The Aztec ReligionThe Aztec Religion

The bloodiest culture in history.

TenochtitlanTenochtitlan

• One of the main One of the main cultural centers for the cultural centers for the Aztec civilization.Aztec civilization.

• Said to be consecrated Said to be consecrated by both Tlaloc and by both Tlaloc and Huitzilopochtli.Huitzilopochtli.

• All religious All religious ceremonies were ceremonies were directed on the main directed on the main temples.temples.

TenochtitlanTenochtitlanTemple PyramidTemple Pyramid

The GodsThe Gods

• HuitzilopochtliHuitzilopochtli

• Tezcatlipoca Tezcatlipoca

• Quetzalcoatl Quetzalcoatl

• TlalocTlaloc

• There are actually hundreds of gods There are actually hundreds of gods associated with the Aztecs. These are associated with the Aztecs. These are the most prominent. Also called the the most prominent. Also called the Creator gods.Creator gods.

HuitzilopochtliHuitzilopochtli

• Also called the Also called the “Hummingbird “Hummingbird Wizard”Wizard”

• War and Sun GodWar and Sun God

• Main God of the AztecsMain God of the Aztecs

• Conquered warriors Conquered warriors were sacrificed to him were sacrificed to him yearly. As many as yearly. As many as 20,000 a year may 20,000 a year may have been killed.have been killed.

TezcatlipocaTezcatlipoca

• Also called Also called “Smoking Mirror”“Smoking Mirror”

• God of Night and God of Night and all material things.all material things.

QuetzalcoatlQuetzalcoatl

• ““The Plumed The Plumed Serpent”Serpent”

• The god of The god of civilization, civilization, priesthood and priesthood and learning.learning.

TlalocTlaloc

• The Rain GodThe Rain God

• Children were Children were drowned as drowned as sacrifices to him.sacrifices to him.

• Main agricultural Main agricultural god.god.

SacrificeSacrifice

• Sacrifice was an important part of the Sacrifice was an important part of the religion.religion.

• Every god was sacrificed to.Every god was sacrificed to.• Some only required blood letting.Some only required blood letting.• Others required human sacrifices of varying Others required human sacrifices of varying

numbers.numbers.• Numbers of people sacrificed could get into Numbers of people sacrificed could get into

the thousands and many of those sacrificed the thousands and many of those sacrificed were also cooked and eaten once they had were also cooked and eaten once they had been rolled down the steps of the temple.been rolled down the steps of the temple.

Skull RackSkull Rack

ChacmoolChacmool

• Ritual statue used Ritual statue used to hold blood to hold blood during sacrificesduring sacrifices

• This one was found This one was found in Tenochtitlan.in Tenochtitlan.

• Sacrifices blood Sacrifices blood was drained into was drained into bowl and then left bowl and then left there.there.

Aztec CalendarAztec Calendar

• Each day controlled by two Each day controlled by two gods. One good one bad.gods. One good one bad.

• Had a ritual year and a solar Had a ritual year and a solar year.year.

• Ritual year had 260 daysRitual year had 260 days• Solar year had 365 daysSolar year had 365 days• The calendars would The calendars would

synchronize together in 52 synchronize together in 52 year cycles.year cycles.

• Aztecs believed the world Aztecs believed the world could end every 52 years so could end every 52 years so they had elaborate they had elaborate ceremonies at the end of ceremonies at the end of each 52 years to mourn the each 52 years to mourn the death of the world.death of the world.