Mictecacihuatl

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In Aztec mythology, Mictecacihuatl (pronounced /miktekasiuat͡ɬ/) is Queen of Mictlan, the underworld, ruling over the afterlife with Mictlantecuhtli, another deity who is her husband.^[1]

Her role is to watch over the bones of the dead and preside over the ancient festivals of the dead. These festivals evolved from Aztec traditions into the modern Day of the Dead after synthesis with Spanish traditions. She now presides over the contemporary festival as well. Mictecacihuatl is known as the Lady of the Dead, since it is believed that she was born, then sacrificed as an infant. Mictecacihuatl was represented with a defleshed body and with jaw agape to swallow the stars during the day.^[2]

Notes

↑ Miller & Taube 1993, 2003, p.113.
↑ Fernández 1992, 1996, p.142.

References

Fernández, Adela (1992, 1996). Dioses Prehispánicos de México. Mexico City: Panorama Editorial. ISBN 968-38-0306-7. OCLC 28801551. Check date values in: |date= (help) (Spanish)

Miller, Mary; and Karl Taube (1993). An Illustrated Dictionary of the Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya. London: Thames & Hudson. ISBN 0-500-27928-4. OCLC 59601185.

v t e Aztec religion and mythology

Aztec religion	Human sacrifice in Aztec culture Templo Mayor

Aztec mythology	Centeotl Chalchiuhtlicue Cihuacoatl Coatlicue Coyolxauhqui Ehecatl Huehuecoyotl Huehueteotl Huitzilopochtli Itzpapalotl Mictlantecuhtli Mixcoatl Ometeotl Piltzintecuhtli Quetzalcoatl Tepoztecatl Tezcatlipoca Tlaloc Tlazolteotl Toci Tonatiuh Xipe Totec Xiuhcoatl Xiuhtecuhtli Xochipilli Xochiquetzal Xolotl

Places in Aztec myth	Aztlán Mictlan Tlalocan Tamoanchan Tlillan-Tlapallan

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