The Aztecs

Aztec Art

http://infinity.cos.edu/art/strong/module/precol4/toaztec/

Aztec sculpture is oftentimes massively powerful. This 8 foot high stone work depicts Coatlicue (Serpent Skirt), an earth goddess who gave birth to the Aztec tribal deity, Huitzilopochtli. The pair of serpent heads rising above Coatlicue's body symbolize the blood that gushed forth when her daughter (the moon) and her sons (the stars) beheaded her, jealous of the new godly offspring in her womb.

The Aztecs worshipped numerous deities, most required sacrificial victims. Xipe Totec, the god of spring renewal, have been particularly fond of victims who were flayed alive. Habitually, priests would wear the skin of the victim until it rotted off; the emergence of the priest's body from the dried skin symbolized the birth of new maize.

The Aztec calendar set out the mathematical formulas according to which the whole universe was organized and which governed the actions of men and Gods alike. The calendar is actually two things. The Xiupohualli (count of days) and the Tonalpohualli (Count of Destiny). The calendar had to be consulted through the priests before doing any activity whether it was farming, warfare, religion or commerce.

Much of Aztec art revolves around the notions of sacrifice and the rebirth of natural forces. Heart containers were important part in their ceremonies; this is a sculpture of The Recumbent Jaguar. 

The Aztec Empire

The Aztecs Traditional Clothing