Aztec and Inca mythology

Aztec and Inca mythology are fascinating areas of study that reveal the rich world of deities, beliefs, and rituals of ancient Central American civilizations. In this article, we will examine key figures in these mythologies, such as Huitzilopochtli, the god of war and protector of the Aztec people, and Inti, the sun god worshiped by the Incas. We will also explore the symbolism and significance of individual gods, their role in daily life, and their influence on the culture and traditions of these peoples. We will discover how these mythical narratives shaped Aztec and Inca spirituality and societies.

Gods

Acoluahuacatl - god of the dead.

Camaxtli - god of night and hunting, worshiped mainly in Tlaxcala.

Centzon Huitznahua - the four hundred from the south, the southern stars, the brothers of Huitzilopochtli.

Centzon Mimixcoa - meaning "Four Hundred of the North." Four hundred cloud serpents. Stars of the North.

Centzon Totochtin—meaning "Four Hundred Rabbits," sons of Mayauel. This was a group of minor Aztec gods associated with the intoxicating drink known as pulque or octli, made from the maguey plant and commonly used in public rituals and celebrations. Among the Centzon Totochtin is Tepoxtecalt, the god of drunkenness. The rabbit is known for its fertility and supposed mischief, which likely explains its association with pulque. The drink was also associated with fertility—sometimes depicted as gushing from the breasts of the mother goddess.

Cinteotl, Centeotl - "Lord of the Corncob." In Aztec mythology, the god of corn. The male counterpart of the goddess Chicomecoatl. Centeotl was associated specifically with corn, while Chicomecoatl represented food in general, including corn. Both deities were closely associated with the water goddess Chalchiuhtlicue, wife of the rain and fertility god Tlaloc. They were also associated with Xilonen, the goddess of young grain shoots.

Eekatl - god of the wind.

Ek Chuak - "The Dark Lord".

Huehneteotl, Huehueteotl - "Old God." Aztec god of fire and hearth, son of the goddess Mayahual. He was probably originally an Olmec deity (1500-400 BC). Huehueteotl was worshiped by the Aztecs as the oldest god and first companion of mankind. He seems to have stood above all local deities. As early as 500 BC, he was depicted as a hunched old man, with few teeth or completely toothless, with a brazier on his head. During festivals in his honor, prisoners were sacrificed to him, whom the priests first tied with ropes. After draping them over their backs, they danced around the fire, then threw them into the flames. Without waiting for them to die, they pulled them out with hooks and tore out the hearts of the burned but living ones.

Huitzilopochtli - "Hummingbird of the South." Blue Tezcatlipoka. In Aztec religion, he was the god of war, protector of the nation and state. Son of Coatlicue, one of the four mother goddesses. She is said to have conceived Huitzilopochtli on Coatepec, where she was impregnated by a magical ball of fluff that descended from heaven. Her earlier offspring, the goddess Coyolxauhqui and her four hundred brothers, the Centzon Huitznahaua, were so enraged by their mother's pregnancy that they killed her by cutting off her head and hands. However, at the moment of her death, she gave birth to the fully formed Huitzilopochtli, who immediately killed his sister, then threw her dismembered body at Coatepec before setting out to rout his numerous brethren. Human sacrifices were offered to him during various festivals. He was exclusively an Aztec god and was likely initially a legendary hero, later deified. He is the lord of the Fifth Sun, the current era, which is expected to end in 2012 AD. He establishes prohibitions.

Jakatekutli - - god of trade and merchants.

Kamasztli - god of hunting.

Ketsalcoatl, Quetzalcoatl - "feathered serpent," "winged serpent," "precious serpent," "precious twin," "feathered serpent." In the Maya, Ku-kul-kan. God of the Sun, Wind, and Knowledge, symbol of goodness. Co-creator of the world, civilizer of the Totléki, title of the two Aztec high priests. He created the first humans and offered them corn. In a more recent legend, the great god (with white skin and light eyes) incarnated as a wise ruler: he taught his people crafts, agriculture, and temple building. At the end of his reign, he traveled east to the Maya country to help the people there. In another version, he traveled east, boarded a boat, sailed, and then ascended into the sky. He promised to return. Mindful of the words of their god-benefactor, the Aztecs greeted Hernan Cortes as Quetzalcoatl, returned from the heavens. Native traditions hold that he was the son of the goddess Chimalma or a god seated on the Morning Star. Other versions claim that somewhere in the thirteenth heaven lived the god Tonacatecutli and his wife Tonacacihuatl. They had four sons: Tlatlauhqui Tezcatlipoca, Yayauhqui Tezcatlipoca, Huitzilopochtli, and Quetzalcoatl. Quetzalcoatl was at war with Tezcatlipoca ("Smoking Mirror"). It was a battle between good and evil. Quetzalcoatl—both creator and creation—was later worshiped most prominently in Tula, where he supposedly reigned. He introduced the cult of the cross (symbols of life, energy, and food production), and cherished peace, purity of morals, and bloodless sacrifices. He had white skin and wore a beard. He left, driven out by Tezcatlipoca, but promised to return.