Xiuhtecuhtli

Xiuhtecuhtli
Aztec god of fire and creator of all life.

With Chantico, his feminine counterpart, he was believed to be a representation of Ometecuhtli. Xiuhtecuhtli's festivals coincided with the two extremes in the climatological cycle, the heat of August and the cold of January. He was also the centre of a ritual transfer of fire from temple to temple that occurred once every 52 years, at the end of the Aztec calendar cycle.

* * *

▪ Aztec deity
Nahuatl“Turquoise [Year] Lord”also called  Huehueteotl  or  Old God 
  Aztec god of fire, thought to be the creator of all life. “Old God” is a reflection of his relative age in the Aztec pantheon. In association with Chantico, his feminine counterpart, Xiuhtecuhtli was believed to be a representation of the divine creator, Ometecuhtli.

      One of the important duties of an Aztec priest centred on the maintenance of the sacred fire, making sure that it would burn perpetually. A new fire was ritually kindled during the dedication of new buildings. The two festivals of Xiuhtecuhtli coincide with the two extremes in the climatological cycle, the heat of August and the cold of January. Once every 52 years, at the end of a complete cycle in the calendar of the Aztecs, fire was ceremonially transferred first from temple to temple and then from temples to homes.

      The god of fire appears in various representations and guises, one of which depicts him as a toothless old man with a stooped back, carrying an enormous brazier on his head. His insignia was the Xiuhcóatl, or serpent of fire, characterized by a nose of horn, decorated with seven stars.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Xiuhtecuhtli — als Maske Britisches Museum …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Xiuhtecuhtli — Xiuhtecuhtli, Codex Borgia Xiuhtecuhtli (nom nahuatl composé de « tecuhtli », « seigneur » et de « xiuh » …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Xiuhtecuhtli — En este artículo sobre historia y mitología se detectaron los siguientes problemas: Necesita ser wikificado conforme a las convenciones de estilo de Wikipedia. Carece de fuentes o referencias que aparezcan en una fuente acreditada …   Wikipedia Español

  • Xiuhtecuhtli — In Aztec mythology, Xiuhtecuhtli ( Turquoise Lord ), but 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 …   Wikipedia

  • Xiuhtecuhtli — En la mitología azteca Xiuhtecuhtli también llamado Huehueteotl (este último nombre de significado dios viejo) era la personificación de la vida después de la muerte, la luz en la oscuridad y la comida en épocas de hambruna. Generalmente se le… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Xiuhtecuhtli-Cozauhqui — dans la mythologie aztèque, est le dieu du feu jaune. Selon quelques sources il est le fils de Xiuhtecuhtli et Xantico, ou de Xantico seule. Il a trois frères appelés Xiuhtecuhtli Iztac, Xiuhtecuhtli Tlatlauhqui, Xiuhtecuhtli Xoxoauhqui, lesquels …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Xiuhtecuhtli-Iztac — dans la mythologie aztèque, est le dieu du feu blanc. Selon quelques sources il est le fils de Xiuhtecuhtli et Xantico, ou de Xantico seule. Il a trois frères appelés Xiuhtecuhtli Tlatlauhqui, Xiuhtecuhtli Cozauhqui, Xiuhtecuhtli Xoxoauhqui,… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Xiuhtecuhtli-Tlatlauhqui — dans la mythologie aztèque, est le dieu du feu rouge. Selon quelques sources il est le fils de Xiuhtecuhtli et Xantico, ou de Xantico seule. Il a trois frères appelés Xiuhtecuhtli Iztac, Xiuhtecuhtli Cozauhqui, Xiuhtecuhtli Xoxoauhqui, lesquels… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Xiuhtecuhtli-Xoxoauhqui — dans la mythologie aztèque, est le dieu du feu bleu. Selon quelques sources il est le fils de Xiuhtecuhtli et Xantico, ou de Xantico seule. Il a trois frères appelés Xiuhtecuhtli Iztac, Xiuhtecuhtli Cozauhqui, Xiuhtecuhtli Tlatlauhqui, lesquels… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Xiuhtecuhtli —    Ancient Aztec fire god and lord of the year. He was also sometimes known as Huehueteotl, ‘the Old God’. He was the lord of the first hour of the day and the first hour of the night …   Who’s Who in non-classical mythology

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”