description Coatlicue Overview
Coatlicue is a major earth and mother goddess in Aztec mythology, recognized as the mother of the war god Huitzilopochtli. Her name translates to "Serpent Skirt" in Nahuatl, reflecting her famous monumental statue where she wears a skirt of writhing serpents and a necklace of human hearts, hands, and skulls. This striking iconography represents the dual nature of the earth as both a life-giving mother and a consumer of the dead, embodying the continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Her mythology is central to the Aztec understanding of agricultural fertility and cosmic sacrifice.
help Coatlicue FAQ
What does the name Coatlicue mean in Nahuatl?
The name Coatlicue translates to 'Serpent Skirt' in the Nahuatl language. This name directly reflects her iconic visual representation in Aztec art, where she is adorned with a skirt made of writhing serpents.
Who is Coatlicue's most famous offspring in Aztec mythology?
Coatlicue is a major earth and mother goddess recognized as the mother of Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec god of war and the sun. Her pregnancy with him led to a mythological battle involving her daughter Coyolxauhqui.
What does the famous statue of Coatlicue look like?
Her famous monumental statue portrays her wearing a skirt of serpents and a necklace composed of human hearts, hands, and skulls. The statue, discovered in 1790 in Mexico City, is one of the most recognized pieces of Aztec sculpture.
How did Coatlicue die in Aztec mythology?
According to myth, Coatlicue was murdered by her daughter Coyolxauhqui and her other children, the Centzon Huitznahuas (the southern stars), who were ashamed of her mysterious pregnancy. However, the unborn war god Huitzilopochtli emerged fully armed from her womb to defeat them and avenge her.
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