Depicted here is Itzpapalotl (Obsidian Butterfly) on a pedastal. Behind her is Mixcoatl (cloud serpent) with Venus coming out of its mouth. On the bottom left of Itzpapalotl is Cuauhtli (an eagle). On the pedestal is a butterfly with obsidian flints on its wings. Itzpapalotl is the Obsidian Butterfly or Clawed Butterfly, the Feminine Warrior.
Itzpapalotl stands for purfication or rejuvenation. Itzpapalotl is often depicted as a skeletal being with jaguar claws and wings edged by obsidian knifes. Itzpapalotl is the ruler of Tamoanchan - the paradise where the Tzitzimimeh reside. Tamoachan, the heaven where the Teteoh created the human race, is also the home for the victims of infant mortality. Here grows the Suckling Tree which bears 400,000 nipples. In this place the children can comfortably regain strength for re-incarnation. The Tzitzimimeh are female deities*, and as such related to fertility, they are associated with the Cihuateteo (women who died in childbirth) and other female deities such as Tlaltecuhtli, Coatlicue, Citlalicue and Cihuacoatl and they are worshipped by midwives and women in labor. The Tzitzimimeh had a double role in Aztec religion: they were protectresses of the feminine and progenitresses of mankind. They were also powerful and dangerous, especially in periods of cosmic instability. Itzpapalotl rules over day Cozcacuauhtli (condor) and over trecena (13-day period) 1-Calli (1-house).
Mixcoatl (Cloud Serpent) was the deity* of the hunt and identified with the Milky Way, the stars, and the heavens in several Mesoamerican cultures. He was the patron deity of the Otomi, the Chichimecs, and several groups that claimed descent from the Chichimecs. While Mixcoatl was part of the Aztec pantheon, his role was less important than Huitzilopochtli, who was their central deity. Under the name of Camaxtli, Mixcoatl was worshipped as the central deity of Huejotzingo and Tlaxcala.
Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli was an Aztec deity* whose symbols were the planet Venus (the morning star) and the feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl. The Aztecs believed that Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli ruled the sky at noon (the twelfth hour of the day).
*The study of Mesoamerican religion has been the subject of misinformation and speculation. The Westernized version of Mesoamerican religions concludes that Native peoples, like the Aztecs, believed in many Gods. However, Indigenous sources claim that they did/do not believe in Gods, but rather believe in one supreme Creator (both male and female), which manifests his/herself in all aspects of creation, be it rain, fire, wind, etc. It is these manifestations that Native peoples are honoring.
Itzpapalotl stands for purfication or rejuvenation. Itzpapalotl is often depicted as a skeletal being with jaguar claws and wings edged by obsidian knifes. Itzpapalotl is the ruler of Tamoanchan - the paradise where the Tzitzimimeh reside. Tamoachan, the heaven where the Teteoh created the human race, is also the home for the victims of infant mortality. Here grows the Suckling Tree which bears 400,000 nipples. In this place the children can comfortably regain strength for re-incarnation. The Tzitzimimeh are female deities*, and as such related to fertility, they are associated with the Cihuateteo (women who died in childbirth) and other female deities such as Tlaltecuhtli, Coatlicue, Citlalicue and Cihuacoatl and they are worshipped by midwives and women in labor. The Tzitzimimeh had a double role in Aztec religion: they were protectresses of the feminine and progenitresses of mankind. They were also powerful and dangerous, especially in periods of cosmic instability. Itzpapalotl rules over day Cozcacuauhtli (condor) and over trecena (13-day period) 1-Calli (1-house).
Mixcoatl (Cloud Serpent) was the deity* of the hunt and identified with the Milky Way, the stars, and the heavens in several Mesoamerican cultures. He was the patron deity of the Otomi, the Chichimecs, and several groups that claimed descent from the Chichimecs. While Mixcoatl was part of the Aztec pantheon, his role was less important than Huitzilopochtli, who was their central deity. Under the name of Camaxtli, Mixcoatl was worshipped as the central deity of Huejotzingo and Tlaxcala.
Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli was an Aztec deity* whose symbols were the planet Venus (the morning star) and the feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl. The Aztecs believed that Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli ruled the sky at noon (the twelfth hour of the day).
*The study of Mesoamerican religion has been the subject of misinformation and speculation. The Westernized version of Mesoamerican religions concludes that Native peoples, like the Aztecs, believed in many Gods. However, Indigenous sources claim that they did/do not believe in Gods, but rather believe in one supreme Creator (both male and female), which manifests his/herself in all aspects of creation, be it rain, fire, wind, etc. It is these manifestations that Native peoples are honoring.