1. The Aztec
The Relationship of the Human Body
and the Cosmos

2. Cosmovision
• All life is integrated around a sacred center
– Sacred Tree/Sacred Mountain
• World health was connected to the correct
circulation of energies
– Rituals at the center.

3. Aztec Understanding of a Human
Being
• Divided into 3 realms
– Above, middle, below
– Similar to the cosmos

4. Head
• In the head resides Tonalli
– Animating principle of the sun
– Tonalli means day
• Entered the body through fontanel (third eye)
at birth
– Source of intelligence

5. Heart
• Associated with the heavens and earth
– teyolia--container of vigor and energy--blood--
vital fluid
• Site of memory and knowledge
– Source of power to divine fates

6. Liver
• Connected with the underworld and the
dead
– earth energies
• Connected with emotions and bravery
– Also a source for disease

7. Unity of Time and Space
• 3 calendars
– Year, Agricultural and
Divinitory
• Fervary Mayer
– 8 directions, blood
flowing to body parts
• Tonalpohualli-Day
Count
– Divintory calendar
– 260 days

8. Tenochtitlan

9. Ceremonial Center

10. Templo Mayor--Altepetl (Water
Mountain)

11. Coyolxauhqui--Moon Goddess

12. Coatlicue and Huitzilopochtli
• Coatlicue (Serpent
Skirt)
– Earth Mother
• Huitzilopochtli
– Solar Deity
• Nextlahualli--Blood
Sacrifice
– Payment of Debt

13. Tlaloc and the Valley of Mexico
• Tlaloc--”he who is the
embodiment of the
land”
• Tlalocan--the home of
Tlaloc located in the
underworld

14. Atlcahualo--Drought
• First Month
– Before rainy season
(12 February)
• Child Sacrifice
• Ritual map of Valley
of Mexico

15. Eating Landscape
• Earth was Tlaloc’s
body, sites of sacrifice
were his mouths
– Demand was for human
blood in exchange for
water
– Fruits of human body
(children) were exchanged
for fruits of the earth
(agricultural products)
– Sacrifice--”payment of
debt”