Xiuhtecuhtli the god Aztec of fire

Xiuhtecuhtli the god Aztec of fire

The Siu Coatl the fire serpent plays a significant role in Mexican culture Many exquisite stone sculptures of the serpent frequently appear in Mexican art in various media including the Codex It is used as a back ornament for the fire god Siu Tekutli and the Mexican guardian deity Huicillo Pochtli The serpent is often depicted in Mexican art and features all the elements of the siu coatl or fire serpent with a snake's head short clawed legs and a curved nose The tail of the figure bears the Mexican symbol of the year a triangle resembling the sun's rays and two intertwined trapezoids Most depict rattlesnakes intricately carved and intricately sculpted blend both realistic and mythical creatures.

This figure represents the Mexican fire god Siu Tekutli Siu Tekutli is typically naked except for a loincloth with eyes closed and only two teeth protruding from the corners of his mouth His headdress consists of a turban decorated with circles and bows made from pleated bark paper the amacuexpalli which is common among fertility deities Xiutecutli also appears in the Codex a folded book with his face painted in black and red and a fiery serpent as a decorative adornment on his back Cults of the fire god predate the Mexican era and are also attributed to the ancient god Veveteotl known as this god In mythology this fire god also possesses watery qualities residing in a turquoise stone cage strengthening himself with the water of the turquoise bird The concept of the god of the year stems from the Aztec belief that Xiuhtecuhtli was the North Star

statue of xiuhtecuhtli the aztec god of fire

Star's visit to LACMA Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Stone sculptures of Xiutecutli were buried as ritual offerings and several smaller statues have been excavated in the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan Xiutecutli also resembles turquoise fire and time This pose is common in Mexican sculptures depicting deities such as Tlaloc Macuil Xochitli-Xochitli Pilli Quetzalcoatl or Mictlán Tekutli This sculpture was among a collection of antiquities taken to Spain after Mexico gained independence in 1821 It was later purchased by John Wetherell and illustrated in his catalogue published in 1842 The British Museum acquired the entire Wetherell collection in 1849 In ancient inscriptions a small figure representing the god is depicted in this pose within a temple receiving offerings reflecting his various natures and dwellings in the three parts of the universe He is the god of volcanoes.