Aztec Mythology The Four Epochs The Creation of

Aztec Mythology The Four Epochs The Creation of the Pantheon

The Aztec Calendar or Sun Stone

El “Ollin” The Central Deity The Claws of the Sun God The 4 Epochs

The Central Deity Does it represent Tonatiuh, Huitzilopochtli or the Fifth World?

The Claws of the Sun God Holding a Human Heart. Explains Human Sacrifice

The Four Epochs First Epoch: Jaguar (Ocelotonatiuh) Second Epoch: Wind (Ehecatonatiuh) Third Epoch: Fire (Quiauhtonatiuh) Fourth Epoch: Water (Atonatiuh)

First Epoch: Jaguar (Ocelotonatiuh) The 1 st World to be created. Most of the inhabitants (Humans) were eaten by ocelots. The survivors were turned into fish. It lasted 676 years. Tezcatlipoca, the god of night, rules this epoch.

Second Epoch: Wind (Ehecatonatiuh) The 2 nd World to be created. Most of the inhabitants (Humans) were destroyed by strong winds. The survivors were turned into birds. It lasted 364 years. Quetzalcoatl, the god of wind, rules this epoch.

Third Epoch: Fire (Quiauhtonatiuh) The 3 rd World to be created. Most of the inhabitants (Humans) were destroyed by fiery rain. The survivors were turned into monkeys. Tlaloc, the god of rain, rules this epoch.

Fourth Epoch: Water (Atonatiuh) The 4 th World to be created. Most of the inhabitants (Humans) were destroyed by a major flood. There were only two survivors: one man & one woman. Chalchiuhtlicue, the goddess of rain, rules this world.

Fifth Epoch: Balance (Nahui-Ollin) The 5 th World to be created. We are currently living in this epoch. Destruction of this world is believed to be by earthquake. Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca jointly rule this epoch.

Is there any imagery present in the Aztec Myth?

Aztec Cosmogonic Myth: A story which refers to the creation of the earth, sun, stars or moon.

Cast of Characters Coatlicue Coyolxauqui Huitzilopochtli 400 Brothers the Earth Mother the Goddess of the Moon the God of War the Stars

COATLICUE: Decapitated Necklace of hands and hearts Skirt of Snakes Feet with Talons

COYOLXAUQUI: Dismembered Belt with a Skull Depiction is round Feet are normal

HUITZILOPOCHTLI: Black Faced Armed Facing Left

The Other Gods Quetzalcoatl God of Wind Tlaloc God of Water Tezcatlipoca Smoking Mirror Mictlantecuhtli God of Death

Quetzalcoatl The God of Wind and Agriculture. He is usually depicted with a shell ornament.

Tlaloc The God of Rain and Water. Husband to Chalchiuhtlicue, ruler of the fourth epoch. Usually depicted with a hooked nose and goggle eyes.

Tezcatlipoca The God of Night. Enemy of Quetzalcoatl. Usually depicted with jaguar skins and a round object called a “smoking mirror”

Mictlantecuhtli The God of Death. Ruler of the Underworld. Always depicted either as a skeleton or wearing a mask of one.

Aztec Mythology Sun Stone

Bibliography and Credits Bierhorst, John. La Leyenda de los Soles. Tucson: University of Arizona Press. 1998. Taube, Karl. Aztec and Maya Myths. Austin: UT-Press. 1993. Graphics from: http: //archaeology. asu. edu/tm/pages 2/mtm 62 B. htm http: //rubens. anu. edu. au/student. projects 97 /aztec/ACal. Stone. html/Acal 4. htm @Brett J. Millan 2000