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”