Tezcatlipoca is a major deity in Mesoamerican mythology, revered across various ancient civilizations, including the Aztecs and Toltecs. Alongside his brother Quetzalcoatl, he is one of the creators of the world. Tezcatlipoca is not confined to a single culture but is a significant figure in the broader spectrum of Mexican spirituality and mythology.

Often regarded as a complex deity, Tezcatlipoca embodies multiple aspects, including creation and destruction, the night sky, conflict, and change. This multifaceted nature makes him one of the most intriguing gods in the Mesoamerican pantheon.

Tezcatlipoca’s name means "Smoking Mirror" in Nahuatl, referring to his association with obsidian mirrors, which were used in divination. He is often depicted with a black and yellow stripe across his face and sometimes with a missing foot, replaced by an obsidian mirror or a snake. This imagery represents his role as a god of sorcery, darkness, and the night sky.

Tezcatlipoca was central to many Mesoamerican rituals and myths. As a god of the night sky and ancestral memory, he played a crucial role in the spiritual lives of the Aztec people. His influence extended beyond the Aztecs to other Mesoamerican cultures, reflecting a shared spiritual heritage.

• Creation and Destruction: Tezcatlipoca was both a creator and a destroyer. In Aztec mythology, he was involved in the creation of the world and the first humans but also in their destruction during the various cosmic eras or suns.
• Conflict with Quetzalcoatl: He is often portrayed as a rival to Quetzalcoatl, another major deity. Their interactions represent the duality of creation and destruction, light and darkness, order and chaos.
• Role in Society: Tezcatlipoca was associated with rulership, divination, and the warrior ethos. He was considered a protector of slaves and a patron of young warriors.

Colonial powers attempted to demonize Tezcatlipoca to undermine his worship and tarnish his image, portraying him as a demonic figure to weaken the cultural integrity of the Aztecs. Despite these efforts, the resilience of indigenous spirituality allowed many aspects of his worship to survive, often syncretized with Christian symbols.

Tezcatlipoca’s legacy endures in modern Mexican culture and spirituality. His multifaceted nature and profound influence on Mesoamerican cosmology make him a fascinating subject for both scholars and those interested in indigenous traditions. His image and stories continue to inspire contemporary interpretations and cultural expressions, reflecting the enduring power of ancient Mesoamerican beliefs.

Tezcatlipoca is a major deity in Mesoamerican mythology, one of two creators of this world alongside his brother Quetzalcoatl. He's not just an Aztec or Toltec God; he's a Mexican God.  

Tezcatlipoca is often considered a complex deity with multiple aspects, including being the creator and destroyer, a god of the night sky, conflict, and change, etc. This complexity makes him one of the most intriguing gods in the Mesoamerican pantheon. The colonization of the Americas tried to demonize who he is to kill his worship and image. Essentially hurting the integrity of the Aztecs  by saying they follow demons. 

His name means "Smoking Mirror" in Nahuatl. This directly ties to obsidian mirrors used in rituals and as personal talismans. These mirrors were more than decorative; they were tools for worship and divination. 

The concept of the "Smoking Mirror" also extends to the idea that Tezcatlipoca could reveal hidden truths and provide insight into the future, making the obsidian mirrors powerful magical objects.

Tezcatlipoca had a strong following in what is now modern-day Mexico Evidence of Tezcatlipoca's worship has been found in most parts of Mexico, such as Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca, Veracruz, and even as far south as Guatemala. This indicates that his influence was widespread and not limited to specific regions or just the Aztec Empire.

Tezcatlipoca's worship predates the Aztecs and possibly the Toltecs. While concrete historical records are sparse, his concept predates these civilizations.  

Artifacts related to Tezcatlipoca have been found in archaeological sites predating the Aztec Empire, suggesting that his worship has origins in even older Mesoamerican cultures like the Olmecs.

Obsidian mirrors were not just ritual items but everyday accessories. People wore them, prayed to them, and believed they could convene with Tezcatlipoca and other gods as if they could see them and possibly respond to their prayer through these mirrors. There is an introspective nature to mirrors so it's fair to assume a portion of the people who used the obsidian mirrors took it as an introspective experience if they prayed to them.

Despite his significance, there's a disappointing lack of direct historical accounts mentioning Tezcatlipoca this is thought to be because of the Spanish inquisition were they killed worshippers, burned, and destroyed anything that related to what the Native people believed in. This has led to various theories and debates among scholars.  

The Codex Borgia, one of the few pre-Columbian codices to survive, contains several depictions of Tezcatlipoca. However, the codex is a ritual and divinatory document, not a historical text, leaving much about Tezcatlipoca still shrouded in mystery.

While Tezcatlipoca is most commonly associated with the Aztecs, evidence of his worship can be traced back to earlier Mesoamerican cultures. Archaeological finds have unearthed various artifacts related to the deity that predate the Aztec Empire.

For instance, some scholars suggest that the Olmecs, one of the earliest Mesoamerican civilizations, may have had a precursor to Tezcatlipoca. Obsidian mirrors and jaguar sculptures, both symbols closely associated with Tezcatlipoca, have been found in Olmec archaeological sites.

The Toltecs, another pre-Aztec civilization, also show evidence of Tezcatlipoca worship. The Toltec legend of Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl and his downfall explicitly mentions Tezcatlipoca.  Carvings and sculptures depicting a figure closely resembling Tezcatlipoca have been discovered in Toltec ruins, indicating his worship with the Toltecs whom the Aztecs looked at as their cultural predecessor citing them as being great and as worshipping Tezcatlipoca.

These artifacts not only extend the timeline of Tezcatlipoca's worship but also offer valuable insights into how perceptions of the deity may have evolved over time. They serve as a testament to Tezcatlipoca's enduring influence across different epochs and cultures in Mesoamerica.