THE AZTEC GODS
Added on: 21st Oct 2015
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.
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