Aztec Art Pictures Aztec Art Aztec Art shows

Aztec Art Pictures

Aztec Art • Aztec Art shows religion, culture, gods and beliefs and daily life.

Here are some pictures of Aztec Art

The Double Headed Serpent • • • An icon of Aztec art, this striking object was probably worn on ceremonial occasions an ornament worn on the chest. It is carved in wood and covered with turquoise mosaic. The wood is hollowed at the back. The serpent is associated with several gods deities including Quetzalcoatl (Feathered Serpent), Xiuhcoatl (Fire Serpent) and Mixcoatl (Cloud Serpent) or Coatlicue (She of the Serpent Skirt), the mother of the Aztec god Huitzilopochtli. The habit of snakes to shed their skin each year probably led to them being used to convey ideas concerning renewal and transformation. Likewise the ability of many species to move freely between water, earth and the forest canopy helped underline their symbolic role as intermediaries between the different layers of the cosmos (underworld, earth and sky). Spondylus (thorny oyster) shell was used for the bright red details around the nose and mouth of both of the serpants heads. Strombus (conch) shell was used for the white teeth.

The Temple • Often a whole area of a city would be dedicated to religious activities. Some monuments would be made to specific gods. Some were built for specific celebrations. The buildings you probably associate with the Aztec religion are the great pyramids. These were four sided, stable structures that can withstand the earthquakes that are common in the area. These would have stairs up one side and a flat top.

The Aztec Pots • The Aztec pots were always made by hand some are more special than others as they are dedicated to different gods as the gods are carved into the side of it. You would probably see these on the market they would hold food drink and sometimes jewellery.

Golden Statues • The Aztecs had a lot of gold and made all most anything with it. • Many statues were of gods that were worshipped. • Crafts man often used gold to make jewellery and sometimes they even put it in to the emperors, priests and nobles headdress.