Coatlicue
Coatlicue, the Aztec goddess of the earth, was a complex figure associated with creation, fertility, and mortality. She was often depicted as a terrifying figure with a serpent skirt, a human heart hanging from her chest, and a skull-adorned belt.
Parents: Tlaltecuhtli and Tlalcihuatl
Consort: Mixcoatl (Codex Florentine)
Siblings: Chimalma and Xochitlicue (Codex Ríos)
Children: With Mixcoatl: Huitzilopochtli, Coyolxauhqui and the Centzon Huitznahuac (Codex Florentine). With Camaxtle-Mixcoatl or Tonatiuh: the Centzon Mimixcoa (Codex Ramirez).
Coatlicue’s story is intertwined with the Aztec creation myth. She was magically impregnated by a ball of feathers and gave birth to Huitzilopochtli, the patron god of the Aztecs. However, her other children, led by Coyolxauhqui, attempted to kill her. Huitzilopochtli intervened, defeating his siblings and ensuring the survival of the Aztec people.
Coatlicue was also associated with fertility and the earth. Her image was often found on altars and temples, representing the earth’s nurturing power and the interconnectedness of all living things. The Aztec people performed rituals to honor Coatlicue and seek her blessings for the fertility of the land.
The Coatlicue statue in the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico, and several other versions, may represent a personified snake skirt. This connection to the earth deity Tlaltecuhtli highlights the duality of Coatlicue’s nature, as both a giver and taker of life.
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