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The Aztec
The Relationship of the Human Body and the Cosmos
Cosmovision
• All life is integrated around a sacred center– Sacred Tree/Sacred Mountain
• World health was connected to the correct circulation of energies– Rituals at the center.
Aztec Understanding of a Human Being
• Divided into 3 realms– Above, middle, below– Similar to the cosmos
Head
• In the head resides Tonalli– Animating principle of the sun – Tonalli means day
• Entered the body through fontanel (third eye) at birth– Source of intelligence
Heart
• Associated with the heavens and earth– teyolia--container of vigor and energy--blood--
vital fluid• Site of memory and knowledge– Source of power to divine fates
Liver
• Connected with the underworld and the dead– earth energies
• Connected with emotions and bravery– Also a source for disease
Unity of Time and Space
• 3 calendars– Year, Agricultural and
Divinitory• Fervary Mayer– 8 directions, blood
flowing to body parts• Tonalpohualli-Day
Count– Divintory calendar– 260 days
Tenochtitlan
Ceremonial Center
Templo Mayor--Altepetl (Water Mountain)
Coyolxauhqui--Moon Goddess
Coatlicue and Huitzilopochtli
• Coatlicue (Serpent Skirt)– Earth Mother
• Huitzilopochtli– Solar Deity
• Nextlahualli--Blood Sacrifice– Payment of Debt
Tlaloc and the Valley of Mexico
• Tlaloc--”he who is the embodiment of the land”
• Tlalocan--the home of Tlaloc located in the underworld
Atlcahualo--Drought
• First Month – Before rainy season
(12 February)
• Child Sacrifice• Ritual map of Valley
of Mexico
Eating Landscape
• Earth was Tlaloc’s body, sites of sacrifice were his mouths– Demand was for human
blood in exchange for water
– Fruits of human body (children) were exchanged for fruits of the earth (agricultural products)
– Sacrifice--”payment of debt”