Mictlantecuhtli-god of the underworld

Corrine Evans, 3rd Period, 3-13-2012

Mictlantecuhtli The god Mictlantecuhtli is the Aztec god of the underworld.

The Background of Mictlantechutli

Mictlantechutli was a god of the dead and lord of Mictlan, the lowest section of the underworld.

He was one of the principal gods of the Aztecs and was the most prominent of several gods and goddesses of death and the underworld.

One version of Mictlantechutli sometimes involves ritual cannibalism, with human flesh being consumed in and around the temple.

Claim to Fame! Mictlantecuhtli was associated with

spiders, owls, bats, the eleventh hour, and the northern compass direction.

He was one of only a few deities held to govern over all three types of souls identified by the Aztecs, who distinguished between the souls of people who died normal deaths (old age, disease, etc.), heroic deaths (in battle, sacrifice, child birth), or non-heroic deaths.

HIS DOWNFALL Mictlantecuhtli didn’t have a downfall,

but he did cause other peoples downfall. He was involved in ritualized cannibalism.

Tales of Mictlantecuhtli

There is a band called Mictlantecuhtli, who play heavy metal.

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Citations