Macuil-Tochtli
Encyclopedia
Macuiltochtli is one of the five deities from Aztec
and other central Mexican pre-Columbian
mythological traditions who, known collectively as the Ahuiateteo, symbolized excess, over-indulgence and the attendant punishments and consequences thereof.
Macuiltochtli and the other Ahuiateteo —Macuilxochitl ("5 flower"), Macuilcuetzpalin ("5 lizard"), Macuilcozcacuahtli ("5 vulture"), and Macuilmalinalli ("5 grass")— bore the names of specific days in the tonalpohualli
(Aztec/central Mexican version of the Mesoamerican 260-day calendar), where the day coefficient (trecena
) of five had overtones associated with excess and loss of control. Postclassic central Mexican traditions identified rabbit
s with the beverage pulque
and insobriety, and by extension Macuiltochtli had a particular association with inebriation and excessive consumption.
Macuiltochtli was also part of the of Centzon Totochtin
, the four hundred rabbit
s which were all gods of drunkenness.
Aztec
The Aztec people were certain ethnic groups of central Mexico, particularly those groups who spoke the Nahuatl language and who dominated large parts of Mesoamerica in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, a period referred to as the late post-classic period in Mesoamerican chronology.Aztec is the...
and other central Mexican pre-Columbian
Pre-Columbian
The pre-Columbian era incorporates all period subdivisions in the history and prehistory of the Americas before the appearance of significant European influences on the American continents, spanning the time of the original settlement in the Upper Paleolithic period to European colonization during...
mythological traditions who, known collectively as the Ahuiateteo, symbolized excess, over-indulgence and the attendant punishments and consequences thereof.
Macuiltochtli and the other Ahuiateteo —Macuilxochitl ("5 flower"), Macuilcuetzpalin ("5 lizard"), Macuilcozcacuahtli ("5 vulture"), and Macuilmalinalli ("5 grass")— bore the names of specific days in the tonalpohualli
Tonalpohualli
The tonalpohualli, a Nahuatl word meaning "count of days", is a 260-day sacred period in use in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, especially among the Aztecs. This calendrical period is neither solar nor lunar, but rather consists of 20 trecena, or 13-day periods...
(Aztec/central Mexican version of the Mesoamerican 260-day calendar), where the day coefficient (trecena
Trecena
A trecena is a 13-day period used in pre-Columbian Mesoamerican calendars. The 260-day calendar was divided into 20 trecenas. Trecena is derived from the Spanish chroniclers and translates to 'a group of thirteen' in the same way that a dozen relates to the number twelve...
) of five had overtones associated with excess and loss of control. Postclassic central Mexican traditions identified rabbit
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
s with the beverage pulque
Pulque
Pulque, or octli, is a milk-colored, somewhat viscous alcoholic beverage made from the fermented sap of the maguey plant, and is a traditional native beverage of Mexico. The drink’s history extends far back into the Mesoamerican period, when it was considered sacred, and its use was limited to...
and insobriety, and by extension Macuiltochtli had a particular association with inebriation and excessive consumption.
Macuiltochtli was also part of the of Centzon Totochtin
Centzon Totochtin
In Aztec mythology, the Centzon Totochtin are a group of deities who meet for frequent parties; they are divine rabbits, and the gods of drunkenness. Some of their named members include Tepoztecatl, Texcatzonatl, Colhuatzincatl Macuiltochtli and Ometotchtli...
, the four hundred rabbit
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
s which were all gods of drunkenness.
See also
- OmetotchtliOmetotchtliIn Aztec mythology, Ometochtli is the collective or generic name of various individual deities and supernatural figures associated with pulque , an alcoholic beverage derived from the fermented sap of the maguey plant...
, Two Rabbit, master of the Centzon Totochtin - MayáhuelMayahuelMayahuel is the female divinity associated with the maguey plant among cultures of central Mexico in the Postclassic era of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican chronology, and in particular of the Aztec cultures...
, foremost of the Pulque Gods - TepoztécatlTepoztecatlIn Aztec mythology, Tepoztecatl was the god of pulque, of drunkenness and fertility. The deity was also known by his calendrical name, Ometochtli...
, a Pulque god associated with TepoztlánTepoztlánTepoztlán is a town in the Mexican state of Morelos. It is located at in the heart of the Tepoztlán Valley. The town serves as the seat of government for the municipality of the same name. The town had a population of 14,130 inhabitants, while the municipality reported 41,629 inhabitants in the... - PulquePulquePulque, or octli, is a milk-colored, somewhat viscous alcoholic beverage made from the fermented sap of the maguey plant, and is a traditional native beverage of Mexico. The drink’s history extends far back into the Mesoamerican period, when it was considered sacred, and its use was limited to...
- Aztec mythologyAztec mythologyThe aztec civilization recognized a polytheistic mythology, which contained the many deities and supernatural creatures from their religious beliefs. "orlando"- History :...