Tonantzin

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In Aztec mythology, Tonantzin was a lunar mother goddess. Like Tlaltecuhtli, she was sometimes depicted as a toad swallowing a stone knife.

In modern Mexico, the most important religious building (Basilica of Guadalupe) is built where the Tonantzin pyramid once stood. Some anthropologists believe that "Our Lady of Guadalupe" is a "Christianized" Tonantzin.

In literature, Tonantzin is the tragic heroine in Palomar by Gilbert Hernandez, who makes a living from selling deep fried babosas (giant slugs) in her Central American village. She is cited as being named after the goddess.

See also: Cihuacoatl and Coatlicue, similar Mesoamerican goddesses who may be drawn from shared origins. Other titles that seem to be related to this goddess are:"The Goddess of Sustenance", "Honored Grandmother", "Snake": Aztec Goddess of the Earth. She brought the corn. Mother of the Corn. Also refereed to as Chicomexochitl, or Chalchiuhcihuatl, meaning Seven flowers or "Woman of Precious Stone", and worshipped during the moveable feast called Xochilhuitl.

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