

The name of any Aztec god is a double-edged sword. In the Name: What Does Huitzilopochtli Mean? Without his blessings, the Aztecs would lose in every war, and fallen warriors would crumble in shame, having done nothing for their empire.Īnd that is exactly why Huitzilopochtli was so important to his people and the strongest god in the Aztec pantheon he was the meaning of life. Without his heat and light, everything would be shrouded in obscurity. On top of this, it was because of him that life existed. In the minds of the believers, this statement was more than enough for them to ensure Huitzilopochtli remained nourished throughout his battle against evil. The fall of Huitzilopochtli would spell doom for the Aztec empire. Why is Huitzilopochtli Important to the Aztecs? In fact, the Aztecs believed that the day Huitzilopochtli fell would be the day the empire would end.Īnd that belief was held so strongly amongst the people that they were ready to do anything to appease their sun god, including the “art” of human sacrifice. Plus, he doesn’t like to laze around he is here for business.Īlmost all of Huitzilopochtli’s lifetime is about chasing away his 400 siblings (the stars in the sky) and existing defensively in the thin line between looming darkness and eternal night. Besides this, the hummingbird remains dominant across the universe in perpetuity, defending the Aztec empire from their celestial enemies, come hell or high water. He is considered the strongest because his only weakness is that he needs to be replenished every 52 years. It is, without a doubt, Huitzilopochtli. He is beyond all other Aztec gods, simply due to his flashy roles in keeping the empire alive. Since the Aztecs believed him to be such an important symbol of defense due to his origin myth, he is also one of the few making sure that life continues to persist for the Aztec empire.Īs a result, he needed to be constantly nourished and invoked through whatever means necessary. Huitzilopochtli, also known as the “Hummingbird” or “The Turquoise Prince,” was the primary sun god in Aztec tales, but his powers also tethered him to war, fury, stars, and human sacrifices. Myths featuring him (among other Aztec gods) generally include the Codex Zumarraga, Codex Florentine, Codex Ramirez, and the Codex Azcatitlan. He is deeply rooted in the foundations of the empire, culture, and the very core of their faith.

The reasons behind his dominance over the Aztec people were much justified.

Huitzilopochtli was also considered the patron god of Tenochtitlan, the capital city for all the Aztecs and one that holds much importance in the pages of history. Of all the Aztec gods, he was considered the most powerful simply because he controlled the most important elements in life. Huitzilopochtli was a major deity in the Aztec pantheon. Counterparts of Huitzilopochtli: Sun Gods from Around the World:.The Aztec Priesthood and Huitzilopochtli.The Spanish Invasion and Huitzilopochtli.Other Origin Stories of Huitzilopochtli.In the Name: What Does Huitzilopochtli Mean?.Why is Huitzilopochtli Important to the Aztecs?.
