Major Aztec Deities to Know for History of Aztec Mexico and New Spain

The major deities of the Aztec pantheon played a vital role in shaping the culture and identity of Aztec society. Each god and goddess represented essential aspects of life, nature, and the cosmos, influencing rituals, agriculture, and daily life in ancient Mexico.

1. Huitzilopochtli

   • God of war, sun, and human sacrifice; central to Aztec identity and culture.
   • Patron deity of the Mexica people, believed to guide them to their promised land.
   • Associated with the hummingbird and often depicted with a blue or green color palette.

2. Quetzalcoatl

   • Feathered serpent god representing wind, air, and learning; a symbol of creation and fertility.
   • Considered a cultural hero who brought knowledge, agriculture, and civilization to humanity.
   • Often associated with the planet Venus and linked to the themes of duality and balance.

3. Tezcatlipoca

   • God of the night sky, sorcery, and destiny; often depicted as a rival to Quetzalcoatl.
   • Represents the forces of chaos and change, embodying the struggle between order and disorder.
   • Associated with obsidian, which was used for weapons and mirrors, symbolizing reflection and divination.

4. Tlaloc

   • God of rain, fertility, and water; essential for agriculture and sustenance in Aztec society.
   • Depicted with goggle-like eyes and fangs, often associated with storms and thunder.
   • Worshipped through rituals that included offerings and sacrifices to ensure bountiful harvests.

5. Tonatiuh

   • Sun god, representing the sun's daily journey across the sky; vital for life and agriculture.
   • Seen as a warrior who demands human sacrifices to sustain his strength and ensure the sun rises.
   • Central figure in the Aztec calendar, symbolizing time and the cyclical nature of existence.

6. Xipe Totec

   • God of agriculture, renewal, and the seasons; associated with the cycle of life and death.
   • Known as the "Flayed One," representing rebirth and the shedding of old skin for new growth.
   • Celebrated during the festival of Xipe Totec, which involved rituals of renewal and sacrifice.

7. Coatlicue

   • Earth goddess, mother of gods, and symbol of fertility and life; often depicted with a skirt of snakes.
   • Represents the duality of life and death, embodying both nurturing and destructive aspects of nature.
   • Associated with the creation myth of the Aztecs, where she gave birth to Huitzilopochtli.

8. Mictlantecuhtli

   • God of the underworld and death; ruler of Mictlan, the Aztec afterlife.
   • Depicted with a skeletal face and often associated with owls and other symbols of death.
   • Represents the inevitability of death and the importance of honoring the deceased through rituals.

9. Xochiquetzal

   • Goddess of love, beauty, and fertility; associated with flowers, arts, and crafts.
   • Represents the feminine aspects of life, including motherhood and sensuality.
   • Celebrated in festivals that honored beauty and the arts, reflecting the importance of aesthetics in Aztec culture.

10. Chalchiuhtlicue

    • Goddess of rivers, lakes, and streams; associated with water and fertility.
    • Often depicted wearing a jade skirt, symbolizing her connection to precious stones and water.
    • Plays a crucial role in agricultural fertility and is invoked for rain and water-related rituals.