Mixcoatl is a deity from Mesoamerican mythology who was associated with the hunt, the Milky Way, and the stars. He was worshipped by several groups of people, including the Otomi and the Chichimecs. Mixcoatl was also known as Camaxtli or Camaxtle, and was regarded as the patron deity of Huejotzingo and Tlaxcala.
According to myth, Mixcoatl was the father of the southern constellations and the great Mesoamerican god Quetzalcoatl. He was often depicted as a serpent or a warrior, and was sometimes associated with Tezcatlipoca, the god of war and magic. Mixcoatl was also believed to have led the Chichimec people to Tlaxcala, one of the few city-states to resist Aztec conquest.
Despite being a lesser-known deity in Mesoamerican mythology, Mixcoatl played an important role in the religious beliefs of several groups of people. His association with the hunt and the stars made him a powerful and revered figure, and his influence can still be felt in modern interpretations of Mesoamerican culture and religion.
Mythology
Origin Stories
Mixcoatl was a Mesoamerican god associated with hunting, the Milky Way, and the stars. According to Aztec mythology, Mixcoatl was the son of Tonacatecutli, the creator god, and Cihuacoatl, the fertility goddess. Some accounts suggest that Mixcoatl was a deified hunter and warrior-leader of the Toltec-Chichimec peoples of central Mexico.
Mixcoatl was sometimes worshipped as the “Red” aspect of the god Tezcatlipoca, the “Smoking Mirror,” who was the god of sorcerers, rulers, and warriors. In art, Mixcoatl was often depicted as a man with a black mask over his face and distinctive red and white stripes across his body. He carried Amhimitl, the dart he used in his role as a hunter.
Cultural Significance
Mixcoatl was the central god of the Chichimecs and patron of the Tlaxcalan people. He was also the patron god of the Mexica people, who believed that Mixcoatl led the Chichimec people to Tlaxcala. Mixcoatl was associated with the hunt and was believed to have provided game animals to the people. His name means “Cloud Serpent,” and he was often depicted as a serpent or a jaguar.
Mixcoatl was also associated with the Milky Way and the stars. The Mexica people believed that Mixcoatl guided them to their eventual homeland, just as Huitzilopochtli guided the Mexica people. Mixcoatl was an important deity in Mesoamerican mythology, and his worship was widespread throughout the region.
Attributes
Mixcoatl was a Mesoamerican god of the hunt, who was often depicted with his hunting equipment, including a spear, a net or basket, and occasionally a bow and arrows. As the god of the hunt, Mixcoatl was also portrayed wearing a cloak of human skin, which was a common practice among hunters in Mesoamerican cultures. His own exposed skin was covered in red and white stripes, which may have symbolized the colors of the Milky Way.
Iconography
Mixcoatl was usually depicted wearing a headdress adorned with an eagle plume, which may have represented his association with the heavens. The eagle was a sacred bird in Mesoamerican cultures, and was often associated with deities and rulers. Mixcoatl was also sometimes depicted with a serpent, which may have symbolized his association with the earth and the underworld.
Associations
Mixcoatl was closely associated with Tezcatlipoca, the god of war and magic. In some interpretations of the mythology, Mixcoatl was an aspect of Tezcatlipoca, while in others the warrior god sometimes took Mixcoatl’s form. Mixcoatl was also associated with the Milky Way and the stars, and was sometimes depicted as a celestial hunter. In some traditions, Mixcoatl was worshipped as the patron of the Chichimec people, who were a group of nomadic hunters and warriors in central Mexico.
Worship
Mixcoatl was an important deity in Mesoamerican culture and was worshipped by many populations of Mesoamerica. The god was identified with hunting, the Milky Way, the stars, and the heavens in general. He was also associated with warfare and was considered a patron of the Chichimec people.
Temples and Rituals
Mixcoatl was worshipped in temples, which were often located on hilltops. The temples were usually small and simple, consisting of a single room with a small altar. The altars were used for offerings, which included food, flowers, and other items.
The rituals associated with Mixcoatl were often focused on hunting and warfare. They included dances, songs, and the use of sacred objects such as feathers and animal skins. Mixcoatl was also sometimes invoked for protection during times of war.
Festivals
Festivals dedicated to Mixcoatl were held throughout Mesoamerica. The most important of these was the Mixcoatl festival, which was held in honor of the god’s role as a patron of the Chichimec people. The festival was held in the month of Toxcatl, which was the fifth month of the Aztec calendar.
During the festival, people would fast and abstain from sexual activity for several days. On the final day of the festival, a human sacrifice would be made to Mixcoatl. The sacrifice was usually a captive from a neighboring tribe, and it was believed that the offering would ensure a good harvest and protection from enemies.
Overall, Mixcoatl was an important deity in Mesoamerican culture, and his worship was an important part of the lives of many people in the region.
Influence
Mixcoatl was a significant deity in the Aztec pantheon, and his influence has extended beyond the ancient civilization to modern times. Here are some examples of his influence:
Modern Depictions
Mixcoatl has been depicted in various forms of modern media. In the popular video game series, “Age of Empires,” Mixcoatl is a hero unit for the Aztec civilization, and in the game “Civilization VI,” he is a great person who can be recruited to help players.
Literary References
Mixcoatl has also been referenced in modern literature. In the novel “The Hummingbird’s Daughter” by Luis Alberto Urrea, Mixcoatl is portrayed as a key figure in the story of Teresita Urrea, a Mexican folk saint. The novel explores the theme of cultural identity and the blending of indigenous and Catholic beliefs in Mexico during the late 19th century.
In conclusion, Mixcoatl’s influence has endured beyond the Aztec civilization, making him a significant figure in modern media and literature.