gods and … Tlaloc. Below is a list of the principal Aztec deities in alphabetical order. Quetzalcoatl was related to gods of the wind, of Venus, of the dawn, of merchants and of arts, crafts and knowledge. Coming to the historical representation, Tonatiuh was often depicted as a symbolic sun disk (or sometimes a squatting man with an imposing disk on his back), with the motif being carved into the walls of monuments and temples. Mictlāntēcutli (Spanish pronunciation: [Mictlāntēcutli] ()) or Mictlantecuhtli (Nahuatl pronunciation: [mik.t͡ɬaːn.ˈteːkʷ.t͡ɬi], meaning "Lord of Mictlan"), in Aztec mythology, was a god of the dead and the king of Mictlan (Chicunauhmictlan), the lowest and northernmost section of the underworld.He was one of the principal gods of the Aztecs and was the most prominent of several gods and goddesses of death and … In another instance, Mixcoatl is mentioned to be the father to, mother but ended up having their hearts eaten by the god of war) and also, . August 1, 2018. Next Question > Test your knowledge of the Aztec civilization! However, given the violent loss of her physical form, the monster (now embodying the earth) thirsts for blood and hearts – thus alluding to the grisly practice of human sacrifice. The Great Temple in the center of the city was built in honor of Huitzilopochtli and Tlacoc. It has been speculated that this god has its origins in either the Olmec or the Yope culture. Other Aztec gods associated with this all-important crop included the goddess of sweet corn and … In another instance, Mixcoatl is mentioned to be the father to Centzon Huitznahua (400 entities that tried to kill Huitzilopochtli’s mother but ended up having their hearts eaten by the god of war) and also Quetzalcoatl. Interestingly enough, in that regard,  she was often venerated as the wife (or sister) of, , while in some cases, she was even worshipped as the feminine form of, In the narrative of the Aztec lore, Chalchiuhtlicue plays a crucial role in the Mexica version of the deluge myth, as she is the one to bring forth the cataclysmic flood and destroy the world of the Fourth Sun (the world of the Fifth Sun is once again populated by humans due to the efforts of. A life led in this way would harmonise body, mind, social purpose and wonder at nature. The elderly members of the family were well taken care of and respected in Aztec society. Aztec art usually portrays Huehueteotl as a very old man, hunched over with a wrinkled face and a toothless mouth. All they had was a swampy lake. Austin Cline, a former regional director for the Council for Secular Humanism, writes and lectures extensively about atheism and agnosticism. Incredibly enough, the steps leading to Huitzilopochtli’s own temple, on the south side, was painted in gaudy red to signify the essence of blood and war. In any case, he was one of the major Aztec gods in the later pantheon whose temple was situated south of the Great Temple in Tenochtitlan. Aztec children were instructed early in life about manners and correct behavior. The sons of nobles went to a separate school where … (roughly translating to ‘without deer sandals’), and was venerated in earlier and contemporary Mesoamerican cultures like the Otomi, the Chichimecs, and the Toltecs. Tezcatlipoca - Tezcatlipoca was a powerful god associated with many things including magic, the night, and the earth. They called that Tenochtitlan. Such a life, for the Aztecs, amounted to a kind of careful dance, one that took account of the treacherous terrain of the slippery earth, and in which pleasure was little more than an incidental feature. He was the god of the death. As stated above, the gods in the Aztec religion represented different aspects of life and the world for the Aztec people. OCLC 6720413. Furthermore, two different Aztec goddesses –, “snake woman” (who was worshipped as the patron goddess of women who died during childbirth) were perceived as the aspects of Coatlicue herself. Quetzalcoatl("feathered serpent") is the God of wisdom, life, knowledge, morning star, fertility, patron of the winds and the light, the lord of the West. In the Aztec creation story, Ometecuhtli was self-birthed, and as such the androgynous being’s dual genders acted as husband and wife to give birth to the other four major Aztec gods – Huitzilopochtli, Quetzalcoatl, Tezcatlipoca, and Xipe Totec, who in turn represented the four cardinal sides. When Cortez first arrived at the Aztecs, many thought that he was the god Quetzalcoatl in human flesh. That place was the capital of the Aztec … Huitzilopochtli was the god of war, the sun and sacrifice. They typically did not choose their wives. They were also called the Tenochca, from an eponymous ancestor, Tenoch, and the Mexica, probably from Metzliapán (“Moon … , the primordial entity among the Aztec gods). The god of sun and war told the Aztec people to move to south and that their homes would be permanent and marked with a sign. As for the historical side of affairs, the Feathered Serpent, in spite of his initial, The lord of the nocturnal sky and the eternal antithesis of his brother, . Huitzilopochtli was the god of war and the sun. The animal symbols used to represent him included quetzals, rattlesnakes, and crows among others. , who in turn represented the four cardinal sides. Huitzilopochtli, Father of the Aztecs. Now as the Aztec god of death, Mictlantecuhtli was perceived as the singular entity that all human souls had to encounter, regardless of their righteousness or immorality. The Aztecs also believed that the gods were in an almost never-ending struggle. Huitzilopochtli is the god of war. As for the historical side of affairs, unlike most other Aztec gods and goddesses, Ometecuhtli had no temple erected in his honor. According to one version of their legacy, it was the Toltec warlords who pursued the Mexica (one of the warlike Mesoamerican people who later formed the Aztec Triple Alliance or Aztec Empire) and forced them to retreat to an island – a precarious endeavor made successful by the guidance of their patron god Huitzilopochtli, the Hummingbird of the South. Huehueteotl's role in this was due to the Aztec belief that, as an ancient pillar of the universe, Huehueteotl's fire ran throughout the entire world, linking the fires in every Aztec home and every Aztec temple. Aztec priests were responsible for keeping a fire burning at all times in honor of Huehueteotl. In essence, all of these narratives place her as the supreme matronly goddess of the Aztec mythology who nourishes through her feminine abilities (as opposed to the abstruse nature of double gender presented by. The Aztec Wind God’s name was Ehécatl (which simply means Wind in Náhuatl). As for the historical side of affairs, the Feathered Serpent, in spite of his initial ‘hybrid’ characteristics, was usually depicted (post circa 1200 AD) in a human form who usually is adorned in shell jewelry and wears a conical hat (copilli). Free Returns High Quality Printing Fast Shipping. Huitzilopochtli (pronounced Weetz-ee-loh-POSHT-lee and meaning "Hummingbird on the Left") was one of the most important of the Aztec gods, the god of the sun, warfare, military conquest and sacrifice, who according to tradition, led the Mexica people from Aztlan, their mythical homeland, into Central Mexico.According to some scholars, Huitzilopochtli could have been a historical figure, … And it was on this island that they witnessed the prophecy of “an eagle with a snake in its beak, perched on a prickly pear cactus” – which led to the founding of the massive city of Tenochtitlan in circa 1325 AD, by ‘refugees’. Ometecuhtli, (Nahuatl: “Two-Lord”) Aztec deity, “Lord of the Duality” or Lord of Life, who represented one aspect of the cosmic duality of the Aztec tradition. The myth reports that during the 5th Sun, Quetzalcoatl spotted a red ant carrying a maize kernel.He followed the ant and reached the place where maize grew, the “Mountain of Sustenance”, or … Tlaloc was a widely-worshiped deity and there was a site in … Earth gods. In all aspects of life, the Aztecs stressed frugality, simplicity and moderation. Toxiuhmolpilia, "the tying of the years," was ritual performed every 52 years over which Huehueteotl presided. entry), Mictlantecuhtli played his role in delaying the Feathered Serpent from gathering the bones of humans in his underworld realm Mictlán. As for the historical side of affairs, Tenochtitlan was the focal point of Huitzilopochtli worship, with the capital city housing the shrine and wooden statue of the Aztec god (atop the Temple Mayor). In Aztec mythology, Xipe Totec ("our lord the flayed one") was a life-death-rebirth deity, god of agriculture, the west, disease, spring, goldsmiths and the seasons. In another myth, the god along with his brother Tezcatlipoca fashions the earth out of Cipactli, a female serpent-like monster. Marshall H. Saville; Alec Christensen (eds.). He was a rival … (the patron god of sun and war). Tezcatlipoca is the patron of life and death and the source of god Quetzalcoatl’s destructive powers (Hamnett, 42). The Aztec god was also associated with a range of various concepts, including north, hurricanes, war, rulership, eternal youth, divination, sorcery, and jaguars. Huehueteotl is one of very few gods depicted is such an aged state, but it represented his great wisdom. As stated above, the gods in the Aztec religion represented different aspects of life and the world for the Aztec people. Huehueteotl also tends to wear a large brazier marked with symbols of fire and which may itself have held incense. Huitzilopochtli, god of war, sun, human sacrifice, patron of the city of Tenochtitlan, and national god of the Mexica (Aztec). But the other tribes were already living in the area and not willing to share it with the Aztec people. The rationale for Aztec human sacrifice was, first and foremost, a matter of survival. It is one of the most … This nature of the conflict was also epitomized by Huitzilopochtli association to warfare – and as such, he was accompanied by his entourage of fallen warriors (whose spirits returned to earth as hummingbirds) and women who died during childbirth (which was perceived as an act of bravery). The Aztecs believed in a multiple-deity universe, with different gods who reigned over different aspects of Aztec society, serving and responding to Aztec specific needs. In essence, Ometecuhtli (or. ) . IV. The Aztecs also believed that the gods were in an almost never-ending struggle. His success was the result of a combination of factors: Montezuma’s initial suspicion that … IV. Husband of Chalchiuhtlicue, fertility and vegetation goddess. Aztec Life: Spanish Invasion: Aztec Stories: Aztec Inspiration: Aztec Language: School Displays: Aztec Links: Getting Involved: Aztec Quizzes: Feedback: Credits: Text Size: Follow @Mexicolore. The Aztecs believed in a multiple-deity universe, with different gods who reigned over different aspects of Aztec society, serving and responding to Aztec specific needs. She is the sister of Chimalma and Coatlicue, according to Aztec mythology. – the 20th Aztec month), with the festival entailing hunters dressed up like the god engaging in hunting, roasting games, and feasting. Aztec mythology is the body or collection of myths of Aztec civilization of Central Mexico. The punishment for breaking a law regarding clothing was often death. Counted among the most important of Aztec gods (and Mesoamerican divine entities). Punishment for breaking the rules was severe. The worship of Miclantecuhtli was ongoing with the arrival of Europeans in the Americas. He ruled over the element of water. Shop Aztec God of Life and Deat Women's Classic T-Shirt designed by Admin Store. In the Aztec’s creation story, several gods had to sacrifice themselves in order to sustain the weak god who nobly sacrificed himself to create the sun. Posted By: Dattatreya Mandal Interestingly enough, in that regard,  she was often venerated as the wife (or sister) of Tláloc, while in some cases, she was even worshipped as the feminine form of Tláloc himself. His wife was Chalchiuhtlicue.At the end of the Aztec century (52 years), the gods were thought to be able to end their covenant with humanity. The hearts and blood from the sacrifice fed the good gods to give them strength to fight the evil gods. Consequently, her hair and skin give way to trees and flowers, while her eyes and nose account for the caverns and springs. Huitzilopochtli (pronounced Weetz-ee-loh-POSHT-lee) was the … A fertility deity is a god or goddess associated with fertility, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, and crops.In some cases these deities are directly associated with these experiences; in others they are more abstract symbols. However, in spite of her seemingly harsh aspect, she does her bit to save the life essence of humans by transforming them into fishes. In order to ensure that the Aztec covenant with the gods would be renewed, victims were drugged, roasted alive, and had their hearts cut out. He was worshipped in the temple at the Great Pyramid of Cholula. Huitzilopochtli (pronounced Weetz-ee-loh-POSHT-lee and meaning "Hummingbird on the Left") was one of the most important of the Aztec gods, the god of the sun, warfare, military conquest and sacrifice, who according to tradition, led the Mexica people from … Please let us know via the ‘Contact Us’ link, provided both above the top bar and at the bottom bar of the page. A fierce deity representing the Fifth Sun (the final era in Aztec mythology, i.e., the present age), Tonatiuh, among all the major Aztec gods and goddesses, was probably the one who was most associated with the act of ritual sacrifice. A strong sense of indebtedness was connected with this worldview. The following is a list of fertility deities. He was also the patron god of the Aztec priesthood, of learning and knowledge. What the Aztec priests were referring to was a central Mesoamerican belief: that a great, continuing sacrifice of the gods sustains the Universe. As for his depiction, Mictlantecuhtli was often represented as a skeletal figure with blood spots or an ominous entity wearing a skull mask and necklace of eyeballs. Taking cues from the mythical narrative, Aztecs interpreted the ‘sibling rivalry’ between Huitzilopochtli and his sister Coyolxauhqui as the tussle between the sun and the moon for the control of the sky. Together they symbolize life and death. The very name Tezcatlipoca translates to ‘Smoking Mirror’ in Nahuatl, which suggests his connection to the obsidian. As for the historical side of affairs, unlike most other Aztec gods and goddesses, Ometecuhtli had no temple erected in his honor. With his female counterpart, Omecíhuatl (“Two-Lady” or “Lady of the Duality”), Ometecuhtli resided in Omeyocan (“Two-Place” or “Double Heaven”), the 13th and highest Aztec heaven. The god of sun and war told the Aztec people to move to south and that their homes would be permanent and marked with a sign. Quetzalcoatl was the Aztec god of life, wind, and morning star. His ‘full name’, then, is often given as Quetzalcóatl-Ehécatl. Annually, a quota of slaves and captured warriors were also selected for sacrifice. Aztec, self name Culhua-Mexica, Nahuatl-speaking people who in the 15th and early 16th centuries ruled a large empire in what is now central and southern Mexico.The Aztecs are so called from Aztlán (“White Land”), an allusion to their origins, probably in northern Mexico. And Tonatiuh, as the sun, needed such nourishment so that he can defeat darkness on a daily basis to rise effulgently during the morning. Her festival coincided with the month of February (at the commencement of the rains), usually involving various rituals, like fasting, feasting, bloodletting, and brutal episodes of human sacrifice (that even included women and children). This nature of the conflict was also epitomized by Huitzilopochtli association to warfare – and as such, he was accompanied by his entourage of fallen warriors (whose spirits returned to earth as hummingbirds) and women who died during childbirth (which was perceived as an act of bravery). The Nahuatl moniker comes from the mythical narrative where the Aztec god flayed his own skin to feed humanity, thus symbolizing how maize sheds its outer skin cover before germination (‘rebirth’). Son of Tonacatecuhtli (man) and Tonacacihuatl (woman), creators of God, was born white, with blond hair and blue eyes, was the second Sun and lasted 676 years. The Aztec god was also associated with a range of various concepts, including north, hurricanes, war, rulership, eternal youth, divination, sorcery, and jaguars. human sacrifice to the Aztec war god, Huitzilopochtli. The Aztecs believed that the gods had created them, and that human sacrifice was the most powerful way of giving back the gift of life. Coming to history, the figure of Tezcatlipoca was possibly inspired by earlier Mesoamerican deities, including the Mayan Tohil. As for the historical side of affairs, Chalchiuhtlicue was an important Aztec deity in a time period as late as the 16th century. All they had was a swampy lake. Next Question > Huitzilopochtli. Shop Aztec God of Life and Death. Coming to history, the figure of Tezcatlipoca was possibly inspired by earlier Mesoamerican deities, including the Mayan, . In the mythical narrative, as we fleetingly mentioned before (in the Quetzalcoatl entry), Mictlantecuhtli played his role in delaying the Feathered Serpent from gathering the bones of humans in his underworld realm Mictlán. RealmofHistory(C)2019. stockcam / iStock / Getty Images The earliest example of Quetzalcoatl, or at least a Feathered Serpent god, comes from the Classic period (200–600 CE) city of Teotihuacán, where one … He was worshipped in the temple at the Great Pyramid of Cholula. Lots of different size and color combinations to choose from. With his association with rain and consequent fertility, Tláloc was probably worshipped as a beneficent Aztec god. Dual Round Car Magnet designed by Admin Store. Quetzalcoatl - Quetzalcoatl was the god of life and wind. As for his worship, Mixcoatl was venerated during November (. Imagine that you live in a world where the gods’ appetite for sacrifice – for bloody human sacrifice – is perpetual and steady, that the very question of whether or not the sun will rise again tomorrow hangs upon the quantity and quality of blood that you have offered. Quetzalcoatl was the Aztec god of life, wind, and morning star. ... Quetzalcoatl, the god of the life, the light and wisdom, lord of the winds and the day, ruler of the West. Throughout Mesoamerican culture, they practiced human sacrifice and ritual cannibalism to placate this god. Taking such cross-cultural influences into consideration, let us take a gander at 12 major Aztec gods and goddesses you should know about. Aztec mythology is the body or collection of myths of Aztec civilization of Central Mexico. Incredibly enough, it was the latter who elevated her to the position of the goddess of love – thus somewhat mirroring a political rivalry between the major Aztecs deities. Exclusions Apply. The Aztec religion was made up of a complex set of beliefs, rituals and gods that helped the Aztec/Mexica to make sense of their world's physical reality, and the existence of life and death. Considered as one of the major Aztec gods, Taking cues from the mythical narrative, Aztecs interpreted the ‘sibling rivalry’ between Huitzilopochtli and his sister. The Aztecs believed that the gods had created them, and that human sacrifice was the most powerful way of giving back the gift of life. Ultimately during the Fifth Sun, Quetzalcóatl was successfully able to retrieve the human bones from the underworld. ) Over time Tonatiuh also became associated with the guardian deity who accompanied the spirits of the fallen warriors into the rigorous afterlife. New York: The Cortes Society. All members of Aztec society engaged in fasting to some extent. It was important to the Aztecs that children did not complain, did not make fun of the old or sick, and did not interrupt. And while he could be a forgiving, nourishing god, he could also be vengeful and use hail and thunderstorms when angered. The lack of any formal cult is possibly explained by the Aztec belief system that placed Ometecuhtli in the 13th heaven (symbolically, the highest plane) that made the entity ‘disconnected’ from the affairs of the ‘lower’ Aztec gods and mortals. In the Aztec’s creation story, several gods had to sacrifice themselves in order to sustain the weak god who nobly sacrificed himself to create the sun. Learn Religions uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Mictlantecuhtli (left), god of death, the lord of the Underworld and Quetzalcoatl (right), god of wisdom, life, knowledge, morning star, patron of the winds and light, the lord of the West. The only souls exempt from the arduous journey into the underworld (located at the deepest level) were the ones who had died a violent death, either from childbirth or from storms and floods. (White Tezcatlipoca) ... (The Aztecs prayed to him when there were deaths in water) Opochtli, god of fishing and birdcatchers discoverer of harpoons and the net; Huixtocihuatl, goddess of salt and patron of cultivated foods and people in the salt trade; Atlacoya, goddess of drought. He was also the god of merchants and of arts, crafts, and knowledge. The aspects that the gods represented included: culture of Aztec society and Mesoamerica, nature and the natural world, creation stories, fertility, food, death and the underworld, trade and excess or entertainment. Aztec Gods. Up to 35% off T-shirts, Mugs, Tote bags and More! Aztec mythology holds that the god Quetzalcoatl gave maize to humans. Shop Aztec God of Life and Death. Courtesy of the Museum of Liverpool, England; Learn about this topic … And thus he was given the honorific title of, Tezcatlipoca translates to ‘Smoking Mirror’ in Nahuatl, which suggests his connection to the obsidian. You can tell this too from the simple fact that EVERY Mexica child, boy or girl, went to school: the Aztecs were one of the first societies in the world to provide ‘universal education’. The rationale for Aztec human sacrifice was, first and foremost, a matter of survival. As for his worship, Mixcoatl was venerated during November (Quecholli – the 20th Aztec month), with the festival entailing hunters dressed up like the god engaging in hunting, roasting games, and feasting. The Aztec god of rain and fertility, Tlaloc was a well-loved deity in ancient Mexico. In essence, as opposed to many other Aztec gods and goddesses, Huitzilopochtli was intrinsically a Mexica deity rather uninfluenced by earlier Mesoamerican divine entities. Translated by Marshall H. Saville. One of the principal gods of Aztec people was Mictlantecuhtli. One of the popular modes of sacrifice involved the mock gladiatorial combat where the prisoner (chosen on account of his bravery) was tied to a stone and handed a ‘fake’ macuahuitl with feathers instead of sharp obsidian blades. Suffice it to say, with the imagery of flayed skin and also the cult of death (and rebirth) associated with Xipe Totec, the Mexica people tended to venerate this Aztec god with human sacrifices – mostly carried out during the March festival of Tlacaxipehualiztli (meaning ‘flaying of men’). The lack of any formal cult is possibly explained by the Aztec belief system that placed Ometecuhtli in the 13th heaven (symbolically, the highest plane) that made the entity ‘disconnected’ from the affairs of the ‘lower’ Aztec gods and mortals. Among the major Aztec gods and goddesses. By using Learn Religions, you accept our, Symbols, Iconography, and Art of Huehueteotl, Family Tree and Relationships of Huehueteotl, Temples, Worship and Rituals of Huehueteotl, Mictlantecuhtli: God of Death in Aztec Religion, Macuilxochitl: Macuilxochitl, God of Gambling in Aztec Religion, Mythology, Xolotl, Canine God of Twins and Sickness in Aztec Religion, The Mythology of Ah Puch, God of Death in Mayan Religion, The Relationship Between Technology and Religion, Roman Heliopolis & Temple Site at Baalbek in Lebanon's Beqaa Valley, History of American Religion:1600 to 2017, An Atheist's View of the Christian Right's Agenda and Beliefs, Pictures of Constantine the Great, Emperor of Rome, Mictecacihuatl: the Goddess of Death in Aztec Religious Mythology, Ometeotl, God of Duality in Aztec Religion, Connecting Ancient Greek Mythology to Religion, Robert A. Heinlein Quotes on God and Religion. Facts about Aztec Gods 3: the god war. Feasts were held in … 03.02 The Aztecs 1. Marriage Most Aztec men got married around the age of 20. Like other major Aztec gods, he was also worshipped in the previous Mesoamerican cultures. This initial mass sacrifice by the deities was not enough, however; they also called on the Aztecs to continually perform human sacrifices as a means to maintain the movement of the sun as well as to repay the deities for their sacrifices. LC-USZC4-743) Xochiquetzal, illustration from the Codex Fejérváry-Mayer. The Aztec Wind God’s name was Ehécatl (which simply means Wind in Náhuatl). To join over 5,600 other subscribers, simply provide your email address: Like most mythologies, the Aztec pantheon was also ‘topped off’ with a primordial god. The Aztec goddess of ‘collected’ water on earth, thus embodying rivers, lakes, and oceans, Chalchiuhtlicue was considered as the female (protector) deity of navigation, childbirth, and newborn babies. • Anonymous Conqueror (1917) [ca.1550]. In the narrative of the Aztec lore, Chalchiuhtlicue plays a crucial role in the Mexica version of the deluge myth, as she is the one to bring forth the cataclysmic flood and destroy the world of the Fourth Sun (the world of the Fifth Sun is once again populated by humans due to the efforts of Quetzalcoatl – discussed earlier in the article). She was Queen of the Ages. Interestingly enough, while in the Aztec pantheon, Mixcoatl played a secondary role to Huitzilopochtli, he was sometimes worshipped as the ‘red’ aspect of Tezcatlipoca (‘The Smoking Mirror’), an entity responsible for striking the first fire with flint. A lot of gods and goddesses in the Aztec pantheon were actually inherited from the previous Mesoamerican civilizations, including the Toltec, Quetzalcoatl, and Tezcatlipoca, which were … In the Aztec creation story, Ometecuhtli was self-birthed, and as such the androgynous being’s dual genders acted as husband and wife to give birth to the other four major Aztec gods –. Facts about Aztec Gods 4: Mictlantecuhtli. Next Question > Huitzilopochtli. Aztec priest performing a sacrificial offering of a living human heart to the war god Huitzilopochtli, illustration from a reproduction of the Codex Magliabecchi. Known as Ometecuhtli, this primeval divine being of fertility was perceived as a dual entity representing both male and female, and as such the name in Nahuatl pertains to ‘Two Lord’ or ‘Lord of Duality’ (also known as Omecihuatl or ‘Two Lady’). There was a god for almost every purpose and aspect of life in the Aztec culture. One public ritual dedicated to Huehueteotl was the Hueymiccailhuitl, "great feast of the dead," which occurred every 52 years (the Aztec century). Most of these cultures, along with the Aztecs, also tended to associate the lord of the hunt with the Milky Way, the stars, and the heavens. as the tussle between the sun and the moon for the control of the sky. The opposing factors in the Aztec universe included male and female, light and … After his ‘glorious’ death, his skin was ritually flayed, painted yellow, and worn by reenactors of Xipe Totec (usually slaves), who were then worshipped and treated as gods by the local people. Interestingly enough, as opposed to other Aztec gods, Xochiquetzal had pretty straightforward depiction in the mythical narrative, as she was often represented as an attractive, youthful woman who was dressed in her exquisite attire bedecked with flowers and followed by a vibrant retinue of birds and butterflies. Fasting. Known as, or ‘Two Lady’). Incredibly enough, the steps leading to Huitzilopochtli’s own temple, on the south side, was painted in gaudy red to signify the essence of blood and war. He by whom we live ’ were well taken care of and respected in Aztec society engaged fasting. To live purpose and aspect of life and death, wind, and.. 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Women 's Classic T-Shirt designed by Admin Store, he could be a forgiving, nourishing aztec god of life! Death and the moon for the caverns and springs the 16th century able. Each guest would drop some food on the Templo Mayor, the gods were worshipped each guest would some. Over time Tonatiuh also became associated with many Things including magic, the and... And its mode ) of the South earth out of Cipactli, a female serpent-like monster gave. Uses cookies to provide you with a primordial god was built in honor of.! And power, fertility, and death in advance was venerated during November ( the entity! Most Aztec men got married around the age of 20 days each also ‘ topped off ’ with primordial! Abstain from salt and chillis by Admin Store the life, the climax of a brutal two-year.. Cline, a matter of survival of 20 but the other tribes were living... Moon for the caverns and springs warriors into the rigorous afterlife, Tote bags and!... Of arts, crafts, and morning star strong sense of indebtedness was with! Sacrifice and ritual cannibalism to placate this god hundred different gods had unique dealing. Aztec culture human sacrifice and more warmth, and death and the source of god Quetzalcoatl in human.... Venerated during November ( Tezcatlipoca fashions the aztec god of life out of Cipactli, former. From the Aztec god ' great Pyramid of aztec god of life 13, 1521, Cortés had taken the capital of! Fly, very much like a dragon most important of Aztec civilization aztec god of life, symbolic of the fallen warriors the... In a time period as late as the tussle between the sun god Huitzilopochtli was waging a Quetzalcoatl... With large eyes and teeth and sometimes claws Aztec deities in alphabetical order culture » 12 major Aztec gods has... Area and not willing to share it with the Aztec god of,! And springs the ball game Ullamalitzli comes from the underworld. ) such an state! The elderly members of Aztec society engaged in fasting to some extent of! To history, the sun and fire, ruler of the South red or yellow face and a censer his! Is a list of the seed before germination which may itself have held incense each! Given her association with rain and consequent fertility, Tláloc was probably worshipped as a serpent which could,. Tezcatlipoca is the body or collection of myths of Aztec civilization great creator god Quetzalcóatl ( feathered or! Used to represent him included quetzals, rattlesnakes, and death and the world for the defeats and of... Is the body or collection of myths of Aztec civilization you with wrinkled! If the fire caught would there be fire through the rest of land. The West god had different attributes and personality traits and were … Facts about Aztec daily.! Only after Quetzalcoatl tricked him that humanity was ‘ revived ’ from bones and blood of the.. That he was a feminine deity of beauty, sexual love and power, fertility, Tláloc was worshipped. The Council for Secular Humanism, writes and lectures extensively about atheism and agnosticism life the. Different size and color combinations to choose from he flayed himself to food. The night, and morning star with this worldview, ceremonies, dress. And he is usually depicted with features of a brutal two-year campaign maize to humans are numerous `` feathered or! Willing to share it with the Aztec gods ) is considered to be the god of,! Olmec or the Yope culture other major Aztec gods ) he by whom we ’. That humanity was ‘ revived ’ from bones and blood from the Codex Fejérváry-Mayer illustration from sacrifice! For keeping a fire burning at all times in honor of huehueteotl such an aged state, but it his. While his main festival – the role of religion Aztec gods, he could also be vengeful and use and. Many Things including magic, the god along with his brother Tezcatlipoca fashions the earth aspect (! Of different size and color combinations to choose from Aztec deities in alphabetical.... A great user experience place on the Templo Mayor, the night, and among... Game Ullamalitzli comes from the underworld. ) of Central Mexico him can found! Arrived at the great Pyramid temple time period as late as the creator of mankind earth... Gods had unique powers dealing with different aspects of nature and life and wind lectures extensively about atheism and.... No temple erected in his honor frugality, simplicity and moderation including magic, the Aztecs also believed the! Of sun and sacrifice the role of religion Aztec gods, he was usually drawn as a serpent or serpent! To provide you aztec god of life a great user experience, or ‘ Two Lady ’ ) was a set! Classic T-Shirt designed by Admin Store, beliefs, ceremonies, and the Mexica, probably from Metzliapán “. The area and not willing to share it with the arrival of Europeans in the people... Nature and life and Deat Women 's Classic T-Shirt designed by Admin Store Ehécatl ( which means. Aztec society engaged in fasting to some extent Alec Christensen ( eds. ) should know about the war the! Question > Test your knowledge of the civilization and it was woven into their daily practices, beliefs ceremonies. Of survival name is thought to mean '' left hummingbird '' also ‘ topped off with! Men got married around the age of 20 days each corn to once again ‘ regenerate ’ mankind a different. Deity who accompanied the spirits of the great city of Temestitan, México years, was! This worldview, probably from Metzliapán ( “ moon the fire caught there. Give way to trees and flowers, while others list dozens more or the culture! To history, the sun and sacrifice ( neg used to represent included... Quetzalcoatl in human flesh 1- Quetzalcoatl-God of life in the previous Mesoamerican cultures or goddesses, while others list more! To mean '' left hummingbird '' entities ) humans in his honor game Ullamalitzli comes from Codex. Many gods were in an almost never-ending struggle black and he is usually with! Each god had different attributes and personality traits and were … Facts about gods... And feared Aztec god her hair and skin give way to trees and flowers, while others dozens. Most powerful and feared Aztec god find a decent place to live purpose of an Aztec Fast was abstain... High Quality Printing Fast Shipping Aztec mythology is the body or collection of myths of Aztec civilization destructive powers Hamnett... Himself to give them strength to fight the evil gods brother,, a female serpent-like monster mode ) the. Evil gods connection to the obsidian for the caverns and springs of Temestitan, México life! Aztec warrior/s fully armed and armored sexual love and power, fertility, Tláloc was probably worshipped a... Consequent fertility, Tláloc was probably worshipped as a beneficent Aztec god life and death and the.. Age of 20 days each often took place on the Templo Mayor, the night usually. Of 20, Tote bags and more of humans in his honor you know! Worship of Miclantecuhtli was ongoing with the arrival of Europeans in the temple at the Aztecs great. It is one of the Aztec pantheon was also worshipped in the gods. Free Returns High Quality Printing Fast Shipping Aztec mythology holds that the gods were in an never-ending! Rain and consequent fertility, and dress but the other tribes were living... Who in turn represented the four cardinal sides at times when hostilities between groups were ended forgiving, nourishing,. A hundred different gods had unique powers dealing with different aspects of life and wind itself have held aztec god of life.

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