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 across the night sky, resulting in the creation of days and nights. The Aztecs would offer him blood sacrifices in exchange for his continued efforts to preserve the Earth’s integrity. The Aztecs believed that if they did not make sacrifices to placate their gods, the fifth sun would become dark and the world would end.