The People of the Sun
Aztlán is the legendary homeland of the Mexica otherwise known as the Aztecs, a Mesoamerican civilization that flourished in central Mexico from the 14th to the 16th century. According to Aztec mythology, the gods instructed the Aztecs to leave Aztlán and search for a new place to settle after a great flood. After a long journey, they found the Valley of Mexico, where they saw an eagle perched on a cactus holding a serpent in its beak. This was a sign that they had found their new home, and they founded the city of Tenochtitlan on the site. The image of the eagle on a cactus holding a serpent became the symbol of the Aztecs and is now the national symbol of Mexico.
The exact location of Aztlán is unknown, but it is often associated with the northwestern region of Mexico. Some believe it was a real place, while others view it as a symbol of the Aztecs’ search for their cultural roots. The Aztecs were known for their advanced agriculture, architecture, and writing system, and their empire was one of the largest and most powerful in the world at the time. However, their civilization was eventually conquered by the Spanish, who introduced European diseases and imposed their own religion and culture on the Aztecs. Many aspects of Aztec culture have survived and continue to influence modern Mexican culture.
The Fifth Sun
The Mesoamerican myth of the creation of the Fifth Sun, or the current age, tells the story of how the gods Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca created the land and sky and then created the first humans. According to the myth, the earth was covered in water after the flood that ended the fourth sun, and a giant earth monster named Tlaltecuhtli swam in the sea searching for flesh to eat. Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca turned themselves into serpents and tore Tlaltecuhtli in half, using the upper part of her body to create the land and the lower part to create the stars and heavens.
To create people, Quetzalcoatl was sent to the underworld, Mictlan, to retrieve the bones of the people of the fourth sun. Mictlantecuhtli, the Lord of the Underworld, initially allowed Quetzalcoatl to gather the bones, but later changed his mind and set several tests to block Quetzalcoatl’s mission. Despite these challenges, Quetzalcoatl managed to gather the bones and return to the gods’ paradise of Tamoanchan.
There, the old goddess Cihuaoatl ground the bones into a powder and placed it in a jade bowl. Quetzalcoatl and the other gods shed their blood upon the ground bones, and the first people of the fifth sun were created. However, these first humans were weak and had nothing to eat, so the gods discovered corn as a sustenance for them.
To create people, Quetzalcoatl was sent to the underworld, Mictlan, to retrieve the bones of the people of the fourth sun. Mictlantecuhtli, the Lord of the Underworld, initially allowed Quetzalcoatl to gather the bones, but later changed his mind and set several tests to block Quetzalcoatl’s mission. Despite these challenges, Quetzalcoatl managed to gather the bones and return to the gods’ paradise of Tamoanchan.
There, the old goddess Cihuaoatl ground the bones into a powder and placed it in a jade bowl. Quetzalcoatl and the other gods shed their blood upon the ground bones, and the first people of the fifth sun were created. However, these first humans were weak and had nothing to eat, so the gods discovered corn as a sustenance for them.
This myth is part of the larger tradition of Mesoamerican mythology, which includes the belief in multiple cycles of creation and destruction, or “suns,” and the gods who played a role in these events. The mythology of the ancient peoples of Mesoamerica, including the Aztecs, Maya, and others, is rich and complex, and includes a variety of stories, deities, and beliefs about the creation and order of the world.
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Mexica Flag
The original flag of the Mexica, also known as the Aztec, is believed to have depicted a serpent on top of a cactus. This flag was used by the Mexica as they migrated from their legendary homeland of Aztlan to the Valley of Mexico, where they founded the city of Tenochtitlan. According to Aztec mythology, the Mexica were guided by their patron deity, Huitzilopochtli, to the location where they were meant to build their capital city. When they arrived, they saw an eagle perched on a cactus, holding a serpent in its beak, which was interpreted as a sign from the gods. The eagle on the cactus became the symbol of the Mexica, and it was incorporated into their flag and used as a symbol of their identity. Tenochtitlan was founded in 1325 and quickly became a major power in the region, eventually becoming the capital of the Aztec Empire.
$18.49 – $34.38
Mexica Flag
The original flag of the Mexica, also known as the Aztec, is believed to have depicted a serpent on top of a cactus. This flag was used by the Mexica as they migrated from their legendary homeland of Aztlan to the Valley of Mexico, where they founded the city of Tenochtitlan. According to Aztec mythology, the Mexica were guided by their patron deity, Huitzilopochtli, to the location where they were meant to build their capital city. When they arrived, they saw an eagle perched on a cactus, holding a serpent in its beak, which was interpreted as a sign from the gods. The eagle on the cactus became the symbol of the Mexica, and it was incorporated into their flag and used as a symbol of their identity. Tenochtitlan was founded in 1325 and quickly became a major power in the region, eventually becoming the capital of the Aztec Empire.
$18.49 – $34.38
Quetzalcoatl
Quetzalcoatl was a major deity in the pantheon of the ancient Mesoamerican civilizations of the Maya and the Aztec. He was revered as a deity of fertility, agriculture, and wisdom, and was often depicted as a plumed serpent or a human with the head of a feathered serpent. In Aztec mythology, Quetzalcoatl was considered to be the creator of the world and the god of civilization, and he was often associated with the wind, the sky, and the morning star. He was also seen as a patron of the arts and was often depicted with a flute or a stringed instrument. In Maya mythology, Quetzalcoatl was known as Kukulcan and was associated with the planet Venus, as well as with wisdom and sacrifice. He was revered as a powerful and benevolent deity by both the Maya and the Aztec, and his cult was widely practiced throughout Mesoamerica.
Quetzalcoatl
Quetzalcoatl was a major deity in the pantheon of the ancient Mesoamerican civilizations of the Maya and the Aztec. He was revered as a deity of fertility, agriculture, and wisdom, and was often depicted as a plumed serpent or a human with the head of a feathered serpent. In Aztec mythology, Quetzalcoatl was considered to be the creator of the world and the god of civilization, and he was often associated with the wind, the sky, and the morning star. He was also seen as a patron of the arts and was often depicted with a flute or a stringed instrument. In Maya mythology, Quetzalcoatl was known as Kukulcan and was associated with the planet Venus, as well as with wisdom and sacrifice. He was revered as a powerful and benevolent deity by both the Maya and the Aztec, and his cult was widely practiced throughout Mesoamerica.
Xochipilli
Xochipilli was an Aztec deity associated with fertility, agriculture, music, and dance. He was also known as the “Flower Prince” and was often depicted with flowers in his hair and wearing a headdress of feathers. According to Aztec mythology, Xochipilli was the son of the god of maize, Chicomecoatl, and was associated with the cultivation and growth of crops. He was also seen as a patron of the arts and was often depicted holding musical instruments such as flutes and drums. In Aztec society, Xochipilli was venerated as a fertility deity and was believed to be responsible for the abundance and prosperity of the community. He was also associated with sexual pleasure and was often depicted in sexual acts in Aztec art.
Xochipilli
Xochipilli was an Aztec deity associated with fertility, agriculture, music, and dance. He was also known as the “Flower Prince” and was often depicted with flowers in his hair and wearing a headdress of feathers. According to Aztec mythology, Xochipilli was the son of the god of maize, Chicomecoatl, and was associated with the cultivation and growth of crops. He was also seen as a patron of the arts and was often depicted holding musical instruments such as flutes and drums. In Aztec society, Xochipilli was venerated as a fertility deity and was believed to be responsible for the abundance and prosperity of the community. He was also associated with sexual pleasure and was often depicted in sexual acts in Aztec art.
Mictlantecuhtli
Mictlantecuhtli was the Aztec deity of the underworld and death. He was considered to be a powerful and fearsome deity, and was often depicted with a skull-like face and a body covered in bones. According to Aztec mythology, Mictlantecuhtli ruled over the underworld, where the souls of the dead went after they left the earthly realm. He was also associated with the concept of transformation and rebirth, as the Aztecs believed that the souls of the dead were reborn into new bodies after passing through the underworld. Mictlantecuhtli was often depicted with his sister and consort, Mictecacihuatl, who was the goddess of the underworld and death. Together, they were seen as the rulers of the land of the dead and were often depicted together in Aztec art and religious ceremonies.
Mictlantecuhtli
Mictlantecuhtli was the Aztec deity of the underworld and death. He was considered to be a powerful and fearsome deity, and was often depicted with a skull-like face and a body covered in bones. According to Aztec mythology, Mictlantecuhtli ruled over the underworld, where the souls of the dead went after they left the earthly realm. He was also associated with the concept of transformation and rebirth, as the Aztecs believed that the souls of the dead were reborn into new bodies after passing through the underworld. Mictlantecuhtli was often depicted with his sister and consort, Mictecacihuatl, who was the goddess of the underworld and death. Together, they were seen as the rulers of the land of the dead and were often depicted together in Aztec art and religious ceremonies.
The birth of maize Corn
In Aztec mythology, the birth of maize, or corn, was a central creation myth that explained the origin of one of the most important crops in ancient Mesoamerica. According to the myth, maize was created by the Corn God, also known as Chicomecoatl or Seven Serpent. The Corn God was said to have emerged from the earth fully formed, carrying a corn plant in one hand and a sceptre in the other. He was seen as a symbol of abundance and fertility, and was believed to be the patron deity of agriculture. The Aztecs, also known as the Mexica, had a deep cultural and spiritual connection to maize, and it played a central role in their diet, economy, and religion. They held annual ceremonies to honor the Corn God and to celebrate the harvest of maize, which was a vital source of sustenance for the Aztec people.
The birth of maize Corn
In Aztec mythology, the birth of maize, or corn, was a central creation myth that explained the origin of one of the most important crops in ancient Mesoamerica. According to the myth, maize was created by the Corn God, also known as Chicomecoatl or Seven Serpent. The Corn God was said to have emerged from the earth fully formed, carrying a corn plant in one hand and a sceptre in the other. He was seen as a symbol of abundance and fertility, and was believed to be the patron deity of agriculture. The Aztecs, also known as the Mexica, had a deep cultural and spiritual connection to maize, and it played a central role in their diet, economy, and religion. They held annual ceremonies to honor the Corn God and to celebrate the harvest of maize, which was a vital source of sustenance for the Aztec people.
Huitzilopochtli
Huitzilopochtli was the Aztec deity of war, the sun, and human sacrifice. He was one of the most important deities in the Aztec pantheon and was central to many of the religious practices and rituals of the Aztec people. According to Aztec mythology, Huitzilopochtli was the god who led the Aztecs to their new homeland and was responsible for guiding the sun across the sky each day. He was also associated with the cycle of life and death, as the sun was believed to die each night and be reborn each morning. Huitzilopochtli was typically depicted as a fearsome warrior, with a blue face and a hummingbird-like headdress. He was also associated with the color blue and was often depicted holding a weapon such as a spear or a bow and arrow.
Huitzilopochtli
Huitzilopochtli was the Aztec deity of war, the sun, and human sacrifice. He was one of the most important deities in the Aztec pantheon and was central to many of the religious practices and rituals of the Aztec people. According to Aztec mythology, Huitzilopochtli was the god who led the Aztecs to their new homeland and was responsible for guiding the sun across the sky each day. He was also associated with the cycle of life and death, as the sun was believed to die each night and be reborn each morning. Huitzilopochtli was typically depicted as a fearsome warrior, with a blue face and a hummingbird-like headdress. He was also associated with the color blue and was often depicted holding a weapon such as a spear or a bow and arrow.
Maya Haab Calander
The Haab calendar was a system used by the Maya civilization to track time. It was based on a solar year of 365 days, divided into 18 months of 20 days each, with a final period of 5 days called the “Wayeb” that was considered to be a dangerous and unlucky time. Each month was given a name, and the days within each month were numbered from 0 to 19. The Haab calendar was used alongside the Tzolkin calendar, which was a 260-day sacred calendar that was based on the cycles of the planet Venus. The Maya believed that the combination of the two calendars, the Haab and the Tzolkin, created a larger cycle of time that was closely tied to the movements of celestial bodies and the cycles of nature.
Maya Haab Calander
The Haab calendar was a system used by the Maya civilization to track time. It was based on a solar year of 365 days, divided into 18 months of 20 days each, with a final period of 5 days called the “Wayeb” that was considered to be a dangerous and unlucky time. Each month was given a name, and the days within each month were numbered from 0 to 19. The Haab calendar was used alongside the Tzolkin calendar, which was a 260-day sacred calendar that was based on the cycles of the planet Venus. The Maya believed that the combination of the two calendars, the Haab and the Tzolkin, created a larger cycle of time that was closely tied to the movements of celestial bodies and the cycles of nature.
Pakal the great
Pacal was a Mayan ruler who ruled the city-state of Palenque in the Classic period of Maya civilization. He was the son of K’inich Janaab’ Pakal, who was also a ruler of Palenque, and he inherited the throne at a young age. Pacal is known for his extensive building projects at Palenque, including the Temple of the Inscriptions, which contains his famous tomb. He is also remembered for his military conquests, which expanded Palenque’s territory and helped to establish it as a major power in the region. Pacal ruled for over 60 years and was considered a successful and powerful ruler by the Maya.
Pakal the great
Pacal was a Mayan ruler who ruled the city-state of Palenque in the Classic period of Maya civilization. He was the son of K’inich Janaab’ Pakal, who was also a ruler of Palenque, and he inherited the throne at a young age. Pacal is known for his extensive building projects at Palenque, including the Temple of the Inscriptions, which contains his famous tomb. He is also remembered for his military conquests, which expanded Palenque’s territory and helped to establish it as a major power in the region. Pacal ruled for over 60 years and was considered a successful and powerful ruler by the Maya.