For Immediate Release Contact: Nancy O'Shea (312) 665-7100 (For Media Use Only) Aztec Mythology & Legends Origins of an Empire According to legend, the place of origin for the Aztecs was an island called Aztlan or Place of the Seven Caves (Chicomostoc). The exact location of Atzlan is controversial, but it is presumed to be located somewhere north of the Valley of Mexico. Stories tell us that though the civilization thrived here, the Aztecs left and went in search of a promised land. The god Huitzilopochtli (i.e. Wheet-zee-low-POCH-tlee), or “Hummingbird on the Left,” advised the Aztecs to establish their city when they found an eagle perched on a cactus devouring a serpent. This image of the eagle and the serpent is depicted on the modern Mexican flag. Led by their solar warrior god Huitzilopochtli, the people traveled south through central Mexico for hundreds of years, eventually founding the capital city of Tenochtitlan. Tenochtitlan was built on Lake Texcoco starting in AD 1325. At its height, Tenochtitlan reached more than 200,000 inhabitants. The Aztecs were conquered by the Spanish and their Indigenous allies less than 200 years later. Religion and The Templo Mayor Aztec religion was a complex and intricate set of gods, legends, and beliefs. The Aztecs recognized more than 200 gods and goddesses, each with its own characteristics or symbols. During Aztec rule, gods were associated with specific ethnic and social groups. Temples were built to honor specific gods and goddesses, and upon reaching the capital city of Tenochtitlan, the Aztecs constructed the Templo Mayor, or Great Temple which was symbolic of the mountain, Coatepec, the birthplace of the Aztecs’ patron Huitzilopochtli. According to Aztec belief, the Earth goddess Coatlicue (Co-at-lee-COO-eh) gave birth to a fully mature and armed Huitzilopochtli atop Coatepec. Upon birth, Huitzilopochtli fought with and defeated his half sister, Coyolxauhqui (Co-yol-SHAU- kee), who had plotted with her brothers and sisters to kill Coatlicue for becoming pregnant with Huitzilopochtli. Coyolxauhqui’s body fell from the mountain, breaking into pieces at the base. Her head flew into the sky and became the moon. The Templo Mayor served as a monument to this myth. The temple contained two large staircases that lead to twin shrines, one dedicated to Huitzilopochtli and the other to Tlaloc (TLA- loc), the god of rain and fertility. At the Templo Mayor, captive warriors were sacrificed so that their blood would nourish Huitzilopochtli, the sun, and enable it to prevail in its daily struggle to banish the forces of darkness and night. During sacrifices, prisoners and captives were thrown from the temple’s summit, re-enacting the victory of Huitzilopochtli over Coyoxauhqui. Continue >>