One of the oldest religions in Mesoamerica is the Aztec. For sunrise, the Aztec gods face opposite directions. Quetzalcoatl looks east. The Sun rises from east and sways side to side. Ecatl, the wind god is honored with a large sacrifice each morning. The wind god Ecatl then blows the sun into action after the enormous sacrifice.
Mesoamerican religion of the ancient Mesoamericans
Ancient Mesoamerican religion emphasized the centrality of gods in every day life. Regular rituals included offering sacrifices of human beings as well as various offerings. These societies had a complex priestly hierarchy. The architectural pattern for building temples was the same, with pyramids on top that were truncated and containing sanctuaries. The religion included a shared view of the world and the use symetric symbols.
Gods
Aztec gods are often depicted in a variety of creatures, each with a specific function. While many were revered and fearful for their violent nature, others had more positive and encouraging attributes. For example, Mictlantecuhtli was the Aztec god of death. The Aztecs believed that she went to the underworld as a result of being sacrificed as child. Miclantecuhtl, another Aztec God of Death, was her bride. Mictlantecuhtli displayed a graphic appearance. She had a large mouth, and a necklace with eyeballs.
Sacrifices
Sacrifices were an important part in Aztec religion. They were used to gain status in society, as well as a source of income. Human sacrifices were an essential part of the Aztec religion, which relied on tributes from conquered regions. People who proved their worth by being the best warriors earned a higher rank and a better place in society. They were also given special clothes and weapons by the Emperor. The entire Aztec society was aware of these rewards.
Sacred fire
Aztec religion valued sacred fire. They believed that the world was composed of three levels, which included the underworld and the earth as well as the heavens. The Templo Mayor (Temple of the Mayor), the centre of this system, connected the three realms. The heavenly realm was the realm of the gods, and the underworld was the world of humans.
Tlaloc
The Aztec religion has many representations of the god Tlaloc. These representations of the rain god may not be consistent. Tlaloc is often shown in many forms and places, including caves and mountains. Tlaloc is sometimes shown with various items which represent the fertility on the earth. Tlaloc might also be associated with land animals in some depictions, such as a jaguar.
Quetzalcoatl
Quetzalcoatl is the Aztec god. There are many myths about him. One myth depicts the serpent-headed god as being the ruler of Tollan, a myth most people are familiar with. However, there is much disagreement about the historical accuracy of the myths. Some historians actually question the historical accuracy a lot of Quetzalcoatl myths.