The Aztec civilization flourished in central Mexico between the 14th and 16th centuries CE. The Aztecs used a variety of symbols in their artwork, religion, and writing system that represented concepts important to their culture. Some key Aztec symbols and their meanings include:
Calendar Symbols
The Aztec calendar system was complex and incorporated multiple interlocking cycles of time. Specific symbols were used to represent key calendar elements:
| Symbol | Meaning |
| Sun Stone | The central calendar stone representing the 5 suns or eras |
| Xiuhuitzolli | Symbol for the 365-day solar year |
| Xihuitl | Symbol for the 360-day ritual year |
| Tochtli | Rabbit symbol for the 260-day divinatory calendar |
The interlocking of the ritual, solar, and divinatory calendars created a 52-year calendar round key to Aztec chronology. Specific days and dates had astrological significance.
Religious Symbols
Religion pervaded Aztec life and many symbols represented the complex Aztec pantheon of gods:
| Symbol | Meaning |
| Feathered Serpent | The god Quetzalcoatl |
| Skull and Crossbones | Mictlantecuhtli, god of the underworld |
| Sun and Triangle Eye | Huitzilopochtli, sun and war god |
| Rain and Lightning | Tlaloc, god of rain and lightning |
Other symbols like shells, butterflies, and jaguars represented transformation, spirituality, and power in the Aztec religion.
Writing Symbols
The Aztecs used logograms or word-signs in their writing system to represent whole words or phrases. Some examples include:
| Symbol | Meaning |
| Footprint | To walk or travel |
| Stone | Time or the calendrical system |
| Reed | Mat or woven item |
| Jaguar | Authority or ruler |
Logograms were combined with other phonetic symbols to convey more complex ideas and record the Nahuatl language. Scribes used this writing system to create Aztec codices.
Symbols of Power
The Aztec emperor and nobility used various symbols to represent their status and right to rule:
| Symbol | Meaning |
| Xicolli | Headdress symbolizing rulership |
| Atlatl | Spear thrower showing warrior status |
| Chimalli | Shield used to represent protection provided |
| Chalchihuitl | Jade jewel symbolizing wealth |
Only elites could wear the exotic feathers and luxurious garments represented in codices and artworks. Commoners had sumptuary laws dictating plain clothes.
Nature Symbols
The agricultural Aztecs used natural symbols to represent the lifecycles and fertility essential to their survival:
| Symbol | Meaning |
| Rain | Essential precipitation, renewal |
| Maize | Staple crop |
| Sun | Needed for growth |
| Earth | Fertility |
Agricultural rituals related to planting, harvesting, and thanking the gods for rain relied heavily on these symbols of nature.
Conclusion
Aztec symbols encapsulated complex cultural concepts relating to time, religion, language, power, and nature. Symbols allowed the conveyed of meaning across the vast Aztec Empire and survive today as a record of Mexico’s rich cultural heritage. Careful study of Aztec codices provides insight into how central and multifaceted symbols were in everyday life and rituals. The layering of calendar, religious, political and natural meanings shaped the Aztec worldview.
