DIOSES AZTECAS
If you want to know about the Aztec Gods of Mexican culture, I invite you to read this guide to the best-known gods of Mexico.
I always wanted to represent the gods since they are part of our Mexican culture and I feel that it is important to be able to know what our ancestors were like and what deities they venerated.
The city of Tenochtitlán was the epicenter of such a civilization, planted on an islet in the middle of the ancient Lake of Texcoco and connected with three large roads that led to the Valley of Mexico. The Aztecs were known for their great skills at the time of settling there. region and for the role that religion had in their daily life. The Aztec gods were supreme entities that governed the worldview of the Mexica world and were responsible for maintaining balance. At the beginning of time, when nothing existed, Ometeotl arose: the god who created himself. Later, Ometéotl gave life to Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl.
Ometecuhtli y Omecihuatl
Dioses de la creación, la astrología y los calendarios
Before the creation of man, long before the creation of the earth, we could talk that there was nothing in the universe, they only met, a couple that represented duality in the universe, these two gods were in charge of creating everything we know, the fathers of all the subsequent gods.
They are considered archetypes of the sexual division of human beings, they also have the ability to face supernatural powers. Cipactónal is male since he is in charge of wisdom and the creator of the other gods, he is also called Ometecuhtli, and Oxomoco is feminine, although the name is more masculine, she is in charge of divination, weaving and midwives, also called Omecihuatl, both are the dualicada or Ometeotl "the dual lord". In Mayan mythology they would be related to Itzam Na (male) and Ix Chel (female), both are primitive couples.
Ometecuhtli represents the masculine essence of creation and Omecihuatl represents the feminine essence. Together they are the Adam and Eve of Nahuatl mythology.
This couple lived at the top of the visible and invisible spaces of the cosmos.
Coatlicue
Diosa de la fertilidad
After the creation of the universe, Coatlicue was in charge of giving birth to all the gods of Aztec mythology, goddess of fertility and mother of all the earth. She is considered "mother of the gods" or as "the grandmother deity." Coatlicue descends from the Creative Couple.
She was venerated by the Aztecs because they considered that they themselves had been born of her, women were theones who worshipped her the most when they sought to start a family.
Tonatiuh
Dios del Sol
The world was still plunged into darkness. The gods held a council in the city of Teotihuacán to decide who would become the Fifth Sun and illuminate humanity. The chosen one would have to sacrifice himself by jumping into a bonfire from a high platform built on it.
The first aspirant was Tecciztecatl, a rich and haughty God, son of Tlaloc and Chalchiuhtlicue. The sickly Nanahuatzin also volunteered for the honor, although with some reluctance. Before the gods chose, the two aspirants had to fast and purify themselves by shedding their own blood.
The first aspirant was Tecciztecatl, a rich and haughty God, son of Tlaloc and Chalchiuhtlicue. The sickly Nanahuatzin also volunteered for the honor, although with some reluctance. Before the gods chose, the two aspirants had to fast and purify themselves by shedding their own blood.
While Tecciztecatl and Nanahuatzin prepared, the other gods lit the bonfire. After four days of rituals the decisive moment arrived. The first to have to prove his worth was the arrogant Tecciztecatl, who was unable to jump into the flames. On the contrary, Nanahuatzin jumped without hesitation from the platform to the bonfire and was incinerated. Embarrassed, Tecciztecatl quickly imitated him.
The flames went out and suddenly Nanahuatzin shot into the sky and became the Fifth Sun, which returned light to the world. Now it is called Tonatiuh. Shortly after, Tecciztecatl also rose into the sky. Now there were two suns, something the gods had not foreseen, Tecciztecatl had proven that he was not worthy of being a new sun. Papaztac, the God of pulque, threw a rabbit at Tecciztecatly's face thus reducing his luminosity to guarantee that he would never shine as bright as a sun. He became Meztli, the moon, which still bears the mark of the rabbit.
Tonatiuh is one of the most important Aztec gods, since he is considered the Mexican god of the Sun and leader of the sky. He was in charge of giving warmth to his people with his power. He was also considered the patron saint of warriors. He sought vigor and health for all those responsible for defending the Aztec people.
Fifth Sun
Fifth Sun
Mictlantecuhtli y Mictecacihuatl
Dios y Diosa de la muerte
The creation of a new universe
The Mexica cosmogony points out four creations of the world along with their respective destructions. Once those cycles ended, the myth of the rise of the Fifth Sun took place.
In this, it is said that, in the midst of darkness and chaos, Huehuetéotl, god of fire, appeared, who asked that some deity throw himself into the bonfire that he had created so that he would be reborn in the form of the sun. This is how Nanahuatzin, a sick god full of pustules, offered himself. Seconds later, Tecciztécatl, the Lord of the Snails, also did so. The latter, unlike Nanahuatzin, was strong but also arrogant.
Both gentlemen prepared for the sacrifice. However, on the big day, Tecciztécatl repented, so Nanahuatzin, without showing any sign of cowardice, took the plunge. Jealous, Tecciztécatl also threw himself into the bonfire and then two suns emerged.
As two stars could not coexist or the world would collapse, it was decided that Nanahuatzin, thanks to his great courage, would become the sun while Tecciztécatl would become the moon. After Nanahuatzin rose into the sky, the era of the Fifth Sun began, a new era for the Mexica.
The Mexica cosmogony points out four creations of the world along with their respective destructions. Once those cycles ended, the myth of the rise of the Fifth Sun took place.
In this, it is said that, in the midst of darkness and chaos, Huehuetéotl, god of fire, appeared, who asked that some deity throw himself into the bonfire that he had created so that he would be reborn in the form of the sun. This is how Nanahuatzin, a sick god full of pustules, offered himself. Seconds later, Tecciztécatl, the Lord of the Snails, also did so. The latter, unlike Nanahuatzin, was strong but also arrogant.
Both gentlemen prepared for the sacrifice. However, on the big day, Tecciztécatl repented, so Nanahuatzin, without showing any sign of cowardice, took the plunge. Jealous, Tecciztécatl also threw himself into the bonfire and then two suns emerged.
As two stars could not coexist or the world would collapse, it was decided that Nanahuatzin, thanks to his great courage, would become the sun while Tecciztécatl would become the moon. After Nanahuatzin rose into the sky, the era of the Fifth Sun began, a new era for the Mexica.
The new universe was recreated on Cipactli, a giant snake that floats in the void. In Cipactli's head thirteen heavens were formed; In the center is Tlipac, the earth, and in its tail nine underworlds emerged. Throughout these spaces the gods live where, according to the writer Adela Fernández y Fernández, “the superior and inferior forces converge on the earth, influencing it; Likewise, daily the celestial bodies fall into the underworld and emerge from "it.”
Lord of the underworld and shadows, Mictlantecuhtli was in charge of guiding and caring for the souls that had left the earth and who had taken the path towards Mictlán, the underworld for the Aztecs, a place that is not similar to hell, remember that The Aztecs believed that life continued on another existential plane of which the god of death was in charge.
Mictecacihuatl, Lady of Mictlán and wife of Mictlantecuhtli.
HUEHUETÉOTL
Dios del fuego
Xiuhtecuhtli was the patron god of the Aztec emperors, who were considered his living incarnation upon his enthronement. Stone sculptures of Xiuhtecuhtli were ritually buried as offerings, and several figurines have been recovered during excavations at the Great Temple of Tenochtitlán with which he was closely associated. The statuettes of the temple deity depict a man sitting with his arms crossed.
Xiuhtecuhtli's face is painted with black and red pigment. On his head he has a paper crown painted with different colors and motifs. At the top of the crown there are flames of fire.
He was also named Cuezaltzin, llama and Ixcozauhqui and is sometimes considered to be the same as Huehueteotl: ancient god.
Xiuhtecuhtli crossed the universe from Mictlan, which is why he was associated with ideas of the purification, transformation and regeneration of the world.
Xiuhtecuhtli is the Lord of fire, day and heat. He was also the lord of volcanoes, the personification of life after death, warmth in the cold, light in the darkness and food during famine.
Xiuhtecuhtli crossed the universe from Mictlan, which is why he was associated with ideas of the purification, transformation and regeneration of the world.
Xiuhtecuhtli is the Lord of fire, day and heat. He was also the lord of volcanoes, the personification of life after death, warmth in the cold, light in the darkness and food during famine.
Xiuhtecuhtli was also one of the nine Lords of the Night and ruled the first hour of the night, called Cipactli (“Crocodile”). Scholars have long emphasized that this fire deity also has aquatic qualities.
Huitzilopochtli
Dios de la guerra
Born from the womb of Coatlicue and who tore apart the brothers who wanted to kill his mother, this divine being was in charge of guiding the Mexica on their way to the promised land. He was well known since he had a shield with feathers and wielded a sword in the form of a fiery serpent.
He is the most powerful god of Mexico, Huitzilopochtli is considered the Father of the Aztecs, so that he was their main patron.
Huitzilopochtli, who is the most powerful god in Aztec mythology, is also the son of the god Tonatiuh and the goddess Coatlicue. When he was born, he was not supported by his family, but they brought out his worth by using a fire snake as a weapon. He ended up becoming ruler of the Sun.
Huitzilopochtli, who is the most powerful god in Aztec mythology, is also the son of the god Tonatiuh and the goddess Coatlicue. When he was born, he was not supported by his family, but they brought out his worth by using a fire snake as a weapon. He ended up becoming ruler of the Sun.
Xipe Tótec
Dios de la abundancia, el amor y la riqueza
Xipe Totec was revered for having optimal agricultural fertility. He was also the deity of the gold mines and the east. This Mexican god was depicted wearing flayed human skin, representing the death of old, dying plants and the growth of new shoots.
Tezcatlipoca
Dios del cielo y de la tierra
Perhaps the most feared and at the same time the most revered god, Tezcatlipoca “the one with the smoking mirror” was a divine being with immense power that brought prosperity, wealth or caused wars and discord at will, considered one of the gods in charge of creating the man, he had the ability to become invisible and wander through different worlds doing whatever he wanted.
First Sun
First Sun
Quetzalcóatl
Dios del viento, la vida y de la sabiduría
He was known as "the serpent with feathers" and his level of importance was so high that he was considered by some to be the main god of the Aztec pantheon, competing with Huitzilopochtli, who is the most powerful god in Aztec mythology.
Quetzalcoatl is the Aztec god of light, life, fertility, wisdom, winds, learning and knowledge. Furthermore, this god was the patron of creativity. He was considered the ruler of the west and the patron saint of the day.
Quetzalcoatl is the Aztec god of light, life, fertility, wisdom, winds, learning and knowledge. Furthermore, this god was the patron of creativity. He was considered the ruler of the west and the patron saint of the day.
On their long journey to the Valley of Mexico, the Aztecs made two very important stops, the first in the ancient city of Tula and the second in the abandoned city of Teotihuacán, the Aztecs learned of the existence of the feathered serpent and adopted him as their god. , awaiting his return to guide them to eternal glory with his immense wisdom.
Second Sun
Second Sun
Tláloc
Dios de la lluvia
In charge of providing the vital liquid to humanity, lord of thunder and a fundamental part for the development of crops, Tláloc was one of the gods for whom the highest respect was held, each harvest season different sacrifices were offered to him in his honor to ensure the rains and that the water that was around the city did not cause destruction in the city.
He was associated with good agricultural production and fertility. He was also known as "nectar of the earth" and "he who made things sprout", but phenomena such as lightning and earthquakes were also attributed to him.
Third Sun
Third Sun
Chalchiuhtlicue
Diosa de los lagos y corrientes de agua
Chalchiuhtlicue is one of the Aztec goddesses who also had power over running waters and freshwater. The meaning of her name is "she of the jade skirt" and she was also the Aztec goddess of births. In the temples, she was represented with a skirt of greenish and bluish tones, representing a waterfall.
Chalchiuhtlicue was also considered the most important protector of coastal navigation in ancient Mexico.
Fourth Sun
Fourth Sun
Tlacotzontli
Diosa protectora de los caminos nocturnos
Protector of the roads to make her favorable, travelers came before her bleeding with hawthorn branches.
Yacatecuhtli
Dios de los mercaderes y viajeros
He was an Aztec god, protector of merchants and traders. To obtain his blessings, those who could afford it offered their slaves to this Mexican god. In the representation of him, Yacatecuhli stands out for his prominent nose that was used as an indicator of the path to follow.
Centeotl
Dios del sustento
This Aztec god is also known by the name Cintéotl and is the deity of corn. This food was essential in Mesoamerican cultures. Therefore, it is not strange that the Aztecs had their own god for this vegetable.
Corn meant the representation of sustenance and duality, of drunkenness and alcohol consumption for ceremonial purposes.
Corn meant the representation of sustenance and duality, of drunkenness and alcohol consumption for ceremonial purposes.
Amimitl
Dios de los pescadores y de los lagos
“Water dart.” He was the Mexica god of lakes and fishermen who calmed storms. He was worshiped on Cuitláhuac, which was formerly an island in Lake Chalco.
Xochipilli
Dios del amor, la belleza, la danza y el placer
Flower Prince: Young god of festivals, painting, dance, games, singing, love and writing. He punished those who did not fast with secret illnesses.
Ixtlilton
Dios de la medicina y de los festivales
This Aztec god represented dance, fun, games and celebration. He was the patron saint of Aztec festivities. He was also considered the Aztec god of medicine and healing. Those who were injured were taken to his temple.
Ixtlilton was considered an Aztec deity who took care of children, especially those born with a disability.
Ixtlilton was considered an Aztec deity who took care of children, especially those born with a disability.
Meztli
Diosa de la luna
He was one of the most respected Aztec deities in the Aztec pantheon. She was the representation of maternal love. She had the ability to control the waters through the action of her snakes, causing a series of storms and floods. Still, she also offered good luck.
Ehécatl
Dios del viento
The god of the wind and creator of the earth, the heavens and the current race of men when rescuing the bones of the old men of Mictlan, in his dedication to Quetzalcóatl. As the god of the West, he is one of those who hold up the sky. He blew the wind that cleared the path of the Tlaloque (minor gods of rain, Tláloc's assistants).
Mayahuel
Diosa del maguey
The gods of the Mexica pantheon felt sorry for men when they saw that they had food and sustenance, but nothing that would gladden their hearts, make them dance, sing, or produce them pleasure and joy. So they began to discuss what they could give them, however they could not agree. Then Quetzalcóatl remembered Mayahuel, the young woman possessed a magical plant that would not only grant joy to men; She would also give them shelter, drink, food and many more gifts. The gods entrusted Quetzalcoatl with the task of bringing it.
She lived secluded in the sky with her grandmother Tzitzímitl, one of the celestial demons of darkness who try to prevent the sun from leaving her, who jealously guarded her, prohibiting her from leaving her without her permission, at the risk of losing her life. life as punishment for disobeying her.
In this way the young god, turned into 'Ehécatl' (wind) decided to travel at night while everyone was sleeping to the distant place where Mayahuel lived imprisoned: "I'm coming to look for you to take you to the world" he told her when he woke her up, convincing her with his soft words to accompany him to the world of men to share his magical plant.
Although the risk was very high, the maiden decided to escape with Quetzalcoatl.
Although the risk was very high, the maiden decided to escape with Quetzalcoatl.
While fleeing from it, the young couple fell in love without being able to avoid it, promising each other eternal love at the end of their mission of granting the very special plant to humanity.
The lovers were transformed into a tree with two branches. However, her grandmother soon realized Mayahuel's absence, so accompanied by the other Tzitzimime goddesses of darkness, they descended to earth to look for the couple.
When they discovered the tree, they pounced on it and broke it in two. The Tzitzimime attacked Mayahuel and tore her to pieces.
The lovers were transformed into a tree with two branches. However, her grandmother soon realized Mayahuel's absence, so accompanied by the other Tzitzimime goddesses of darkness, they descended to earth to look for the couple.
When they discovered the tree, they pounced on it and broke it in two. The Tzitzimime attacked Mayahuel and tore her to pieces.
But Quetzalcoatl's branch remained intact since she had survived the attack and her heart was broken. The god returned to his original form and gathered the bones of his beloved, which he buried and mourned on the ground. Her pain caused the 'metl' or maguey plant to grow. When its trunk is scraped, a sweet liquid flows out, which when fermented becomes 'octli' (pulque) that would awaken the joy of men.
Within the group of Aztec goddesses, Mayahuel was the deity of fertility, the agave plant and nutrition. It was believed that her blood was made from pulque, that is, an alcoholic drink made from agave.
This Aztec goddess was represented as a woman with 400 breasts with which she could feed her 400 rabbits, which were called Centzon Totochtin.
This Aztec goddess was represented as a woman with 400 breasts with which she could feed her 400 rabbits, which were called Centzon Totochtin.
Huehuecóyotl
Dios de la música y patrón de la sexualidad
In the pre-Hispanic pantheon, Huehuecóyotl occupies a place as a bisexual god associated with ambivalent traits of his animal form, the coyote, hence the Nahua translation as the “old coyote” god, a figure in which music and dance are expressed, but also characteristics such as lust and carnal desire, giving way to the erotic dimension of the ancient Mexica.
In Mexica mythology he is the god of the arts, lord of music and ceremonial dance, guide of adulthood and adolescence. In the Bourbon Codex he is represented as a coyote dancing with human hands and feet.
Tlazolteotl
Diosa del amor
She is the goddess of beauty and sensual love. She was known as "the dirt eater" because she was believed to visit people who were about to die. The goddess Tlazoltéotl showed the contradictions of some moral values about femininity in Aztec society: she brought suffering with venereal diseases and cured it with medicine, she inspired sexual deviations, but at the same time she had the ability to absolve them, and all of this was mother goddess of fertility, childbirth, patron saint of doctors and at the same time cruel goddess who brought madness.
