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A statue of the Aztec goddess, Mictecacihuatl, taken by Dennis Jarvis

Basic Information

In Aztec mythology, Mictēcacihuātl (Nahuatl pronunciation: [mik.teː.ka.ˈsí.waːt͡ɬ], literally "Lady of the Dead") is Queen of Mictlān, in the lowest level of the underworld, ruling over the afterlife with Mictlāntēcutli, another deity who is her husband. They both were worshipped across Mesoamerica had power over three types of souls that dwell in the Underworld: souls who had died either normally, heroically, or non-heroically.

Role

Her role is to watch over the bones of the dead and preside over the ancient festivals of the dead along with her husband. These festivals evolved from Aztec traditions into the modern Day of the Dead after synthesis with Spanish traditions. Her favorite flower, yellow cempasúchil (marigolds), are used during the holiday. She now presides over the contemporary festival as well.

Portrayal

She is known as the "Lady of the Dead", since it is believed that she was born, then sacrificed as an infant. Other names include Santa Muerte, Lady of the Dead, Goddess of the Underworld, Holy Death, and Our Lady of Flesh. Mictēcacihuātl was represented with a flayed body and with jaw agape to swallow the stars during the day. The Aztecs also depicted her with a skull face, a skirt created from serpents, and sagging breasts.

Mictēcacihuātl as depicted in the Codex Borgia

Notes[edit]

1. ^ Miller & Taube 1993, 2003, p.113.
2. ^ Fernández 1992, 1996, p.142.

See also[edit]

• Santa Muerte

References[edit]

• Bradshaw, C. (2017, November 7). Lady of the dead: Mictēcacihuātl. Brown & Hudson. https://www.brownandhudson.com/news/article/lady-of-the-dead-micteecacihuaatl
• Caguiat, Tara. “What You Need to Know About the Aztec Lady of Death.” ThisOldeThing.com, 23 Oct. 2019, thisoldething.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-aztec-lady-of-death/.
• Cline, Austin. "Mictecacihuatl: the Goddess of Death in Aztec Religious Mythology." Learn Religions, Aug. 27, 2020, learnreligions.com/mictecacihuatl-aztec-goddess-of-death-248587.
• Fernández, Adela (1996) [1992]. Dioses Prehispánicos de México [Prehispanic Gods of Mexico] (in Spanish). Mexico City: Panorama Editorial. ISBN 968-38-0306-7. OCLC 28801551.
• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mexico-3713 (5733403466).jpg
• Miller, Mary; Karl Taube (1993). An Illustrated Dictionary of the Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya London: Thames & Hudson. ISBN 0-500-27928-4. OCLC 59601185.