Digital Maps of the Ancient World

Mixcoatl

In the vast tapestry of Aztec deities, Mixcoatl stands as an enigmatic and intriguing figure. Often shrouded in mystery, he embodies the hunt, the Milky Way, the stars, and the wilderness.

Residence: Ilhuicatl-Nanatzcayan (Eighth Heaven)
Parents: Omecihuatl and Ometecuhtli, created by Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl (Codex Zumarraga)
Consort: Chimalma (Codex Chimalpopca), Coatlicue (Codex Florentine) and Ilancueye (Codex Mendieta)
Children: With Chimalma: Quetzalcoatl and Xolotl (Codex Chimalpopca). With Coatlicue: Huitzilopochtli, Coyolxauhqui, Centzon Huitznahuac (Codex Florentine). With Ilancueye: the giants Xelhua, Tenoch, Ulmecatl, Xicalancatl, Mixtecatl, Otomitl (Codex Mendieta). With Tlalcihuatl or Coatlicue: Centzon Mimixcoa (Codex Ramirez).
Festivals: Quecholli

Mixcoatl was revered as the god of the hunt. He was seen as the protector of hunters, ensuring their success in the pursuit of prey. Hunters would often make offerings to Mixcoatl before venturing out, seeking his blessings for a bountiful harvest.

Mixcoatl was closely linked to the Milky Way, which the Aztecs called the “white road.” They believed it was the path taken by the souls of warriors who died in battle to reach the celestial paradise. Mixcoatl, therefore, served as a guide for these warrior souls on their journey to the afterlife. The stars were also associated with him. Some myths depict him as a celestial hunter, chasing prey across the night sky.

One Aztec myth credits Mixcoatl with playing a pivotal role in the creation of the Fifth Sun, the current sun in their cyclical universe. However, the details of this role are unclear and shrouded in mystery. Some aspects of Mixcoatl suggest a connection to destructive forces. He was sometimes associated with whirlwinds and storms, representing the unpredictable and potentially dangerous aspects of the natural world.

Distinctively, Mixcoatl was represented with a black mask over his eyes and distinctive red and white pin stripes painted on his body, a striking visual representation of the hunt and his connection to the wild. Sometimes he was portrayed as having an opossum as his double or companion. The opossum, a nocturnal creature, further solidified his association with the wilderness and the night.

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