Download Aztec Cosmogonic Presentation

Aztec Mythology
The Four Epochs
The Creation of the Pantheon
The Aztec Calendar or Sun Stone
El “Ollin”
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The Central Deity
The Claws of the
Sun God
The 4 Epochs
The Central Deity
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Does it represent Tonatiuh,
Huitzilopochtli or the Fifth World?
The Claws of the Sun
God
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Holding a Human HeartExplains 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Is there any imagery
present in the Aztec
Myth?
Aztec Cosmogonic
Myth
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/pages2/mtm62B.htm
http://rubens.anu.edu.au/student.projects97
/aztec/ACalStone.html/Acal4.htm
@Brett J. Millan 2000