The Demon: Tzitzimtitl
The importance of spirituality is interesting when it comes to the Aztecs because they should it by sacrificing people and food. This statue representing the demon or the Lord of the Dead, shows us some basic aspects of Aztec culture immortalised in stone. The statue of this demon stood, stained with blood, in the entrance of 'House of the Eagles' where priests made the rituals of piercing their bodies or sacrificing to the Gods. In this case we can clearly see the religious beliefs of the Aztec culture as well as cultural and social characteristics. Firstly, the demon stands with his claws/hands about to grab something (possibly the soul or body part of someone who sinned) and corn is coming out of his ribcage. With this we can see many cultural aspects of Aztec culture, the unquenched thirst for blood and sacrifice, the use of fear imposed by government and religion to keep citizens in line and finally the religious and cultural importance of corn. To the Aztecs and many Mesoamerican cultures, maize was the main crop and therefore linked it with the Gods, some cultures believed the Gods made humans out of corn, hence the importance of corn and it's linking to a death spirit. The posture of the demon in itself shows the perspective Aztecs had of their Gods, eager for blood.
The importance of spirituality is interesting when it comes to the Aztecs because they should it by sacrificing people and food. This statue representing the demon or the Lord of the Dead, shows us some basic aspects of Aztec culture immortalised in stone. The statue of this demon stood, stained with blood, in the entrance of 'House of the Eagles' where priests made the rituals of piercing their bodies or sacrificing to the Gods. In this case we can clearly see the religious beliefs of the Aztec culture as well as cultural and social characteristics. Firstly, the demon stands with his claws/hands about to grab something (possibly the soul or body part of someone who sinned) and corn is coming out of his ribcage. With this we can see many cultural aspects of Aztec culture, the unquenched thirst for blood and sacrifice, the use of fear imposed by government and religion to keep citizens in line and finally the religious and cultural importance of corn. To the Aztecs and many Mesoamerican cultures, maize was the main crop and therefore linked it with the Gods, some cultures believed the Gods made humans out of corn, hence the importance of corn and it's linking to a death spirit. The posture of the demon in itself shows the perspective Aztecs had of their Gods, eager for blood.
Coyolxauhqui
The head of the goddess Coyolxauhqui portrays some cultural aspects of the Aztecs through it's decorations and artistic expression. Firstly, her eyes and smile, this symbolised the Aztecs' ideal death, one where life after death is happy and peaceful. This taking into account that the goddess was beheaded by her nephew. Secondly, the jewelry worn by the head showed her high social status, to connect with those in the upper classes. Thirdly, the obvious characterstic is that once again the Aztecs portrayed some part of their religious history through art. In this case it was the tragic beheading of the noble goddess Coyolxauhqui, killed by the Aztec's favourite Huitzilopchtli. This could also be a way to show Huitzilopchtli's power over the Gods and to support the idea of the demanding of sacrifice.
The head of the goddess Coyolxauhqui portrays some cultural aspects of the Aztecs through it's decorations and artistic expression. Firstly, her eyes and smile, this symbolised the Aztecs' ideal death, one where life after death is happy and peaceful. This taking into account that the goddess was beheaded by her nephew. Secondly, the jewelry worn by the head showed her high social status, to connect with those in the upper classes. Thirdly, the obvious characterstic is that once again the Aztecs portrayed some part of their religious history through art. In this case it was the tragic beheading of the noble goddess Coyolxauhqui, killed by the Aztec's favourite Huitzilopchtli. This could also be a way to show Huitzilopchtli's power over the Gods and to support the idea of the demanding of sacrifice.