#aztec gods

[blueiskewl]

Earthquake Reveals Aztec Snakehead Beneath Mexico City

Researchers are conserving a rare snakehead from the Aztecs that still retains its painted colors from hundreds of years ago.

An earthquake last year revealed a big surprise beneath a law school in modern-day Mexico City: a giant, colorful snakehead from the Aztec Empire.

The snakehead dates back more than 500 years, to when the Aztecs controlled the area, which at the time was part of the flourishing capital of Tenochtitlan. The sculpture was discovered after a magnitude-7.6 earthquake struck Mexico City on Sept. 19, 2022; the seismic event caused damage and changes in the topography, revealing the snakehead beneath a building that was part of a law school at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) said in a Spanish-language statement.

The Aztecs built temples and pyramids and worshipped a number of deities, including Quetzalcoatl, who was often depicted as a snake. However, it's unclear if this sculpture depicts him, the archaeologists said.

The sculpted snake is 5.9 feet (1.8 meters) long, 2.8 feet (0.85 m) wide and 3.3 feet (1 m) high, and it weighs about 1.3 tons (1.2 metric tons), the INAH said. Several colors — including red, blue, black and white — are preserved on the sculpture.

Color was preserved on about 80% of the sculpture's surface. To keep it preserved, an INAH team lifted the snakehead out of the ground with a crane and constructed a humidity chamber around the sculpture. This chamber allows the sculpture to lose humidity gradually, with its color being preserved, María Barajas Rocha, a conservationist with the INAH who worked extensively on the sculpture, said in the statement.

While other snakehead sculptures have been found at Tenochtitlan, this one is particularly important for its preserved colors, said Erika Robles Cortés, an archaeologist with the INAH.

"Thanks to the context in which this piece was discovered, but above all, thanks to the stupendous intervention of the restorers-conservators led by Maria Barajas, it has been possible to stabilize the colors for its preservation in almost all the sculpture, which is extremely important, because the colors have helped us to conceive pre-Hispanic art from another perspective," Robles Cortés told Live Science in an email.

The sculpture's "sheer size is impressive, as well as its artistry," but the survival of the colors is remarkable, said Frances Berdan, a professor emeritus of anthropology at California State University, San Bernardino who was not involved with the excavation. "The survival of black, white, red, yellow, and blue paints is particularly interesting — one gains a good image of the visual impact of such sculptures as they were arrayed about the city center," Berdan said in an email.

In addition to its preserved colors, the snakehead's size is notable, said Bertrand Lobjois, an associate professor of humanities at the University of Monterrey in Mexico who is not involved in the excavation. The "first time I saw this serpent head, I was dazzled by its dimensions," he said in an email.

Lobjois also praised the conservation work that allowed the colors to survive, noting that "the conservation process allows us to appreciate the naturalistic approach of figuration" the Aztec artists used.

This work is ongoing and will continue at the site into next year.

By Owen Jarus.

#Earthquake Reveals Aztec Snakehead Beneath Mexico City #National Autonomous University of Mexico #Quetzalcoatl #sculpture #stone sculpture #ancient artifacts #archeology #archeolgst #history #history news #ancient history #ancient culture #ancient civilizations #aztec culture #aztec history #aztec mythology #aztec gods #aztec empire #aztec art

[gregor-the-man-man]

Aztec Gods: Centeotl - Mixcoatl - Chalchiuhtotolin - Xiuhtecuhtli

#aztec gods #aztec mythology #aztec #aztec culture #mesoamerica #azteca #xiuhtecuhtl #centeotl #mixcoatl #chalchiuhtotolin #myth #mythos #mythological gods

[sealhaus]

Dog gods

Half of my illustration and design final

#mythology #egyptian #ancient egypt #egyptian mythology #god anubis #Anubis #aztec mythology #aztec #mexica #aztec gods #xolotl #xolo dog #indigenous art #anthro furry #anthro #animal gods #furry

[mythological-mayhem]

Like/reblog if Aztec mythology is underrated as fuck.

(also rb if you post about any kind of Aztec mythology. I need more of this content.)

#aztec mythology #aztec gods #mythology #reblog #like

[xochitlcoyote]

Quetzalcoatl and Huehuecoyotl

Working on drawing more Aztec gods, probably drawing Coatlicue and Xochiquetzal soon.

#mesoamerican #mexican #mexica #huehuecoyotl #Quetzalcoatl #coyote #gods #aztec #aztec art #aztec gods #ancient gods #illustration

[godsofhumanity]

Tezcatlipoca: what else are you good at? other than making my life fucking miserable. Quetzalcoatl: i can colour!

#too true king #it's completely in the lines and the shading is immaculate #tezcatlipoca #aztec gods #aztec mythology #incorrect aztec gods #incorrect aztec mythology #incorrect mythology #mythology #s: a text #queuetzalcoatl

[startheskelaton]

Stella’s bio parents

#digital art #drawing #illustration #fanart #artists on tumblr #fantasy #oc #art #web comic #creepy pasta #creepypasta au #Stella small town creepypasta au #small town creepypasta au #scp fandom #scp foundation #scp 049 #Coyolxāuhqui #aztec mythology #aztec gods

[wol-06]

Pitao Cozobi🌽, Tezcatlipoca👁️, Itztlacoliuhqui❄️. Lord of agriculture and food, Lord what exists and does not exist, and Lord of winter and earthquakes.

#artists on tumblr #art #ilustration #original art #digital art #mesoamerica #prehispanic #aztec gods #zapotec gods #aztec mythology #character design #pitaocozobi #tezcatlipoca #itztlacoliuhqui

[leaslichoma]

I've been fascinated with the Aztec god Xolotl recently.

Xolotl (pronunced Sho-lo-t followed by an L like sound that doesn't exist in the English language) was a Mesoamerican god associated with many things, including fire, lightning, disease, deformity, twins, the Mesoamerican ball game, death, dogs, the planet Venus as the evening star, twilight, shapeshifting, and monsters. Xolotl was the twin and sometimes companion of his more famous brother Quetzalcoatl. Xolotl was thought to guide the dead in their journey through the underworld, and to guide the sun through the underworld each night. Xolotl is usually depicted as either a dog anthro, a man with a dog head, or a dwarf skeletal jester. Xolotl is usually depicted missing eyes. Xolotl seems to have been feared by the Aztecs and especially hated by the Spanish, but I have a more favorable view.

Some of the most prominent myths about Xolotl involve the story of the fifth sun, or how the current world was made from the previous, destroyed one.

The first myth involves the recreation of humanity. The tales differ as to whether Quetzalcoatl was responsible, Xolotl was responsible, or if it was a collaborative effort. The humans of the fourth world were destroyed, and humanity had to be brought back. To this end Xolotl and/or Quetzalcoatl traveled to the Aztec underworld, Mictlan and met with its king, Mictlantecutli. The god(s) asked to gather the bones of the previous humans so they could be created anew. Mictlantecutli. Mictlantecutli gives them tests but later decides against letting them gather the bones. Xolotl and/or Quetzalcoatl fall into pit, breaking the bones in the process which is why people have different heights. The bones are later resurrected. The versions of this tale differ as to which god went to Mictlan and whether they did tests for Mictlantecutli or simply stole the bones.

In the second myth, the gods are sacrificing themselves in a fire to create a fifth sun for humanity because the previous one went out. They choose Nanahuatzin, a poor and humble god with syphilis and some relation to Xolotl to become the moon; and Tecciztecatl to become the sun because he is wealthy and strong. However, Tecciztecatl is unable to throw himself in the fire when the time comes, so Nanahuatzin becomes the sun instead. Tecciztecatl is sacrificed after and becomes the moon (and also the man on the moon), but has a rabbit thrown at his face which is one explanation for the rabbit people sometimes see.

Later, Xolotl is the last to be sacrificed to the new sun. In some versions this is because he was the executioner for the previous gods. However, in some tales he refuses to sacrifice himself. Xolotl begs and cries until his eyes literally fall out but this does nothing. Xolotl transforms to escape Ehecatl who has been executing other gods to make the sun move. Xolotl at first transforms into a corn plant with two stalks, then an Agave americana, and finally an Axolotl amphibian. But he was still caught in the end.

What I find most interesting about Xolotl is his relation to disability. Since deformities are among Xolotl's best known domains, he could be considered a god of disabilities as well. Xolotl is also a god of monsters, and it's worth mentioning that the Nahua word "Xolo" which his name is derived from and means monster, is used for both mythological monsters and those with physical abnormalities, much like the Latin word "Monstrum". (I think in literature analysis the themes of monsters as outcasts could be explored more) In many, perhaps even most historical (and unfortunately even modern) societies the attitude towards those with disabilities has been very negative. In the Aztec world twins were considered unnatural, and sometimes one of them would be murdered shortly after birth. Wikipedia mentions an speculation by Eduard Seler that resonates with me: that Xolotl represents the murdered twin who dwells in the underworld while Quetzalcoatl is the living one who is cherished in the world of light.

Another connection with Xolotl and disability is that he was sometimes depicted as a jester with dwarfism. It's relevant the jesters around the world were often disabled. European court jesters were known for having the freedom to criticize and mock royalty, and were sometimes selected from the intellectually disabled because they could not be held responsible for what they said. Additionally, the Spanish during the colonization of the Aztecs sent some Aztec jesters to Spain, who were described as humpbacks.

This is what I find most interesting about Xolotl, that he is a reflection or shadow of society. Historically Xolotl was often considered a sinister god, but when society is itself sinister who is to be believed? My view of Xolotl is more favorable. The god of the disabled is feared because the disabled are hated. Xolotl is the outcast, who is hated and feared yet has done no wrong. Xolotl is the murdered twin, who looks upon the world of light and life, from a place of darkness, the world he was not given, never had the right to enjoy. He is the god who is looked upon with disgust due to his role in hardship, yet is the only one who stays with you through that hardship the entire time. Xolotl is the disabled child, who is called a child of shame and hidden away in some institution to be forgotten by their more privileged relatives. Xolotl is viewed with contempt, but his domains are just as necessary to the universe's function as any of the more handsome gods. The janitor, who is viewed with contempt and disgust yet whose works are vital for society.

The "evil twin" Xolotl, misunderstood twin and hound of Quetzalcoatl who lives in the world's shadow, watching the world of life and guarding the light of the sun through the underworld.

#LONG POST #xolotl #aztecs #aztec mythology #aztec religion #aztec gods #mexica mythology #mesoamerica #ableism cw #cw ableism #ableism tw #ableism mention #infanticide mention #filicide mention #mesoamerican mythology #infodump #infodumping

[bastrod]

Last piece of aztec mythology art ive made so far. More to come in the future most likely.

#chalchiuhtlicue #flood #mythology #mythology and folklore #digital art #my art #artists on tumblr #digital artist #art #illustration #aztec #aztec gods #mesoamerica #mexico

[noose-lion]

I finally understand why dog show enthusiasts are so proud of their winning dogs.

A design I made for raynekloud's contest on instagram. My prompt was Mythology: When designing him I leaned heavily on Xolotyl an Aztec god of fire and lightning (also of twins, monsters, misfortune, and sickness). He was known for being a soul-guide for the dead. He's my favorite god of the Aztec pantheon.

#og design #mythology #xototl #aztec mythology #aztec gods #aztec #gods #jesture drawing #orginal art #original design

[blueiskewl]

The Aztec Death Whistle ‘The Most Terrifying Sound in the World’

For those who want to celebrate Halloween like it’s 1399: Scientists are sending shivers down the internet’s collective spine by recreating an ancient “Aztec Death Whistle” that’s said to emit the “most terrifying sound in the world.”

The macabre kazoo is detailed in a new video produced by the Action Lab, a group of proud internet nerds who specialize in mind-bending experiments.

“The sound that the death whistle makes innately strikes fear into your heart,” intones presenter James J. Orgill in the clip while holding a 3D-printed version of the instrument.

The Brigham Young University engineering grad then plays an audio clip of the scream machine, which evokes a bloodcurdling, bansheelike shriek resembling a sound effect from a haunted house attraction. (We dare you not to jump!)

Orgill points out that this is not a “human scream” but rather the sound emitted by the replica of a skull-shaped artifact originally discovered in Mexico City in 1999 by archaeologists.

It was reportedly found clutched in the hand of a headless skeleton in a temple dedicated to the wind god Ehecatl — one of many sites where the Aztecs conducted human sacrifices.

Initially thinking it was a toy, per Orgill, scientists didn’t blow into it until 15 years later, whereupon it emitted a terrifying sound.

“‘It was a startling discovery because it sounded like a screaming human,” said the burgeoning YouTube star, who dubbed it the “most terrifying sound in the world.”

The Aztecs were able to create this nightmarish noise by modeling the death whistle after the human larynx.

When the user blows into the instrument, the wind divides in two, producing oscillating sound waves that bounce around a large chamber before leaving via a second hole.

While the purpose of the instrument remains unclear, experts have several theories, with some believing this fright flute was used to scare enemies in battle.

Others postulate that the whistle was a defense talisman used to ward off evil spirits during a sacrificial victim’s journey to the afterlife.

In order to resurrect this symphony of screams for our listening “pleasure,” Orgill blew into different Tim Burton-esque whistles that were 3D-printed by US tech firm HeyGears.

All told, they made the raptor larynx from “Jurassic Park” sound like a kazoo.

No 3D printer, no problem: Interested parties can buy their death whistles on Amazon, which offers duplicates made of materials ranging from resin to carbon fiber.

Many advertise how closely their decibels match that of the most bone-chilling human screams.

By Ben Cost.

#Aztec Death Whistle #The Aztec Death Whistle ‘The Most Terrifying Sound in the World’ #Tlatelolco #mexico city #the wind god Ehecatl #ancient artifacts #archeology #archeolgst #history #history news #ancient history #ancient culture #ancient civilizations #aztecs #aztec history #aztec mythology #aztec culture #aztec gods #aztec empire #aztec art

[hygalax]

Xochipilli the prince of flowers, patron of two spirits

#mexica #xochipilli #aztec #aztec mythology #myart #native american #aztec gods #two spirit

[thysanniia]

I created this Quetzalcoatl design for a college project a few years back. Wild how the time flies.... I'm still quite proud of how it came out

#my art #creature design #quetzalcoatl #aztec gods #slowly but surely i'm dredging through my files to find the few art pieces i still like

[mythological-mayhem]

The four Tezcatlipocas have an insane family dynamic just think about it:

-Huitzilopochtli is the serious kingly leader that tries just a smidge too hard to be funny

-Quetzalcoatl is the nice one that can probably turn on a dime if you piss him off bad enough

-Tezcatlipoca is the one who commits destruction of property for shits and giggles and he gets away with it all the time, because why wouldn't he he's a god

-Xipe Totec is the usually gentle tactical one that's also on the last strand of his sanity trying to keep his family intact (I feel bad for him if he thinks they'll ever be normal)

-And then there's Coyolxauhqui, Huitzilopochtli's sister that isn't part of the four Tezcatlipocas and whom we never talk about like ever.

#aztec mythology #aztec gods #quetzalcoatl #tezcatlipoca #huitzilopochtli #xipe totec #coyolxauhqui #Xipe Totec 24/6 (he gets a break on Sundays) “GUYS STFU AND STOP TRYING TO KILL EACH OTHER” #How is Tezcatlipoca related to like #any of them #now that I think about it #I feel like they'd get along find but then there's HIM #He probably radiates angry/bad vibes but he isn't necessarily angry/bad #it's just because he's the god of strife he kinda emits that aura just to spark fights #anyway time to get back into my four tezcatlipocas ADDICTION

[h0bg0blin-meat]

I told @prettykittytanjiro about my Shesh x Quetzalcoatl ship and they spit out their juice (not really but cranberry juice on a garment would've been fun).

This was the exact reaction of Vishnu and Tezcatlipoca btw.

#lol sheshzalcoatl #dhdjsjdndjf #i will not apologize they go so well together #shesh is the softer one in the relationship but more chaotic one #quetz is tough love but the calm one #hindu mythology #shesha #adishesha #hindu myths #hindu gods #desiblr #hindublr #desi tag #desiposting #desi tumblr #aztec mythology #aztec gods #aztec #quetzelcoatl #quetzalcoatl #tezcatlipoca #vishnu #lord vishnu