Aztec gods were extremely revered by the Aztecs. They feared and worshipped their gods. To thank their gods for everything they had supplied, the Aztecs erected temples and offered sacrifices to them. Before and after conflicts, they conducted sacrifices to satisfy their gods, which sometimes involved human sacrifices. There were gods of war, water, the harvest, and a variety of other things. The Aztecs spent a significant amount of time worshipping their gods.
Aztec mythology is the body or collection of myths associated with Central Mexico’s Aztec culture. The Aztecs were Nahuatl-speaking peoples who lived in central Mexico and shared much of their mythology with other Mesoamerican cultures. Legend has it that the numerous clans that would become the Aztecs landed in the Anahuac region near Lake Texcoco from the north.
The location of the target valley and lake is obvious – it is in the middle of modern-day Mexico City – but little is known about the Aztecs’ origins with certainty. Their origins have been attributed to a variety of people. According to legend, the Mexica/Aztec forefathers came from a site called Aztlan in the north, the last of seven nahuatlacas (Nahuatl-speaking tribes, from tlaca, “man”) to make the voyage southward, hence their name “Azteca.” Others claim they came from Chicomoztoc, “the land of the seven caves,” or Tamoanchan (the legendary origin of all civilizations).
Symbol of growth, fertility, love, pleasure, and creativity. Xochipilli was the Aztec god of art, games, beauty, dance, flowers, and song. He represented the joy and pleasure of life, often depicted as a youthful figure surrounded by flowers and playing musical instruments. Xochipilli was associated with creativity, festivity, and the natural world, embodying the essence … Read more
Symbol of love, protection, and power. Xochiquetzal, whose name means “Flower Feather” in the Nahuatl language, is a captivating figure from Aztec mythology, embodying beauty, fertility, love, and female sexual power. As the goddess of flowers, love, young women, and the arts, Xochiquetzal was revered for her ability to stir desire and oversee the delicate … Read more
Symbol of purification, fertility, birth. Tlazolteotl, an intriguing deity in the Aztec pantheon, was known as the goddess of purification, filth, and sin. This multifaceted goddess played a complex role in Aztec religion, embodying the concepts of both the creator and absolver of sin. She was associated with the earth, fertility, and childbirth, as well … Read more
Symbol of sustenance, good fortune. Centeotl, also known as Centéotl, was the Aztec god of maize (corn), representing agriculture, fertility, and the sustenance of life. He played a crucial role in the Aztec pantheon due to the central importance of maize as a staple crop in Mesoamerican civilizations. Maize was not only a primary food … Read more
Symbol of renewal, rebirth. Xipe Totec, known as “Our Lord the Flayed One,” was a prominent deity in the Aztec pantheon, symbolizing themes of death, rebirth, and renewal. He was the god of agriculture, vegetation, spring, goldsmiths, and the seasons, representing the cycle of life that follows death and the new growth that emerges from … Read more
Symbol of sacrifice, fire, and war Huitzilopochtli was the Aztec deity of war and was the son of Ometecuhtli/Omecihuatl. He was a sign of fire since he was carrying a fire serpent. He became the fifth sun because he was so powerful and strong. The stars, or Tzizimimeh, were enraged at Huitzilopochtli and chased him … Read more
Symbol of the present, war. Chalchiuhtlicue and Tlaloc had a son named Tonatiuh. He was picked to be the fifth sun, but he was unable to jump into the flames when the time arrived. Tonatiuh was humiliated when Nanahuatl jumped into the flames. He swiftly followed, and the two of them combined to form two … Read more
Humility’s symbol. Nanahuatl was a god with sores all over his body. He was a gentle God who genuinely cared about everyone. Nanahuatl is frequently represented as a divinity rising from the ashes. When the gods needed a fifth sun, they chose Nanahuatl and Tonatiuh as the moon and sun, respectively. The gods made Nanahuatl … Read more
Childbirth, fertility, and protection are all represented by this symbol. Chalchiuhtlicue was the goddess of baptisms, rivers, storms, and the seas. She protected mothers and children while also ensuring that the harvests were fertile. Tlaloc married her for the second time. She was the fourth sun, and she was a kind monarch who cared for … Read more
Fertility symbol. Tialoc, the god of fertility, rain, and water, was the third sun. He could be kind or merciless. By showering the Earth with rain or hurling thunderbolts or hail down from the sky, he either gave life or took it away. Shellfish, amphibians, snails, and herons were among Tlaloc’s animal forms. He lived … Read more