Xiuhtecuhtli

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Some information in this article or section is not attributed to sources and may not be reliable.
Please check for inaccuracies, and modify and cite sources as needed.

The mask of Xiuhtecuhtli, from the British Museum, of Aztec/Mixtec provenance.

Statue of Huehueteotl in Tijuana, Mexico

In Aztec mythology, Xiuhtecuhtli (also named Ixcozauhqui and Huehueteotl, "old god") was the personification of life after death, warmth in cold (fire), light in darkness and food during famine. He was usually depicted with a red or yellow face and a censer on his head. His wife was Chalchiuhtlicue.

According to Codex Fejérváry-Mayer, a prehispanic Mesoamerican manuscript, Xiuhtecuhtli was considered "Mother and Father of the Gods, who dwells in the center of earth"^{[citation needed]}

At the end of the Aztec century (52 years), the gods were thought to be able to end their covenant with humanity. Feasts were held in honor of Xiuhtecuhtli to keep his favors, and human sacrifices were burned after removing their heart.