Mictlantecuhtli is an Aztec god of death and the king of Mictlan, the lowest and northernmost section of the underworld. He is one of the principal gods of the Aztecs and is the most prominent of several gods and goddesses of death and the underworld. Mictlantecuhtli is usually portrayed with a skull face and was closely associated with owls, spiders, bats, and the direction south.
According to Aztec mythology, Mictlantecuhtli ruled the underworld with his wife Mictecacíhuatl. The souls of those whose manner of death failed to call them to various paradises made a four-year journey, fraught with trials, through the nine hells of Mictlan to reach their final resting place. Mictlantecuhtli was worshipped and feared across Mesoamerica, and his name literally means “Lord of Mictlan”.
In addition to his role as a god of death, Mictlantecuhtli was also associated with the binary of life and death. He played a similar role to Hades in Greek mythology, trying to maintain order in his domain and sometimes clashing with other gods. The Aztecs believed that Mictlantecuhtli had the power to both give and take life, and he was often invoked in rituals related to death and the afterlife.
Origins and Mythology
Aztec Creation Myths
Mictlantecuhtli is the Aztec god of death and ruler of the underworld, Mictlan. According to Aztec creation myths, he and his wife Mictecacihuatl were created by the four Tezcatlipocas, a group of brothers consisting of Quetzalcoatl, Xipe Totec, Tezcatlipoca, and Huitzilopochtli. The four brothers were believed to have created everything and were mainly related to the sun, humans, maize, and war.
Role in the Pantheon
Mictlantecuhtli played a significant role in the Aztec pantheon. He was worshipped and feared across Mesoamerica and was closely associated with owls, spiders, bats, and the direction south. The souls of those whose manner of death failed to call them to various paradises made a four-year journey, fraught with trials, through the nine hells of Mictlan. In the last, where Mictlantecuhtli lived, they disappeared or found rest.
In Aztec mythology, after Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca created the world, they put their creation in order and placed Mictlantecuhtli and his wife, Mictecacihuatl, in the underworld. Mictlantecuhtli was known for his role in the creation of the fifth sun, which was believed to be the current era of the world. He was also associated with fertility and agriculture, as he was believed to be the one who fertilized the earth with his bones.
Overall, Mictlantecuhtli played a crucial role in the Aztec worldview. His position as the god of death and ruler of the underworld made him an important figure in Aztec religion and mythology.
Iconography and Symbolism
Depictions in Art
Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec god of the underworld, is often depicted as a partially skeletal figure with skinless arms, legs, and jaw. According to the Codex Telleriano-Remensis, he wears a peaked turquoise headdress and is depicted with a blue nose because he is a lord. Most of his attributes are related to death and the nocturnal, and he is often shown holding a scepter or a staff. His skeletal appearance represents the idea of death and the cycle of life.
Sacred Animals and Objects
Mictlantecuhtli is closely associated with owls, spiders, bats, and the direction south. The Aztecs believed that dogs accompanied souls to the underworld, so dogs are also associated with Mictlantecuhtli. In Aztec art, he is often depicted with these animals and objects, emphasizing his connection to the underworld and death. The use of these symbols in art and culture helped the Aztecs understand and connect with the god of the underworld.
Worship and Rituals
Mictlantecuhtli was a significant deity in Aztec religion, and his worship involved a variety of rituals and ceremonies. The Aztecs believed that death was an essential part of life, and they revered Mictlantecuhtli as the god of the dead and the ruler of the underworld.
Templo Mayor
One of the most important places of worship for Mictlantecuhtli was the Templo Mayor, a massive Aztec temple located in the city of Tenochtitlan. The temple was dedicated to several Aztec gods, including Mictlantecuhtli, and was the site of many ceremonies and rituals throughout the year.
Festivals and Ceremonies
The Aztecs celebrated several festivals and ceremonies in honor of Mictlantecuhtli throughout the year. One of the most important was the Day of the Dead, a three-day festival that took place in late October or early November. During the festival, the Aztecs believed that the spirits of their ancestors returned to the mortal world to visit their loved ones. The Aztecs would create elaborate altars to honor their ancestors, and would offer them food, drink, and other gifts.
Another important festival was the New Fire Ceremony, which took place every 52 years. The ceremony marked the end of a cycle in the Aztec calendar and the beginning of a new one. During the ceremony, the Aztecs would extinguish all the fires in their homes and then light a new fire using a special drill. The ceremony was meant to symbolize the renewal of life and the triumph of good over evil.
Overall, the worship of Mictlantecuhtli was an essential part of Aztec religion and culture. The Aztecs believed that death was not an end, but a new beginning, and they honored Mictlantecuhtli as the god who presided over this transition.
Cultural Significance
Influence on Modern Culture
Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec god of death, has left a significant impact on modern culture. His portrayal in literature, movies, and television shows has made him a recognizable figure in Western society. He is often depicted as a skeleton with a crown of skulls, holding a scepter and a shield. In some instances, he is shown with his wife, Mictecacíhuatl, who is also the goddess of death.
Mictlantecuhtli’s influence can also be seen in the celebration of Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a holiday celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countries. During this holiday, people honor their deceased loved ones by creating altars, offering food and drink, and participating in parades and other festivities.
Literature and Popular Media
Mictlantecuhtli has been featured in various forms of literature and popular media. In Neil Gaiman’s “American Gods,” he is portrayed as one of the old gods who is struggling to survive in a world dominated by new gods. In Rick Riordan’s “The Blood of Olympus,” he is depicted as one of the main antagonists who seeks to destroy the world.
Mictlantecuhtli has also appeared in video games such as “Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion” and “Smite,” where he is a playable character. In addition, he has been referenced in television shows such as “The X-Files” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
Overall, Mictlantecuhtli continues to be a prominent figure in popular culture, serving as a reminder of the rich mythology and history of the Aztecs.
Archaeological Discoveries
Mictlantecuhtli was an important deity in Aztec mythology, and archaeologists have made several discoveries related to this god. One of the most significant findings was the first-ever shrine dedicated to Mictlantecuhtli. The shrine was discovered in Mexico by archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History. Along with the shrine, remains of human sacrifice victims were also found.
In 1963, archaeologists found a pre-Hispanic sculpture depicting Mictlantecuhtli in Teotihuacan’s Pyramid of the Sun. The sculpture is known as the Disk of Mictlāntēcutli or the Disk of Death. It is a circular disk made of stone that depicts the god of death and ruler of Mictlān, the underworld of Aztec mythology.
The Aztecs believed that there were a number of paradises, and entry into them depended on the manner of one’s death. Those whose manner of death failed to call them to various paradises made a four-year journey, fraught with trials, through the nine hells of Mictlān. Archaeological discoveries related to Mictlantecuhtli provide valuable insight into the beliefs and practices of the Aztecs regarding death and the afterlife.
Comparative Mythology
In comparative mythology, Mictlantecuhtli is often compared to other gods of death and the underworld. In Greek mythology, Hades is the ruler of the underworld and is often depicted as a stern and unyielding figure, whereas Mictlantecuhtli is depicted as a more complex figure, with aspects of both life and death.
In Hindu mythology, Yama is the god of death and is often depicted as a fierce warrior, whereas Mictlantecuhtli is depicted as a more contemplative figure, with a focus on the cyclical nature of life and death.
In Norse mythology, Hel is the goddess of the underworld and is often depicted as a half-dead, half-alive figure, whereas Mictlantecuhtli is depicted as a fully alive figure with a strong connection to the natural world.
Overall, Mictlantecuhtli’s complex nature and connection to both life and death make him a unique figure in comparative mythology.