Tonatiuh

Tonatiuh
Sun deity of the Aztecs and Nahuas.

According to most myths, there were four eras that preceded the era of Tonatiuh, each of which ended by cataclysm. He was viewed as a god constantly threatened by the awesome tasks of his daily birth at sunrise, arduous journey across the sky, and death at each sunset. He was the object of human sacrifice, which was thought necessary to sustain him. Generally represented by a colorful disk, he was depicted in the center of the Aztec calendar, with his eagle's claw hands clutching human hearts.

* * *

▪ Aztec god
      in Mesoamerican religion, Nahua sun deity of the fifth and final era (the Fifth Sun). In most myths of the Mesoamerican Nahua peoples, including those of the Aztecs (Aztec), four eras preceded the era of Tonatiuh, each ended by cataclysmic destruction. Tonatiuh, or Ollin Tonatiuh, was associated with the eagle (at sunrise and sunset) and, in Aztec versions, with the deity Huitzilopochtli.

      The Aztecs viewed Tonatiuh as a god constantly threatened by the awesome tasks of his daily birth at sunrise, by his death each sunset, and by the immense effort of making his journey across the sky each day. According to Aztec traditions, the gods themselves were believed to practice voluntary sacrifice, first to create Tonatiuh and then to feed him and encourage him on his path through the sky. The worship of Tonatiuh, whose sustenance required human blood and hearts, involved militaristic cults and the practice of frequent human sacrifice to ensure perpetuation of the world.

      Tonatiuh is generally represented by a colourful disk. He is best known as he is depicted in the centre of the Aztec calendar, with his eagle's claw hands clutching human hearts.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Tonatiuh — steht für: Tonatiuh (Gottheit der Azteken), Sonnengott der Azteken; siehe unter Liste der Aztekengötter Tonatiuh ist der Vorname folgender Personen: Tonatiuh Martínez (* 1962), mexikanischer Garten und Landschaftsarchitekt …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Tonatiuh — Tonatiuh, mexicanischer Name der Sonne. Der Gott u. Beherrscher derselben war der vergötterte Held Manahuatzin …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Tonatiuh — This article is about the god. For the conquistador, see Pedro de Alvarado. Tonatiuh as depicted in the Codex Telleriano Remensis. In Aztec mythology, Tonatiuh (Nahuatl: Ollin Tonatiuh Movement of the Sun ) was the sun god. The Aztec people… …   Wikipedia

  • Tonatiuh — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Tonatiuh (homonymie). Tonatiuh (Nahuatl : Ollin Tonatiuh, mouvement du Soleil) dans la mythologie aztèque désignai …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Tonatiuh — Este artículo o sección necesita referencias que aparezcan en una publicación acreditada, como revistas especializadas, monografías, prensa diaria o páginas de Internet fidedignas. Puedes añadirlas así o avisar al autor prin …   Wikipedia Español

  • Tonatiuh — En la mitología azteca, Tonatiuh era el dios del sol. El pueblo azteca lo considero como el líder de Tollan, o el cielo. También fue conocido como el quinto sol, debido a que los aztecas creían que asumió el control cuando el cuarto sol fue… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Tonatiuh (Gottheit der Azteken) — Tonatiuh dargestellt im Kodex Telleriano Remensis …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Tonatiuh Martinez — Tonatiuh Martínez (* 1962 in Monterrey) ist ein mexikanischer Garten und Landschaftsarchitekt. Biografie Martínez studierte Veterinärmedizin und Tierzucht an der medizinischen Fakultät der Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) und… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Tonatiuh Martínez — (* 1962 in Monterrey) ist ein mexikanischer Garten und Landschaftsarchitekt. Biografie Martínez studierte Veterinärmedizin und Tierzucht an der medizinischen Fakultät der Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) und absolvierte und… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Tonatiuh (homonymie) — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Tonatiuh, le dieu aztèque du soleil. Ilhuicatl Tonatiuh, le troisième ciel aztèque. Catégorie : Homonymie …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

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