Gods of the Fifth Sun
The Aztec pantheon encompasses hundreds of deities, from primordial creators to nature spirits. These are the major gods who shaped Mexica civilization, receiving blood offerings at the Templo Mayor and guiding the empire from its mythical origins in Aztlan to its dominion over central Mexico.
Major Deities
The most powerful and widely worshipped gods of the Aztec world, each presiding over essential aspects of existence - from the sun's daily journey to the life-giving rains, from creation to destruction.
Quetzalcoatl
"Feathered Serpent"
God of Wind, Learning, and Creation
The plumed serpent who brought knowledge, the calendar, and maize to humanity. One of the four Tezcatlipocas, associated with Venus as the morning star.
Domains: Wind, Wisdom, Creation, Arts, Priesthood
Tezcatlipoca
"Smoking Mirror"
God of Night, Sorcery, and Fate
The supreme god of Aztec religion, lord of the night sky, jaguar, and obsidian. Patron of warriors, sorcerers, and rulers. Eternal rival of Quetzalcoatl.
Domains: Night, Destiny, Sorcery, Jaguars, War
Huitzilopochtli
"Hummingbird of the South"
God of War and the Sun
Patron deity of the Mexica people and god of war and sun. Born fully armed to defend his mother Coatlicue, he guided the Aztecs to found Tenochtitlan.
Domains: War, Sun, Sacrifice, Tribal Patron
Tlaloc
"He Who Makes Things Sprout"
God of Rain and Fertility
Ancient rain deity predating the Aztecs, dwelling atop mountains where clouds gather. Bringer of life-giving rain and devastating floods, ruler of Tlalocan paradise.
Domains: Rain, Fertility, Agriculture, Lightning
Coatlicue
"Serpent Skirt"
Earth Mother Goddess
Primordial earth mother who gave birth to the moon, stars, and Huitzilopochtli. Her terrifying visage represents both life-giving fertility and devouring death.
Domains: Earth, Fertility, Death, Creation
Understanding the Aztec Pantheon
Divine Duality
Aztec theology centers on the concept of Ometeotl ("Two-God"), a dual creative principle embodying male and female, light and dark, creation and destruction. All other gods emanate from this primordial duality, and many deities have dual or multiple aspects representing different manifestations of their power.
The Four Tezcatlipocas
The four sons of Ometeotl - Tezcatlipoca (Black), Quetzalcoatl (White), Huitzilopochtli (Blue), and Xipe Totec (Red) - represent the four cardinal directions and take turns ruling over cosmic ages. Their conflicts and cooperations drive the creation and destruction of worlds.
Sacrifice and Reciprocity
The Aztecs believed the gods sacrificed themselves to create the Fifth Sun and humanity. In return, humans owed a debt of blood (nextlahualli) to sustain the cosmos. This reciprocal relationship between humans and gods formed the foundation of Aztec religious practice, with human sacrifice as its most dramatic expression.