THE AZTEC GODS

THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF AZTEC GODS

Despite the fact that your average Joe doesn’t know the names of more

than a handful of Aztec gods (and even the ones he knows he has a

very hard time spelling), the truth is that the pantheon of the Aztec

civilization was enormous, with hundreds of gods and goddesses.

AZTEC GODS WERE TWO-FACED LITERALLY AND

METAPHORICALLY

Most Aztec gods had two sides (good and bad) to their

personalities as well as two faces.

THE AZTEC PANTHEON WAS MALE DOMINATED

Over two-thirds of the Aztec gods were male and less than one-third

were female. Even the Aztec world was a man’s world.

AZTEC GODS REQUIRED A LOT OF BLOOD

One sure thing concerning Aztec gods and the Aztec religion is

that these required a lot of human sacrifices. Occurring in possibly

greater numbers than in any other religion in history, these sacrifices

were performed by Mexica priests at the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon.

SLAVES HATED XIPE TOTEC AND FOR A GOOD REASON TOO

Xipe Totec was the god of suffering, diseases, and goldsmiths. The

problem with this god was that his worship required the flaying of a

slave and the wearing of his skin.

TLALOC

Tlaloc was an Aztec water god who was widely worshiped as a giver

of life and sustenance but was also feared for his ability to send hail,

thunder, and lightning (especially when someone pissed him off).

CHALCHIUHTLICUE LOVED RAIN . . . LITERALLY

Chalchiuhtlicue was the Aztec goddess of rivers, lakes, streams, and

other freshwater. She was in love with rain and no we aren’t using the

term metaphorically since she was the wife of the rain god Tlaloc.

CAMAXTLI WAS THE AZTEC VERSION OF THE

GREEK GOD OF WAR, ARES

He might not be as famous as his European “brother” but trust us when

we say Camaxtli was as badass as the famous Greek god. He was the

Aztec god of war, hunting, and fate, and creator of fire. He was also

one of the four gods who created the world.

TEZCATLIPOCA INSPIRED INDIANA JONES AND

THE TEMPLE OF DOOM

The main rite of Tezcatlipoca’s cult took place during Toxcatl, the fifth

ritual month. Every year at that time, the priest selected a young,

handsome prisoner of war. For one year he lived in princely luxury,

impersonating the god. Four beautiful girls dressed as goddesses were

chosen as his companions. On the appointed feast day, he climbed the

steps of a small temple while breaking flutes he had played. At the top he

was sacrificed by the removal of his heart. So, Mola Ram wasn’t

Steven Spielberg’s pure creation after all.