Aztec Mythology

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Aztec Mythology

• The Four Epochs
• The Creation of the Pantheon

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The Aztec Calendar or Sun Stone
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(No Transcript)
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El Ollin

• The Central Deity
• The Claws of the Sun God
• The 4 Epochs

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The Central Deity

• Does it represent Tonatiuh, Huitzilopochtli or
  the Fifth World?

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The Claws of the Sun God

• Holding a Human Heart-Explains Human Sacrifice

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The Four Epochs

• First Epoch Jaguar (Ocelotonatiuh)

Second Epoch Wind (Ehecatonatiuh)
Third Epoch Fire (Quiauhtonatiuh)
Fourth Epoch Water (Atonatiuh)
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First Epoch Jaguar (Ocelotonatiuh)
The 1st 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.
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Second Epoch Wind (Ehecatonatiuh)
The 2nd 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.
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Third Epoch Fire (Quiauhtonatiuh)
The 3rd 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.
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Fourth Epoch Water (Atonatiuh)
The 4th 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.
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Fifth Epoch Balance (Nahui-Ollin)
The 5th 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.
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Is there any imagery present in the Aztec Myth?
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Aztec Cosmogonic Myth
Cosmogonic Myth
A story which refers to the creation of the
earth, sun, stars or moon.
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Cast of Characters
Coatlicue the Earth Mother Coyolxauqui the
Goddess of the Moon Huitzilopochtli the God of
War 400 Brothers the Stars
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COATLICUE
Decapitated Necklace of hands and hearts Skirt of
Snakes Feet with Talons
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COYOLXAUQUI
Dismembered Belt with a Skull Depiction is
round Feet are normal
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HUITZILOPOCHTLI
Black Faced Armed Facing Left
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The Other Gods
Quetzalcoatl God of Wind Tlaloc God of
Water Tezcatlipoca Smoking Mirror Mictlantecuhtli
God of Death
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Quetzalcoatl

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

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Tlaloc

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

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Tezcatlipoca

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

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Mictlantecuhtli

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

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Aztec MythologySun Stone
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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/pages2/mtm62B.
htm http//rubens.anu.edu.au/student.projects97
/aztec/ACalStone.html/Acal4.htm
_at_Brett J. Millan 2000