According to Aztec/Mexica/Nahua beliefs, Centeotl (also known as Centeocihuatl or Cinteotl) represents the essence of maize. Cintli means "dried maize still on the cob" and Teotl means "energy" or "essence". According to the Florentine Codex, Centeotl is the son of the female essence of earth, Tlazolteotl and the solar essence Piltzintecuhtli. Another version claims him as the son of Xochiquetzal.
The majority of evidence gathered on Centeotl suggests that he is usually portrayed as a young man (although a debate is still ongoing), with yellow body colouration. Some specialists believe that Centeotl used to be the female essence of maize, Chicomecōātl. Centeotl was considered one of the most important essences of the Aztec era. There are many common features that are shown in depictions of Centeotl. For example, there often seems to be maize in his headdress. Another striking trait is the black line passing down his eyebrow, through his cheek and finishing at the bottom of his jaw line. These face markings are similarly and frequently used in the late post-classic depictions of a Mayan maize deity.
The majority of evidence gathered on Centeotl suggests that he is usually portrayed as a young man (although a debate is still ongoing), with yellow body colouration. Some specialists believe that Centeotl used to be the female essence of maize, Chicomecōātl. Centeotl was considered one of the most important essences of the Aztec era. There are many common features that are shown in depictions of Centeotl. For example, there often seems to be maize in his headdress. Another striking trait is the black line passing down his eyebrow, through his cheek and finishing at the bottom of his jaw line. These face markings are similarly and frequently used in the late post-classic depictions of a Mayan maize deity.