Anthropology-Tyler

The term Aztecs is not the correct term for these people. The correct term is Mexica. Mexica art was based on it's old culture, nature, mythology, and many other influences. Many materials used in the art were not native to the land most were bartered for.

The Aztecs had an interesting and unbelievable culture. From human sacrifices for the gods, to the amazing chinampas or artificial islands they created. The Aztecs lived on an island in Mexico were it was very hot and humid. The soil, however, was perfect for growing crops. Their water came from mountain springs because their lake water was generally salty. The Aztec’s mountains could serve as protection, because they could see everyone coming up the trails! There were two levels of social structure in the city. Of course the higher social structure was the higher social class, and the lower social structure was lower class.

Children sacrificed to water gods || Gladiatorial sacrifice; dances by priest wearing the flayed skin of victims || Flayed skins buried, child sacrifices || Blessing of new corn; maiden sacrificed || Impersonators of these major gods sacrificed || Impersonators of water deities sacrificed by drowning; ritual bathing and dances || Impersonators of the gods sacrificed; ceremony of salt workers || Feast for goddess of young corn, lords offer gifts and feast for commoners || All the gods festooned with garlands; feasting on corn-meal cakes and turkey || Hueymiccaihuitl (great feast of the dead) || Xiuhtecuhtli Ceremonial pole climbing competition Sacrifice to fire gods by roasting victims alive || Sweeping of house and roads; mock combat || Ceremonies welcoming gods returning to earth; ceremonial drunkenness, sacrifices by fire || Ceremonies for mountain rain gods; human sacrifices and ceremonial cannibalism || Ritualistic hunt following fast; sacrifice of game and ceremonial feasting || Homes and fruit trees decorated with paper banners; race-procession; massive sacrifices || Festival honoring water gods; children and slaves sacrificed || Sympathetic magic to bring rain; women beaten with straw-filled bags to make them cry || Image of god made from amaranth dough; feasting on tamales stuffed with greens ||
 * No. || Name of Month || Patron Gods and Rituals ||
 * I. || Atlacacauallo (ceasing of water) || Tlaloc, Chachihutlicue
 * II. || Tlacaxipehualiztli (flaying of men) || Xipe-Totec
 * III. || Tozoztontli (little vigil) || Coatlicue, Tlaloc
 * IV. || Hueytozoztli (great vigil) || Centeotl, Chicomecacoatl
 * V. || Toxcatl (dryness) || Tezcatlipoca, Huitzilopochtli
 * VI. || Etzalcualiztli (meal of maize & beans) || Tlaloques
 * VII. || Tecuilhuitontli (small feast of the lords) || Huixtocihuatl, Xochipilli
 * VIII. || Hueytecuihutli (great feast of the lords) || Xilonen
 * IX. || Tlaxochimaco (birth of flowers) || Huizilopochtli
 * X. || Xocotlhuetzin (fall of fruit)
 * XI. || Ochpaniztli (sweeping of the roads) || Tlazolteotl
 * XII. || Teoleco (return of the gods) || Tezcatlipoca
 * XIII. || Tepeihuitl (feast of the hills) || Tlaloc
 * XIV. || Quecholli (precious feather) || Mixcoatl-Camaxtli
 * XV. || Panquetzaliztli (raising of the banner) || Huitzilopochtli
 * XVI. || Atemoztli (water decends) || Tlaloc
 * XVII. || Tititl (stretching) || Llamatecuhtli
 * XVIII. || Izcalli (resuscitation) || Xiuhtecuhtli
 * || Nemontemi (empty days) || Five unlucky days; no rituals, general fasting ||



Snake - CoatlLizard - CuetzpallinHouse - CalliWind - EhecatlCrocodile - CipactliFlower - XochitlRain - QuiahuitlFlint - TecpatlMovement - OllinVulture - CozcacuauhtliEagle - CuauhtleJaguar - OcelotlCane - AcatlHerb - MalinalliMonkey - OzomatliHairless Dog - ItzquintliWater - AtlRabbit - TochtliDeer - MazatlSkull - Miquiztli Third Ring - Sun Rays - Chalchihuite Ornaments - Splashed Blood Symbols Outer Ring - Dedication Plate - Herbs with Buds - White Scrolls - Flame Sign - Xiucoatl's Tail []

Xiuhmolpilli commemorative sculpture marking the completion of the fifty-two-year cycle. Every 52 years the tonalpohualli and the xiuhpohualli calendars would align. This marked what was known as a Mesoamerican "century." Every one of these centuries was marked by xiuhmolpilli - Binding Up of the Years or the New Fire Ceremony. This was a festival that lasted 12 days and included fasting as a symbol of penitence. At the beginning of this festival all the lights in the city were extinguished - people let their hearth fires go out. Then on midnight of the 12th day of the festival, a prisoner was taken to the priest. The priest would watch in the night sky for the star of fire to reach the zenith. Once it did, the priest would remove the heart of this man, and replace it with a piece of wood, that was laid on a piece of turquoise. This is where the priest would start the new fire that would once again light the city.

Atole recipe


 * 1/3 cup masa harina blended with 1/4 cup warm water in blender
 * 3 cups water
 * 5 tablespoons brown sugar or piloncillo
 * 1 pinch of salt
 * 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick
 * 2 teaspoons vanilla or one one vanilla bean
 * 1/2 cup pureed fruit (optional)

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Aztec Hot Chocolate 
 * 2 cups [|skim milk]
 * 1 tablespoon [|sugar]  or 1 tablespoon [|Splenda sugar substitute]
 * 1 tablespoon [|honey]
 * 1 pinch <span style="color: #00709b; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">[|ground ginger]
 * <span class="value" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;">1 <span class="type" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;">pinch <span style="color: #00709b; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">[|ground cloves]
 * <span class="value" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;">1 <span class="type" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;">pinch <span class="name" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;">ground red pepper
 * <span class="value" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;">1/4 <span class="type" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;">cup <span class="name" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;">unsweetened cocoa
 * <span class="value" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;">1 <span class="type" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;">teaspoon <span style="color: #00709b; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">[|vanilla extract]
 * <span class="name" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;">whipped cream

Read more: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #003399; display: block; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">[|http://www.food.com/recipe/aztec-hot-chocolate-128495#ixzz1f2lxra9B]