Nahua religion/Mythology

 In the beginning there was Ometeotl, the dual god creator of the universe. Ometeotl split into man and woman, Ometecuhtli and Ometecihuatl. As man and woman they had four sons the Tezcatlipocas, Tezcatlipoca (black), Quetzalcoatl (white) Huitzilopochtli (blue), and Xipe-Totec (red).

       Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca decided to create the earth there is 23 levels of this universe ,13 levels above, and 9 levels below in the underworld, we are at the center/middle. Our earth was called Cipactli she was a primordial type of deity living in the waters of the universe, Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl killed her and used her planet sized corpse to create this world, Tezcatlipoca sacrificed his own leg (which he later replaced with an obsidian mirror and sometimes a snake) to bait and distract Cipactli with his blood and limb to help his brother deal the killing blow. Quetzalcoatl respected the sacrifice Tezcatlipoca had made to make this world a reality.

      After creating this world Tezcatlipoca became the first sun Nahui Ocelotl 

(Jaguar Sun)shining over the first race of people the giants, but his luminescence was too dark as the sun for Quetzalcoatl's liking. Quetzalcoatl overthrew him and Tezcatlipoca was infuriated so he destroyed the world and overthrew Quetzalcoatl, in some accounts he sent jaguars to destroy the race of people, or he did it himself as Tepeyollotl. Their brotherhood and rivalry was intense. There has been 5 suns in total Tezcatlipoca being the first Quetzalcoatl the second both of them having some type of influence over any that would come after them. This is an overview to understand creation as well as Tezcatlipoca's divine lineage so the rest will be delved into separately.

BACK TO TOP

       Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca decided to create the earth using Cipactli there is 23 levels of this universe ,13 levels above, and 9 levels below in the underworld, we are at the center/middle. Our earth was a primordial being called Cipactli she was a primordial type of deity living in the waters of the universe, Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl planned to kill her and used her planet sized corpse to create this world, she was immensely powerful more than expected so Tezcatlipoca the lord of warriors sacrificed his own leg (which he later replaced with an obsidian mirror and sometimes a snake) he cut it off to bait Cipactli he used his leg to distract her making an opening for Quetzalcoatl to kill Cipactli at the cost of his self-severed leg that was eaten by Cipactli they got the kill and the creation of this world. Quetzalcoatl respected the sacrifice Tezcatlipoca made to make this world a reality, they agreed to Tezcatlipoca being the first sun ("Nahui Ocelotl.")

 BACK TO TOP

After creating this world together with Quetzalcoatl by killing Cipactli, and sacrificing his own leg, Tezcatlipoca became the 1st sun "Nahui Ocelotl" he shone over the first race of people the giants which Quetzalcoatl had made using a mix of his own blood and worldly ingredients. In Quetzalcoatl's eyes Tezcatlipoca was too dark to be the sun. Quetzalcoatl overthrew Tezcatlipoca dethroning him from his place as the sun, 

Tezcatlipoca wanted vengeance and he got vengeance he destroyed the world for Quetzalcoatl's betrayal, killing all the first people(the giants), but the lord of rulers and jaguars didn't reclaim his place, by some accounts when Tezcatlipoca destroyed the world Quetzalcoatl took from him, he did it by sending jaguars to destroy the race of giants, or he did it himself as Tepeyollotl. Afterwards a new race of regular sized people were made by Quetzalcoatl from the bones of the people of the first sun using some blood of each of the Teteo (Gods) thus starting the era of "Nahui Ehecatl" the 2nd sun. Quetzalcoatl was the sun of this era. Tezcatlipoca turned the people reborn from bones and the blood of gods into monkeys to fuck with Quetzalcoatl, it worked and Quetzalcoatl ended Nahui Ehecatl using strong winds like a hurricane or tornado to blow the monkeys away.  After the fall of the 2nd sun Tlaloc was named the 3rd sun and Quetzalcoatl made a new more perfect race of humans using once again as main ingredient the bones of our ancestors (Worth noting the Mexica believed skulls were the seeds of life.) Their brotherhood and rivalry was intense. There's been 5 suns in total each being ruled by a different god each inhabited by our ancestors with Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl having influence over all of them. Tezcatlipoca being the first, Quetzalcoatl the second. Each of those two overthrowing the other at some point.

 Its not evil vs good its more a sibling rivalry or akin to Yin and Yang complementary opposites neither functioning without the other. 

I highly recommend reading the origin of the universe section at the top its a good overview of everything.

Their lordships overlapped in many areas its clear the Tezcatlipocas (Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca) were not necessarily gods of just one thing they were gods of all creation and some aspects stood out more than others.

Their brotherhood began the cycle of creation since without them creating the earth together then Quetzalcoatl's betrayal, Tezcatlipoca ending the first people, and the subsequent events of the 5 suns, going by the Mexica's beliefs we wouldn't exist as we're a result of all of that having had happened.

BACK TO TOP

 Omecihuatl the female half of Ometeotl after she had given birth to the 4 (Tezcatlipocas Huitzilopotchli, Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl, Xipe-Totec)  she gave birth to a Tecpatl a obsidian blade in this language. The Gods were concerned and threw it away it fell to Chicomoztoc a part of earth which translates to seven caves, upon falling into these seven caves the Tecpatl (Obsidian Blade) released 1600 gods and goddesses the Nauhtzonteteo they spread all over the earth, the sea, the underworld and the heavens. 

BACK TO TOP

 After creating this world together with Quetzalcoatl by killing Cipactli, and sacrificing his own leg, Tezcatlipoca became the 1st sun he shone over the first race of people the giants. Quetzalcoatl made the first people the giants, our ancestors (there's a few versions as to how, this is one of them:

 Quetzalcoatl and the Goddess Cihuacoatl his partner made the sacred mass of flesh from a mix of his blood and worldly ingredients, they mixed it together and from the flesh they made emerged four serpents,

 which fly towards the four directions.  They symbolize Life and Death as well as Wisdom and Vice For we are mortal,

 for we are by turns good, evil, foolish, and knowing. 

 From this mass Cihuacóatl will form the first people, and Quetzalcoatl will breathe into their nostrils, giving them life.) 

In Quetzalcoatl's eyes Tezcatlipoca was too dark to be the sun. Quetzalcoatl overthrew Tezcatlipoca dethroning him from his place as the sun Tezcatlipoca wanted vengeance and he got vengeance he destroyed the world for Quetzalcoatl's betrayal, killing all the first people Quetzalcoatl had created(the giants), but the lord of rulers and jaguars didn't reclaim his place, by some accounts when Tezcatlipoca destroyed the world Quetzalcoatl took from him, he did it by sending jaguars to destroy the race of giants, or he did it himself as Tepeyollotl. Afterwards a new race of regular sized people were made by Quetzalcoatl from the bones of the people of the first sun and the blood of the Teteo (Gods)

After the end of the first sun and the first people, a new race of regular sized people were made by Quetzalcoatl from the bones of the people of the first sun and the blood of the Teteo (Gods),  thus starting the era of "Nahui Ehecatl" the 2nd sun. Quetzalcoatl was the sun of this era. Tezcatlipoca turned the people reborn from bones and the blood of gods into monkeys to mess with Quetzalcoatl, it worked and Quetzalcoatl ended Nahui Ehecatl using strong winds like a hurricane or tornado to blow the monkeys away.

Tlaloc ruled over the third sun it's not clear how he got to be the 3rd sun. But he is very powerful throughout Mesoamerica and current day Mexico with Mexico, Teotihuacan, the Toltecs, the Aztecs(Mexica), and more cultures acknowledging his supreme power. This sun/era has a few versions of how it ended one is Tezcatlipoca seduced Tlaloc's wife most commonly Xochiquetzal or Chalchiuhtlicue in some sources he took her from Tlaloc (The 3rd Sun) his tears of grief caused the great flood its race of people at the time turning into fish leaving behind only Tata and Nene an elderly couple.  After all of this Tlaloc was in a rage and sent down rain of fire, any pleas were left unanswered he destroyed everything and ended his reign as the sun Nahui-Quiahuitl. The other gods made the world suitable for life again.

The other version of the 3rd sun's end also being destruction by rain of fire. 

In the other version It's said Tlaloc's wife manifested herself as Xiuhtecuhtli Lord of fire and that's how she defeated her husband Tlaloc for his mistreatment of her Chalchiuhtlicue became the 4th sun. The rain of fire caused people to flap and wail around like turkeys so they turned into fowls(turkeys).

 (Its worthy of Mentioning Tezcatlipoca had a Nahual form of a fowl Called Chalchiuhtotolin the blood jeweled fowl this is speculative but maybe there is something there that was lost to history) 

Chalchiuhtlicue the 4th sun, the female equivalent of Tlaloc. Goddess of water, fertility, and all that accompanies it holds a revered place in Nahua religion. Known as the goddess of water, giver of life, and the nurturer of crops, she was also the guardian of births and the protector of children. Her domains extended beyond the mere physical aspects of water to embody the spiritual purity and cleansing necessary for renewal and growth. As a deity, her influence was both vast and deeply personal, touching the lives of all who depended on water for their livelihood and sustenance.

(Going with the version were Tezcatlipoca seduced her, causing the undoing of Tlaloc,)Yet, it was Chalchiuhtlicue's very nature—her boundless compassion and inherent trust—that formed her tragic flaw. This flaw, while underscoring her benevolence, made her susceptible to manipulation. Her open-heartedness, typically a divine virtue, became a point of vulnerability that Tezcatlipoca, a deity known for his strategic cunning, exploited with devastating efficiency.

Chalchiuhtlicue's boundless compassion and inherent trust defined her divine persona. As the goddess of water and life, these traits made her deeply connected to the cycles of nature and human existence, fostering growth and renewal wherever her influence reached. However, these same virtues also became her greatest vulnerabilities. In a realm where divine politics often played out with strategic cunning, her openness and emotional availability exposed her to manipulation. Tezcatlipoca, known for his shrewdness and ability to exploit others' weaknesses, recognized this vulnerability as an opportunity.

Tezcatlipoca first charmed Chalchiuhtlicue, gaining her trust and affection, becoming her lover, effectively stealing her from Tlaloc causing him great pain enough for his tears to end the world and lose his position as the sun, Tezcatlipoca then twisted her perceptions to make her believe she would better serve the cosmos as the sun now that Tlaloc the 3rd sun wasn't there. Trusting his words, 

Chalchiuhtlicue became the 4th sun after causing Tlaloc's downward spiral, 

(I know of only two versions of her ascension one where she left for Tezcatlipoca. And the other where she herself in her lord of fire aspect let down the rain of fire unto the world punishing Tlaloc for his mistreatment of her and taking his place, the Tezcatlipoca version it does not portray her as the one in control inadvertently demeaning her stature, so don't forget she is more powerful than almost all the Gods. She is a nurturing, loving, trusting energy not necessarily known for cunning like the cunning that was used against her.)

 Tezcatlipoca manipulatively told the 4th sun she was selfish faking all the positive qualities and aspects about herself so that the people would love her because of her fake love (probably much more was said) but this broke her it was cruel and manipulative it was showing her he never loved her, the profound realization of the deceit he had inflicted and enabled her to do against her divine husband she cried blood for 52 years causing a great flood that 

ended her cycle as the sun,

 to recap she was married to Tlaloc the sun then she was manipulated by Tezcatlipoca he charmed her and they became lovers. He used the trust she gave and got it in her head she should be the sun after Tlaloc's downfall since she trusted him and possibly felt something for him she betrayed her husband to become the sun herself and be with Tezcatlipoca. Then after being mistreated, she finally saw her mistake and had the profound realization of the deceit and weight of her actions she flooded the world with her tears of blood for 52 years showcasing her immense power and grief. Despite being almighty and all powerful her emotions allowed her to be manipulated and that got the better of her all throughout her time as Tlaloc's wife and her time as the 4th sun, up until the flood with her tears of blood ended her reign as the sun.

(I believe her story with Tezcatlipoca and Tlaloc portrays the timeless narrative of a person leaving their lifelong partner for their lover then later regretting it when they realize its not what they wanted or the consequences are too severe it's happened for as long as its been able to happen it would be ideal if it didn't happen but life is life. And Chalchiuhtlicue and Tezcatlipoca's story reflects it.)

In the current era, known as the Fifth Sun, the gods had to select a new sun after the end of the Fourth Sun. They chose Tecuciztecatl, known for his supposed courage, strength, and bravery, over his brother Nanahuatzin, who was considered weak and cowardly.

On the day of the self-sacrifice, Tecuciztecatl repeatedly attempted to jump into the sacrificial flame but failed each time. It is said he tried four times, each failure deepening the gods' disappointment and disgust. Nanahuatzin, seeing his brother’s repeated failures, stepped forward fearlessly and threw himself into the flames, stunning the gods with his bravery. This act of courage led to Nanahuatzin becoming the Fifth Sun.

Inspired by his brother's sacrifice, Tecuciztecatl finally mustered the courage to follow and leaped into the flames. From these flames emerged two celestial bodies: Tonatiuh, the Fifth Sun, and another sun. However, Tecuciztecatl's delayed sacrifice angered the gods, and one god threw a rabbit at him, dimming his light and turning him into the moon. The rabbit's imprint can still be seen on the moon today.

However, this new sun, Nanahuatzin, required blood to continue moving. Because Nanahuatzin was not the initially chosen sun, he lacked the inherent strength to sustain himself. As he ceased to move, the earth burst into flames. The gods, realizing the direness of situation, asked Nanahuatzin why he did not move. He responded that he needed the sacred spiritual strength of their blood, their "teyolia," to gain the strength to move.
The Teteo willingly gathered, and Quetzalcoatl, the Lord of Creation, sacrificed Them, so that Their blood flowed into the heavens and nourished the new born sun. 

BACK TO TOP

In the time of the great flood when all humans turned into fish and the world destroyed by flood there was a elderly couple that survived and kept their humanity their names were Tata and Nene. Tata and Nene in most sources were devout and liked by the gods so they were given food (corn in most sources) and instructed by Tezcatlipoca on how much to eat and not be gluttons the food was limited, there wasn't any trees and no real way for them to hunt besides fishing. When he left they disregarded Tezcatlipoca the Smoking Mirror's instructions, they decided to fish and ate the fish that were once human. The smoke of the once human meat being cooked rose to the Teteo and reached Tezcatlipoca, he was angered by the cannibalism enacted by Tata and Nene so Tezcatlipoca cut off their heads and placed their heads on their rear end not killing them but turning them into dogs, keeping their human emotion showing that all dogs have the capacity of feeling every emotion we feel.

(In most sources it was Tezcatlipoca who warned them in others it was Tlaloc or Chalchiuhtlicue regardless of who warned them it was Tezcatlipoca who made them into dogs. 

In Mexica beliefs when we die our dogs are the ones who decide if we pass to the afterlife or remain trapped in purgatory for all eternity so be good to your dogs. They feel all that we do and we will see them again after death they will be the companion on your journey as well as the ultimate judge.)

BACK TO TOP

King Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl is a mix of history and mythology. He is often described as either the son of or the founder of the Toltec civilization and served as both its king and as the high priest of Quetzalcoatl. The name "Quetzalcoatl," he most likely adopted from the God Quetzalcoatl since he is his high priest, Ce Acatl means One Reed, and Topiltzin meant divine prince or just prince. 

"One Reed Prince Feathered Serpent" or "One Reed Prince Quetzalcoatl"

Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl was renowned for his progressive policies, particularly his opposition to human sacrifice. He advocated for the use of animal sacrifices and other offerings instead of humans, aiming to shift the cultural practices towards less violent rituals. His reforms (probably a more political reform) led to the opposition gaining strength, his reforms were not universally accepted within his society.

The main opposition to his reforms are portrayed as coming from followers of or the high priest of Tezcatlipoca, Tezcatlipoca being Quetzalcoatl's rival in Toltec religion. This opposition is often portrayed as a clash between two political, ideological, and religious factions within the Toltec elite. In legend, it is Tezcatlipoca himself disguised as a friend, foe, or a random, tricking King and high priest Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl into drunkenness with pulque, leading to public disgrace and humiliation.

After the incident with pulque Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl chose to exile himself he left towards the east. This event is legend saying he burned himself alive in shame, the legend says he is to return one day, which fed into prophecies and expectations of his return among later cultures, including the Aztecs(Mexica).

While the tales of Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl blend history with myth, the historical version likely points to a leader attempting to reform his society's religious practices and facing significant resistance. It seems they used Tezcatlipoca's place as Quetzalcoatl's opposite to gain support and overthrow the virtuous king. Over time, these events were mythologized, adding layers of divine intervention and prophecy that underscored his lasting influence in Mesoamerican culture.

BACK TO TOP

On the day Five Flower in the time of the 5th sun Tonatiuh, Tezcatlipoca approached Quetzalcoatl, saying:

"Wind, Sovereign Plumed Serpent, cross the sea to the House of the Sun. The Sun is accompanied by musicians and trumpeters who serve him and sing his glory. When you reach the sea’s edge, you will find my servants—Acatapachtli, Acihuatl, and Atlicipactli. Command them to form a bridge with their bodies so you can cross the sea and bring back the Sun’s musicians, for I want them to honor me."

Immediately, Quetzalcoatl set off for the sea. Once there, he called out the names of Tezcatlipoca's servants: "Acatapachtli! Acihuatl! Atlicipactli! Form a bridge so I may cross to the House of the Sun!" Without hesitation, they obeyed.

At Tlahuizlampa, the Place of Light and Illumination, with a thousand butterflies and hummingbirds fluttering around, Quetzalcoatl confronted Tonatiuh. He asked Tonatiuh to release his musicians, but Tonatiuh addressed them:

"Macuilxochitl, my faithful musicians, listen carefully. Beyond the sea is only misery and sadness. Do not respond to Him, for those who respond will have to leave my house of light forever."

Despite this, Quetzalcoatl sang out in a bright, clear voice, singing to the musicians to follow him. His song was sweet and melodious. Huehuecoyotl, the Old Coyote who dwelled in the Eastern Palace, joined in, and together they sang honeyed words about the earth.

Macuilxochitl, Five Flower, the Lord of music, dance, song, and games, could not resist. He and the musicians followed Quetzalcoatl and Huehuecoyotl across the swaying bridge, playing flutes, drums, and conch-shell trumpets.

Quetzalcoatl did not return to Mictlampa, the House of Death in the remote North where Tezcatlipoca reigns. He said,

"It isn’t right for Music to exist for Tezcatlipoca's pleasure alone in his realm of darkness. I will take them to Anáhuac, the Middle World, to sing the Teteo’s praises and uplift the Macehuales' hearts. Here, music will serve all creation."

When the musicians reached the shore of Anáhuac, the place of Flower and Song, Quetzalcoatl transformed them into the instruments they had played. Macuilxochitl and his servants became drums, rattles, conch-shell trumpets, ankle rattles, and wailing flutes. Quetzalcoatl presented these instruments to the Macehuales, our ancestors, teaching them their use. They played to uplift their hearts and pay homage to Ometeótl.

In the sounds of drums, flutes, and conch-shells, their prayers rose to the heavens and delighted the Teteo’s ears. In those divine instruments, they heard the voices of Macuilxochitl and his brothers and felt their sacrifice for the children of Anáhuac.

The misinterpreted or possibly reimagined version by a surviving follower of the Gods after the conquest of Mexico in 1521 goes:

In a time when the sun didnt want to share music because it would symbolize the start of the cycle, a loyal unnamed follower of Tezcatlipoca called to the Smoking Mirror pleading and looking for some type of salvation from the misery he and his people were experiencing. Tezcatlipoca answered his calls he beckoned him to the seashore, the loyal one neared the seashore and 3 forms appeared together telling him "Come here (name of the loyal one) for you are such a good friend of mine, I want you to go to the house of the sun and bring singers and instruments from there so you can make a feast for me in order for you to do so you will call the whale, the siren, and the turtle, who will make a bridge and help you cross over."

 Now Tezcatlipoca's loyal follower had the mission of bringing the singers and instruments back to this world he would also have the help of Ehecatl an aspect of Quetzalcoatl and the 3 helpers Tezcatlipoca granted him the siren, the whale, and the turtle would make the bridge when called.

 Tezcatlipoca's loyal unnamed servant called to the 3 helpers the siren, the whale, and the turtle they made the bridge, and the loyal follower accompanied by Quetzalcoatl in his Ehecatl (Wind God) form crossed the bridge. The sun however was selfish and did not want the music to be shared. When Ehecatl (Quetzalcoatl) and The loyal Follower of Tezcatlipoca neared the temple of the sun they saw the sun's orchestra it was made up of four different colors representing the four cardinal directions, the loyal servant of Tezcatlipoca was to sing to the orchestra to convince them to come with him, with his voice he sang a melodious song but they would not move for the sun had instructed them to ignore the song and voice Tezcatlipoca had blessed his loyal follower with. Yet the song's strength imbued with Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca's will proved stronger than the will of the sun. One by one the musicians along with their instruments came to this world accompanying Tezcatlipoca's loyal follower and Quetzalcoatl's wind god aspect. After they came back Ehecatl left the follower and the people had the feast in honor of the gods, they danced and celebrated with the music and instruments the gods had just blessed them with. 

(The other version is not much different only the unnamed follower didn't exist, it was only Ehecatl that had been sent by Tezcatlipoca the issue with that story is that it was told through a colonial lense of ignorance be it willing or nonwilling. For they thought Ehecatl was a follower of Tezcatlipoca describing him as being from Tezcatlipoca and referring to Ehecatl's face as armed with a bloody thorn, these discrepancies and the fact Ehecatl was an aspect of Quetzalcoatl throws the factual basis of it off, it has to be taken with nuance and understanding of context of the colonial mindset and the misunderstandings from someone who doesn't truly understand the culture and is writing it for someone else who speaks another language (Scribes and Indigenous people), the church instructed colonial perspective to be one sided it was to understand the indigenous cultures enough to convert them and convince them the old gods were demons. In that version since the suns orchestra wouldn't listen Ehecatl unleashed his wrath turning everything dark and into destructive winds as the wind god and eventually they did succumb and came with Ehecatl to this world. 

 It seems the original unbastardized version of the story was Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl planning the blessing of music together, and Quetzalcoatl acting on the idea they hatched. With the support of Tezcatlipoca Quetzalcoatl brough back music. That seems to be the real story as even with the interpreted version which is original because the reinterpretation I found this from had simply called Ehecatl a follower of Tezcatlipoca, so I just said they went together since that preserves the follower from 500 years ago's beautiful story but also shows Quetzalcoatl (Ehecatl) as being there.

This has 2 sources Histoire du Méchique by André Thévet (ascribed to the Franciscan Andrés de Olmos) and Historia Eclesiástica Indiana written in 1596 by Friar Gerónimo Mendieta.  They both tell the same tale. The Mexica (Aztecs) had buildings specifically made to house 1000s of books the codices before 1521 which there are only around 20 surviving today from the 1000s that they had stored.

 From the 20 that survive comes most of what is known about our ancestors. 

BACK TO TOP

There was once a hunter who killed far more than he needed. He gave no value to life or to the animals whose lives were taken so that he could eat. He hunted with no regard for nature. One day, after killing an entire herd of deer, he was taken by Tepeyollotl the heart of the mountain to the sacred mountain that Tepeyollotl guards. Inside this mountain, where all things unborn await their birth, the hunter found himself with a woman beside him. This woman was Tepeyollotl's daughter, whom Tepeyollotl had bestowed upon the hunter as his wife, commanding them to marry.

Every night, the hunter and Tepeyollotl's daughter made love, and every day she gave birth to a fawn, a baby deer. Only deer were born, for every night they created life, and by day it was birthed. The hunter realized that he could not kill his own children and thus learned the value of life. From then on, he only killed what was needed to survive, ensuring he never took more than what could be regenerated by the earth.

 BACK TO TOP

Centeotl Lord Maize (Lord of corn) had been sleeping since the beginning of time within a sacred mountain, when Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl lords of creation turned into a red and black ant entering the sacred mountain through one of its cracks. They went deep into the mountain and found the sleeping Centeotl. The Tlaloque the gods of rain carried Lord Centeotl's divine seeds across the four directions of the universe. Thats how corn was distributed to humanity by the gods. his being a giant step to the end of the hunter gatherer faze now they could move onto a farming culture.

BACK TO TOP

Coatlicue the Earth Goddess was once walking minding her business or sweeping in some sources, when a ball of feathers fell from the sky she curiously picked it up and was examining it when another god or gods disrupted her, being startled she panicked and hid the ball of feathers inside her clothes against her belly, when the other god/s left she went to take out the ball of feathers but it wasn't there she was confused but she eventually just left. The ball of feathers unbeknownst to her had been absorbed into her womb. After some time, she and the other gods realized she was pregnant, Coatlicue's children not knowing about the ball of feather being the cause were disgusted and disgraced at the thought of how she got pregnant as no one knew who the father was, led by Coyolxauhqui they schemed to kill their sacred mother they were going to murder her on a specific day. One of her sons (Quatlicac in the Florentine codex but going with the books vocabulary trend its most likely spelled Cuatlicac) warned his mother of what was to come, Coatlicue was afraid and Huitzilipotchli still in the womb sensed this and told her he would protect her. In the Florentine Codex- the translated passage goes "And her unborn child spoke to her, and he consoled her saying 'Don't be afraid because I know what I have to do.' upon hearing these words Coatlicue's heart calmed down, and her grief went away " On the day when Coatlicue and Huitzilipotchli were to die at the hands of her children and his siblings. The children of Coatlicue led by Coyolxauhqui advanced and as Coatlicue was about to be cut down and killed by Coyolxauhqui, Huitzilipotchli was born in full regalia he decapitated Coyolxauhqui cutting her into pieces and throwing her off the mountain as she fell all her limbs were broken and cut off in multiple places like at the elbows and knees, After killing her he killed all the rest who had tried to kill his Mother Coatlicue.

BACK TO TOP