Mystical place where the bird of heavenly light overcame the forces of the transient world. According to legend, the goal of their long search was a sign given to the priests by Huitzilopochtli – to find a white eagle holding a snake in its beak on a nopal cactus in the middle of a lake. The priests found this sign on a stone islet in Lake Texcoco in 1325.
Chicomoztoc – the Place of Seven Caves. Ancient chronicles of the Nahua people speak of the Aztecs as one of the seven tribes that set out from the Place of Seven Caves, which some authors consider as just another metaphorical name for the island of Aztlán.
The Spanish conquerors and chroniclers were left breathless when they first encountered the magnificent civilization and way of life so different from what they were accustomed to. However, that did not stop them from brutally leveling everything to the ground. Those who participated in the conquest were not scholars, artists, or people with noble intentions, but mostly simple and greedy hunters.
to the treasure. Only a few years later, certain missionaries and explorers will come to the ruined Empire, striving to save the remaining cultural treasures and record the teachings of the surviving sages and priests… And centuries will pass before the astonishing and valuable works of Aztec art, science, religion, and philosophy return to the public eye.
Distant Origins
The fate of almost all peoples of the world, including the Aztecs, is that the complete story of the distant origins, the reasons for embarking on an uncertain journey, the years of wandering, and why they stopped and settled in their current place may have been lost forever. Perhaps the history of the arrival of a people cannot be preserved, at least not in the way we usually understand events in time, just as we cannot preserve many things from our own lives from oblivion. And yet, we have often witnessed how good it can be to forget certain things or to condense them into useful experience and simply move on. Furthermore.
A similar key can be used here as well, if we understand that important collective experiences and teachings of a nation have remained in so-called legends and stories, although they often appear deeply hidden and incomprehensible. Therefore, it is necessary to give a certain importance to the mythical part of the Aztec journey, no less than the listing of often capricious and unreliable years and facts, because perhaps there is much more hidden in the “unreal” and “impossible” stories than we can currently see or admit.
Seven caves, which some authors consider as just another metaphorical name for the island of Aztlán. These legends of their distant origins are connected by some authors to the mythical Atlantis, which is strongly present in the legends and myths of many spatially and temporally distant peoples. Similarly, the similarity of the names Azteca (People of the White Herons) and Aztlán (Land of the White Herons) is not accidental. The ancient Aztec ancestors, after arriving on the northern shores of Central America, continued their journey further south, and three mysterious places or lands through which they passed are mentioned before the establishment of Teotihuacán:
And in a place called Tamoanchan,
there was a long-standing authority:
later, the authority moved
to a place called Xomiltepec
and there, in Xomiltepec,
the nobility, elders, priests gathered.
They said:
“The Lord of Proximity and Unity called us,
he called everyone who considers him a god.”
They said:
“Because we will not live here,
nor stay here,
let us search for land.
There we will encounter
the one who is Night and Wind,
the Lord of Proximity and Unity.” “they stayed in the archaeologically unidentified Tamoanchan for a long time, which has the symbolic meaning of the House of Descent/House of the West. Michael D. Coe, a globally recognized authority in this field, connects Tamoanchan with the mysterious Olmec civilization and emphasizes that the translation of its name in the Mayan language, still partially spoken on the east coast of the former Olmec homeland, has a more reliable meaning – Land of Rain or Mist. This would mean that the Olmecs, who disappeared from history several centuries before Christ, passed on a spiritual impulse to the growing Teotihuacan civilization, thereby nourishing future rich sources of Nahua culture. In Tamoanchan, the ancient place where the keys to secret wisdom were kept, four wise elders had to stay behind to gather and restore many valuable knowledge and ancient traditions, while the others continued their journey towards Teotihuacan. The chronicles state:”
“…the map of the island city from” The 15th century when the Aztec Empire was at its peak of glory. A carefully planned city network is visible, located in the middle of Lake Texcoco, with a central sacred core, a Tlatelolco market, embankments, and waterways…
– M. León-Portilla, Ancient Mexicans
Waiting for its historic moment, the Aztec people arrived centuries later as one of the young tribes descending from the north. At that time, the small people of unknown identity finally emerged in the 12th century in the heart of the Mexican highlands on the shores of Lake Texcoco after many years of wandering. Since the Aztecs indeed descended from the north for a part of their journey, many contemporary manuals offer the explanation that Aztlán is located in the north of America, with astonishing automatism. This intentionally or unintentionally omits an important, initial part of the journey, which, according to all indications, leads eastward to a lost island, a very real part of the tradition of these peoples.
Stories of Arrival
For numerous stories and poems about the search for Azt Beyond the land of Anahuac, a place within the circle or a place in the center, we can say that there are a kind of historical legends in which real events intertwine and combine with a whole series of unusual signs that were recognized and carefully followed by the Aztec sages and priests.
Their migration, it is said, was prompted by a bird that sang to them from a tree, saying “hajdemo”, which means “let’s go”. This bird is the embodiment of Huitzilopochtli himself, the god of hummingbirds, the protector of the Aztec people and their authentic deity that cannot be found in any other Mesoamerican culture. It has a very complex and deep symbolism, and it is believed to have a very ancient origin connected to the mysterious Aztlán.
Huitzilopochtli addressed them with the following words, as presented in the transcript of Mexican anthropologist Alfonso Casa:
Indeed, I will guide you where you must go. I will come in the form of a white eagle, and wherever you go, you will go with a song. You will only go where you see me, and when you reach I will land at the place that I find suitable for your stay, and there you will spot me. Therefore, you will build my temple, my house, and my grass bed there – where I will come to rest, calm and ready to fly. And at that place, the people will build their homes and their dwellings. Your first task will be to enhance the qualities of the eagle, the ocelot, the Holy War, the arrow, and the shield. You will be whatever you need to be. You will live in fear. Your bravery will be rewarded: you will conquer, destroy every village and hamlet you find there, whatever you see…
In these prophetic words, we already sense a vision of the role and glory of the Aztecs as a warrior and chosen people, with all the levels of meaning these concepts carry.
The Great Temple complex of Tlatelolco. Most Aztec “Great Temples” are dual – with a double staircase and two temples, as they are simultaneously dedicated to two gods: the main Aztec god Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc, the god of conquered peoples.
Following the instructions of their main deity During their migration, the Aztecs will also adopt the name Mexica, for which there is no reliable translation. According to some interpretations, it means “Those who eat cactus,” and it could also be translated as “Moon” or “navel.” They will use this name more frequently to refer to themselves, while the name Aztecs will be used more commonly again only from the 18th century, when historian Francisco Xavier Clavijero emphasized it in the context of the existence of the Aztec Empire.
Finally, after many arduous wanderings in which they were “rejected” and “persecuted,” but at the same time strengthened, the Mexica tribe will reach the borders of the Toltec lands. They will pass by Culiacán, an ancient city where the spirit of Toltec artists and masters inspired by the benevolent god Quetzalcoatl still flourished. Although they stayed here for some time, fascinated by the culture of this city, the time for rest had not yet come. With their radically different mentality, and particularly with their decadent sacrificial rituals, they provoked disgust and persecution. And so they were forced to continue their journey. Huitzilopochtli, who had always been with them, led them further and shortly afterwards showed their wise priests the designated place. Thus, in 1325, they finally saw the place of exceptional whiteness on a stony islet in Lake Texcoco and the divine symbol of an eagle on a cactus holding a snake in its beak.
Learning the warrior skills from their neighbors, adopting their culture and vibrant traditions of many peoples who came before them, the Aztecs began laying the foundations of their city near the cactus, the proud Tenochtitlán, sung about as the foundation of the sky. Half a century later, what is known as the Hundred Years of the Sun – the expansion of a mighty empire, the construction of temples, round sanctuaries, schools, palaces, markets, floating gardens, the cultivation of hundreds of flower species, the work in stone, work with metals and minerals, the making of shield-mosaics from feathers, the creation of thousands and thousands of painted codices in which tradition was preserved, especially their poetry, will begin… From the travels of the Aztecs from Aztlán to Tenochtitlán
Collection of Mexican Songs
The Miracle of Ascent
The first fifty years of life for an almost insignificant people on a small rocky island in a lake were far from easy, and there was no hint that it would become the center of a mighty empire. The island belonged to the Tepanecs, descendants of the inhabitants of Teotihuacán, who were no more hospitable than other indigenous peoples. However, the Aztecs had already hardened themselves against harsh circumstances and had no choice but to survive as vassal tribe of the Tepanecs. They stoically endured persecution, paid heavy tributes, learned war skills from their masters to participate in their conquests, and gradually the outlines of organized life began to appear. After being led by old wise priests-teomamis, “those who take on the obligations of the gods,” for several decades, they chose 1375 as their own The first ruler, Tlatoani Acamapichtli (Handful of arrows), was the son of the then ruler of Culhuacan. This was a strategic move to secure his future since his mother was of Aztec descent, while his father had Toltec origins. The persecutions continued, but the city slowly developed and expanded despite all the hardships. The second Aztec ruler, Huitzilihuitl (Feather of a hummingbird), chose the daughter of Tezozomoc, the ruler of Tepanec at that time, as his wife. Tezozomoc was more inclined towards the Aztecs than his predecessors. The son of Huitzilihuitl, Chimalpopoca (Speaking shield), who as a child frequently visited his grandfather Tezozomoc in the Tepanec capital of Azcapotzalco, later became the third Aztec ruler. This relatively peaceful period was used for the internal organization of the city and the establishment of a new religious system and traditions as a synthesis of Toltec and Aztec cultural heritage. Probably due to this close kinship and love for his grandson, Tezozomoc gradually eased the burden on the Aztecs. Once upon a time, the Tepanec dynasty reigned, but the death of its ruler around 1426 led to a turning point and redirected the course of future events. Tepanec throne was forcefully taken over by his son, Maxtlatzin, a tyrant who saw the Aztecs as enemies and recognized a good opportunity in the fact that the new Aztec ruler, Chimalpopoca, was still young and inexperienced. With the support of a faction of the Tepanec nobility, Maxtlatzin declared war on the Aztecs and imprisoned his own nephew, Chimalpopoca, leaving him to die of hunger in captivity. Despondency spread among the Aztec leadership, and the newly elected ruler, Itzcoatl (Obsidian snake), was in favor of surrendering and submitting to Lord Maxtlatzin. However, something quite unexpected happened. Encouraged by some unfathomable calling of destiny, a young nobleman named Tlacaelel boldly interrupted the desperate deliberations of the Aztec chiefs:
“What is this, fellow Mexicans? What are you doing? Have you lost your minds? Stop, let us propose some suggestions regarding…” of this demand. Can we really accept such cowardice and surrender to those from Azcapotzalco? And turning to the king, he said, “Lord, what is this? How can you allow such things? Speak with these people; find ways to defend our honor and not succumb to our enemies in such a shameful manner.”
Aztec rulers
After the victory in 1428, a very important period of establishing internal stability in the newly formed empire followed. Gifted Tlacaelel, as the main advisor to Itzcoatlu and later two other rulers, introduced a series of visionary reforms in the fields of politics, society, and religion. Although he had the opportunity to become a ruler himself, he never agreed to it, but it is said that “he truly commanded.” He divided the land and titles, created a new military organization, and introduced the so-called pochtece, long-distance traders who primarily provided valuable information. He founded the famous Triple Alliance with the rulers of Texcoco and Tlacopan, and initiated the idea of In the construction of a grand temple in honor of Huitzilopochtli, Tlacaelel was driven not only by the idea of future greatness and glory for the Aztecs, but also by his desire to deeply instill their historical role as the chosen people. In this sense, he restored and interpreted the ancient myth of the ages in his own way. However, his interpretation fundamentally deviated from the teachings that the wise men found in the myth.
Netzahualcóyotl, The Hungry Coyote (1402-1470). A great poet, sage, and ruler of Texcoco, one of the most important cultural centers of the Aztec Empire.
Tlacaelel interpreted this literally: in the Fifth Age, the peoples of the divine Teotihuacan and the mighty Toltecs fulfilled their special mission, but as long as this period lasts, the Aztecs, as their true successors, also need to fulfill their own historical task. Therefore, it is necessary to keep the Sun of Movement alive, which can only be achieved by providing it with the necessary life energy that comes from the heart of man, which is precious blood. That is why he introduced The so-called Flower Wars were warrior expeditions that served, among other things, to capture the highest enemy leaders in order to sacrifice them to the Sun, identified with Huitzilopochtli, their divine protector, with all due honors. This set a powerful direction to the concepts of war and warrior spirit, which Tlacaelel imbued with mysticism and an almost incomprehensible absence of fear of death.
Although this vision was implemented, it was never accepted in the circles of scholars and priests in this way. What is extremely unusual (and what is not emphasized in today’s textbooks and media, or even completely omitted) is that alongside this approach, a completely different idea developed in parallel, which significantly influenced many other important aspects of human activity, inspiring a creative spirit in everything: temples and schools were built, traditions were studied, ancient myths were recorded on illustrated codices, the words of the wise were remembered, and vibrant celebrations were held. Festivities, a thriving marketplace, multiple harvests were gathered from floating gardens each year, strict and fair laws were established, parents and teachers carefully raised and taught children… The stable cultural foundations of an empire grew steadfastly and confidently. From them naturally flowed numerous invigorating impulses, bringing incredible cheerfulness to everyday life.
Celebrations played an important role in Aztec society and were meticulously prepared. Ceremonies, rituals, and sacred games combined various artistic disciplines intertwined around the central mythical and religious message.
But we will not delve into the history of conquest here… Let us only emphasize that the two last Aztec rulers, Mutecuhzomin’s brother Cuauhtlahuac (Eagle over water) and his cousin Cuauhtemoc (Eagle descending; Setting Sun) bravely defended their people and their land until their ultimate downfall.