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Which Aztec deities were associated with rain, corn, fertility, and war?
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Mythologies of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas
Haida argillite carving, c. 1890, depicting a folktale in which the Bear Mother endures a cesarean birth; in the National Museum of the American Indian, George Gustav Haye Center, Smithsonian Institution, New York City.
In Aztec mythology, various deities were revered for their roles in rain, corn, fertility, and war. These gods and goddesses were central to the agricultural and social life of the Aztec people.1
Rain and Water
- Tlaloc: The primary god of rain, lightning, and earthly fertility. While he provided life-giving rain, he was also feared for his ability to cause drought, storms, and specific illnesses.12
- Chalchiuhtlicue: Known as "She Who Wears a Jade Skirt," she was the goddess of freshwater lakes and streams, often associated with Tlaloc.12
Corn and Fertility
- Centéotl: The god of corn (maize), often considered the son of earth goddesses.1
- Chicomecóatl: A major goddess of sustenance and corn, frequently depicted holding double ears of corn.3
- Xochipilli: The god of flowers and fertility.1
- Coatlicue: A multifaceted earth goddess representing both creation and destruction; her fertility aspects were linked to her role as a mother figure.14
War
- Huitzilopochtli: The principal Aztec god of the sun and war. He was considered the "resuscitated warrior of the south" and required human sacrifice to sustain the sun.15
- Tezcatlipoca: The god of the night sky and the protector of young warriors.1