The 10 most important Aztec gods

Aztec mythology is probably one of the most relevant and rich. It has given rise to books, films, legends and stories that are still present today and have garnered a legacy of great interest in Latin America, especially Central, in Mexico. The fundamental belief of the Aztecs revolved around the Sun, whose god was Huitzilopochtli.

As data to take into account, the Aztec gods are considered "original" characters, their own that did not have adaptations as the Roman Empire did with Greek culture and mythology, which were traced. Another element to take into account is the degree of expansion that this pre-Hispanic empire supposed: the called Triple Alliance of the indigenous peoples of the States of Tlacopan, Texcoco and Tenochtitlan. For this reason, the religion of this culture reached many parts of Central America.

• Related article: "This is what the 4 main Mesoamerican cultures were like"

The most relevant Aztec gods

Having a strong predisposition to dogma and worship, the Aztecs also developed a complex system of authority related to physical persons linked to religion. This model of governance was based on positions elected by the King on duty (the Toltec is the best known), with government delegates and councilors of the nobility. For this reason, the Aztec pantheon is a reflection of the hierarchical system of social organization typical of this pre-Columbian people.

In this way, on the one hand there was the elite that ruled over the Aztec civilization, and above these people were the divinities who were worshiped transversally throughout the society belonging to this ethnicity. Are you interested in knowing basics about these divine entities? Then we will see the 10 most interesting and relevant Aztec gods of their mythology.

1. Yacatecuhtli

Interestingly, the Aztecs had the so-called old gods. Yacatecuhtli was one of them. She represented protection for merchants and travelers, and for that reason the citizens made offerings to him by giving him slaves in exchange for his blessing. What stands out about this deity is the disproportion of her nose, which served as a guide / indication of the direction to follow.

2. Quetzalcoatl

Quetzalcóatl is by far one of the most famous Aztec gods. At the time of Aztec cultural hegemony, he was a bit of the god of everything: life, fertility, wisdom, night and day, the winds. She is surely one of the most relevant deities of the Aztecs for all that she represented. Regarding the physical representation of him, he is usually described as a kind of serpent with feathers and at the same time with human form.

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3. Coatlicue

Like her predecessor, Coatlicue was shaped like a snake (this yes in an integral way) with four hands and three heads. She represents life and death at the same time, as a duality of complementary elements, which is why she is considered the goddess of all gods, as well as the spiritual guide of rebirth.

4. Metztli

We continue on the path of the gods with some reptilian characteristic. The name itself means: "the goddess of the serpent in the face." She is the goddess of the moon, whose powers shared with the serpent that guarded her, dominated the water. He caused riot and storms, but blessed and watered the Aztec regions.

5. Mictlantecuhtli

Totally extravagant and clownish in appearance, it contrasts with what the Aztec deity of death represented. Husband of the goddess of death, Mictlantecuhtli he was the lord and master of the souls who were going to their particular "hell", a place of shadows and darkness that the Aztecs wanted to avoid at all costs.

This divinity was represented as an anthropomorphic being with a toothy skull for a head, and with very large eyes.

6. Xipe Totec

Painted red and yellow, with the face of few friends, this deity is the masculinity and virility of the Aztecs. She also symbolized youth and dawn. He was also the god of abundance, since Xipe was in charge of irrigating the corn fields of the Aztec lands with water.

7. Cihuacoatl

Among the most important Aztec goddesses we find Cihuacoatl, the first deity to give birth, and therefore she is considered the goddess of birth. The legend also says that she is known as "La Llorona", without really knowing its origin. It is speculated with the crying at the time that she had the first delivery, but it has not been confirmed to this day.

8. Ixtlilton

Ixtlilton was a god associated with the concept of leisure, he represented play and fun. He was the patron of the Aztec festivities. On the other hand, he was also the god of healing, as he would take any sick or injured person to his temple to heal it, as well as to heal newborn children with any deficiency.

9. Ahuiateteo

In this case there is a peculiarity: Ahuiateteo constitutes a group of Aztec gods that represent vice, pleasure and earthly excesses. Along with another group of the Tzitzimime, they formed a conglomeration of deities that represented the opposite of each other. Thus, the latter were the representatives of death and drought.

10. Xiuhtecuhtli

The figure of Xiuhtecuhtli corresponds to the aforementioned category of ancient Aztec gods. His figure in the form of a warrior and passionate colors how (red and yellow) gave him that touch of virility that warriors and soldiers sought. This deity represented fire and heat, and therefore was highly respected by his parishioners. He was also the patron of warriors, kings, and time.

Bibliographic references:

• Boone, E.H. (2013). Cycles of Time and Meaning in the Mexican Books of Fate. Austin: University of Texas Press.
• Case, A. (1936). The religion of the Aztecs, Enciclopedia Ilustrada Mexicana, México D.F., Imprenta Mundial.
• Douglas, D. (2009). The Altlas of Lost Cults and mystery religions. London: Godsfield Press.
• Fernández, A. (1998). Pre-Hispanic Gods of Mexico. México D.F.: Panorama Editorial.
• Jordan, M. (2004). Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses. Washington D.C.: Library of Congress.