Tecciztecatl. View source. History. Talk (0) Share. See also: Iah. In Aztec mythology, Tecciztecatl (“old moon god”; also Tecuciztecal, Tecuciztecatl) was a lunar deity, representing the old “man-in-the-moon”.
What is Tecuciztecatl the god of?
In Aztec mythology, Tecciztecatl (“old moon god”; also Tecuciztecal, Tecuciztecatl) was a lunar deity, representing the old “man-in-the-moon”. The Aztecs believed that they were living in a universe dominated by a generation of sun gods, the current one known as Tonatiuh, was the fifth.
What did Tecciztecatl do to Nanahuatzin?
Tecciztecatl makes offerings of rich gifts and coral. Nanahuatzin offers his blood and performs acts of penance. The gods prepare a large bonfire that burns for four days, and construct a platform high above it from which the two chosen gods must leap into the flames.
Why did Tecciztecatl turn into the Moon?
One of the gods, angry over Tecciztecatl’s lack of courage, takes a rabbit and throws it in Tecciztecatl’s face, causing him to lose his brilliance. Tecciztecatl thus becomes the moon, which bears the impression of a rabbit to this very day.
