It is not true, not true,that we come to this earth to live.
We come only to sleep, only to dream.Our body is a flower.
As grass becomes green in the springtime, so our hearts will open and give forth buds and then they
wither.
----Aztec poem
Aztec cherished their children and celebrated any birth for four days according to family wealth. Gifts given and received.
Naming ceremony (very important to have an auspicious name)
Baptismal ceremony Cleansing
Aztecs equated giving birth as equivalent to a warrior in battle. The soul of the child was sent to earth and the woman had to struggle and fight to bring him into the world of people.
Community involved in raising a child but parents were expected to be responsible.
SOCIAL BEHAVIORS
Women of Tenochiltlan were less prone to wear make up and tattoos as in the outer districts.Heavy make-up and loose hair was associated with prostitutes.
“Do not wear red on your lips. If you want your husband to love you dress well and wash your clothes.”
--- from the Codex Borbonicus
Cuicacalli: school for song and dance. Calmecac: school for boys—dreams and
omens, glyphs, and military arts (elites only).
Auianime: courtesans who attended to warriors “needs.”
Telpochaalli: school for young men (commoners) law, history, religion, and proper behavior.
SIN
Moral behavior was expected as well as obedience to the law.
Tlazoltcotl was the god of Filth. Both inspired and absolved sin.
Confession to priests of sins in the name of Tlazolcotl could absolve any crime—if you had not been caught--once in your lifetime (so plan ahead).
IF IT SEEMS THERE WERE A LOT OF GODS…
You are correct. In part the problem stems from Aztec
respect for and incorporation of the Gods of their conquered enemies and conquests.
Even Aztec priests had a tough time keeping track.
Population density of Tenochitlan greater than modern Manhattan.
Men not allowed to marry until 20 years of age, girls at 14. Marriages arranged.
Turquois symbolized water and sky. Second only to jade in preciousness.
Only nobles could wear cotton garments.
A FEW MISCELANEOUS FACTS.
Although burials took place, most preferred to be cremated.
Iguanas were considered a delicious addition to dinner.
A kind of hairless, barkless dog was a favorite for special feasts.
Judges could be put to death for taking bribes.
BACKGROUND
Born of noble birth, sold into slavery in act of betrayal by her mother.
“Rescued from servitude” by the good Christian Hernan Cortez.
Served at his side as translator. Given the title Dona Marina. Disappears from history in 1531
(probably a victim of smallpox, but perhaps some other reason).
ACCORDING TO BERNAL DIAZ DEL CASTILLO
Skilled linguist Spoke Mayan
dialects of Tobasco, Nahualtl, and achieved fluency in Spanish.
Shrewd and capable aid.
“Born a Princess and looked like one,” “noble bearing.”
Recognized as having standing—Cortez used her as an emissary and guide to social cues and behaviors of noble class.
Contemporary accounts hold her in favorable light for her accomplishments.
But over time she came to stand for all things treasonous, for betrayal and treachery.
The truth is, the Aztec fell to armies of many enemies allied to the Spaniards with their own agendas.
Did she betray her people? Or, is she victim twice, once by her
tribe and now by modern society looking for a scape goat for the conquest?
According to this is a Euro-myth of just conquest.
A PATTERN OF EUROPEAN MYTH MANUFACTURE?
Women portrayed as aids and betrayers working with Christian conquerors.
European conqueror is seen as more virile and acceptable compared to native peoples.
Europeans viewed as Gods by native peoples awed by strangeness and technology.
EXAMPLES OF REPEATED HISTORICAL THEME
Columbus Hernan Cortez
Captain John Smith
Lewis and Clark
Captain Cook
As a God A God…Princess
Dona Marina “Princess”
Pocahontas
Sacagawea
A God, Hawaiian Princess
One of the latest manifestation of nobility.
The image of a noble Aztec and maiden in distress is a common theme on tattoos, not just on black velvet.
Note that both individuals have strikingly European appearance.
What are the subliminal messages this conveys to the viewer?