Aztec Religion

Tlaquetzqui (storyteller) of the codices and pulque drinker. Religion and mythology of the Aztecs and Mesoamerica. Master’s Degree in Theology.

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Acayatl, the Tlapehuiloni of

Cuzcatlan

In the Nahua area of ancient El Salvador in the region of Cuzcatlan lived the descendants of the Toltecs who fled the destruction of Tollan.

In the rivers and lakes are two Tlaphhuiloni, ghosts of ancestors who haunt and terrify the people.

Acayatl haunts the river and lakes as a young boy in a boat rowing along with a woman in his company. Her name is Chasca and was his lover until she committed suicide when she was not allowed to be with him. He only appears at night in the full moon but if you're able to see him before he sees you he will do no harm to you.

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Teteo and Protectors of Children

I was asked who were the deities of children.

Although there's probably more here's some of the most recognizable.

Tezcatlipoca- guardian of the paradise

Chichihuacuauhco where babies and children went to await there rebirth on Anahuacby suckling on breasts that grow on a tree.

Ixtlilton - brings good dreams to children.

Piltzintecuhtli - he adopted Nanahuatzin with Mayahuel who had just been abandoned by his mother due to his deformities he fathered Centeotl and Chicomecoatl.

Yohualtecuhtli - a lord of night he brings peaceful sleep to children.

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The Kiss of Tlazolteotl and the Quetzal

During a ritual Mictlantecuhtli the god of the dead, who is dressed in full regalia, is on the right presiding over a ritual scene where a naked and pregnant Tlazolteotl goddess of midwives and pregnant women is being kissed by a descending quetzal bird. In between is a sacrificial bowl with the tail of a red coral snake, a companion of Tlazolteotl, as well as wood bundles.

Photo: Codex Laud

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The Beautiful Bird and the Eagle In this account by Fray Diego Duran in his codex the image of the founding of Tenochtitlan does not have a serpent or even the atl-tlachinolli war symbol with the eagle. In this account a beautiful feathered bird being devoured by the eagle is depicted.

According to his Historia de las Indias de Nueva España e Islas de la Tierra Firme, Duran says that the Mexica saw the tuna (prickly pear fruit) with an eagle on top with wings spread to the rays of the sun with a bird with beautiful shining feathers in its talons.

Photo: Codex Matrinese

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Codex Fejervary-Mayer Tezcatlipoca

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Xochitonal, the giant iguana who lived in the black waters of the river Apanuiayo in Mictlan. If any souls did not have a itzcuintli dog to help them cross the river, he would devour their souls.

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The Four Wives of Tezcatlipoca

During the feast of Toxcatl a sacrifice of a youth dressed as Tezcatlipoca was carried out.

He was accompanied by four girls who also impersonated deities that of Xochiquetzal, Xilonen, Atlatona, and Huixtocihuatl.

We know of the story when Tezcatlipoca stole Xochiquetzal from Tlaloc and Tlaloc refused to let it rain until he eventually rained fire and destroyed the Third Sun. But there are no stories left behind about the other four. Did he abduct them too¿? We'll never know but what the four wives represent what is essential to life: love, food, water and salt.

Photos: Book of the Rites, Primeros Memoriales

Middle photo: Florentine Codex

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Itztlacoliuhqui-Ixquimilli, lord of cold, stone, and justice.

Here he is the ruler of the twelfth day sign, 1 lizard. He's blindfolded and is dressed in cotton. He wears a long curved cap with obsidian spikes and an arrow in it. His clothes are decorated in paper ornaments and bells.

He has a gold ring in his nose and holds a bundle of grass.

Across from him are a man and woman who have been punished and died for committing adultery.

Above him from the top left is bloody wood, a bloody serpent in a censor, a bloody arrow, the night sky, and pitcher of spilled water.

Below that are a bloody copal incense, a spilled pulque pitcher, and bloody stone.

Above the dead woman are a bloody shield, a bloody shell and bloody agave spines.

On the bottom is a double headed snake, a jug of water, a scepter with an animal head, a bloody weaver's knife.

In the middle is an offering tripod with decorated staffs of jades, flowers, and agave.

Photo: Codex Borbonicus

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Huemac-Quetzalcoatl, king and priest of Tula-Tollan Photo: Codex Vaticanus 3738

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The Three Animistic Forces

Upon Death

This image depicts the souls of the body when one dies. The first one can be seen on the top of the head in the shape of a serpent and probably represents the tonalli. The second is represented by the head of Ehecatl the wind teoti, and represents the teyolia which carries the spirit to its resting place. And the third is the ihiyotl (night wind) represented by the large red serpent which escapes the body as gasses.

The skeleton can be seen falling backwards away from the spirit forces.

Photo: Codex Laud

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When her [Chalchiuhtlicue] feast day was celebrated, it was likewise in [the month of] Etzalqualiztli, when the feast day of the rain-gods was celebrated.

They formed her image over a framework of wood; they put a skirt upon her, and a shift; they placed a necklace upon her —a plaited necklace, from which hung a golden disc.

And they offered her offerings; her fire priests came out to receive her. They strewed the yiauhtli herb before her.

With the mist rattle-board they went speaking; the elders of the calpulli, her singers, sang for her.

And right before her image died a woman slave whom they had bought. The water merchants exhibited her; those who gained their livelihoods from water, those who brought water in boats, those who owned boats, those who lived on the water, the boat makers, those who served water in the market place.

Likewise they arrayed her, made offerings, and ornamented her; for she would go, when she died, to a place called Talocan. In the temple of the Tlalocs they opened her breast.

Then Moctezuma especially honored [the god-dess]. Before her image incense was offered; he beheaded quail for her.

Thus they said: "The lord gaineth rain; he doth a penance for his people." And then they were thankful as they paid honor to the waters, [for] they remembered that because of her we live.

She is our sustenance. And thence come all things that are necessary.