The Aztec civilization flourished in central Mexico between the 14th and 16th centuries. They were renowned for their impressive architecture, complex calendar systems, and rich mythology. Symbols played an important role in Aztec culture and many of their motifs continue to represent Mexico today.
The Aztec Calendar Stone
One of the most iconic Aztec symbols is the massive basalt sculpture known as the Aztec Calendar Stone or Sun Stone. This 12-foot wide stone portrays the 5 eras of Aztec cosmology encircling the face of the sun god Tonatiuh. It was likely carved in the early 16th century, shortly before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. The stone was discovered buried in Mexico City in 1790 during repairs on the Plaza Mayor. Today, the iconic sculpture is on display in the National Anthropology Museum in Mexico City.
The Calendar Stone has become a national symbol of Mexico, representing the sophisticated astronomy and cosmology of the Aztec civilization. The carved motifs symbolize the cyclical nature of time and the importance of rituals and ceremony in Aztec society. Each era is associated with a cardinal direction and certain deities. The central face of Tonatiuh represents the fifth sun of the current epoch. This stone epitomizes the Aztec genius for astronomy and recreating cosmic order through art and architecture.
The Eagle and Snake
Another prominent Aztec symbol in Mexican iconography is the eagle clutching a snake in its talons. According to Aztec legend, this symbol indicates the place where the Aztecs settled after leaving their homeland of Aztlan. Their priests had told them to search for a location where they saw an eagle eating a snake, which occurred on a small island in Lake Texcoco. This sign from their patron god Huitzilopochtli is what led them to build their capital city Tenochtitlan at that location in 1325 CE. The city grew into a sprawling metropolis and the heart of the Aztec empire by the early 16th century.
Today, the eagle and snake emblem represents the founding myth of Tenochtitlan and appears on the Mexican flag. The emblem shows an eagle standing on a cactus plant,mouth open with a snake in its beak. The snake represents the god Quetzalcoatl, whom the Aztecs revered. The eagle symbolizes Huitzilopochtli, the warrior sun god who guided them to the site of their capital. The cactus represents the island where they saw this mystical sign and founded Tenochtitlan. The emblem thus encapsulates key elements of Aztec history, cosmology, and identity.
Temple Design
The architecture of the Aztecs also developed distinctive symbolic motifs. Their temples (teocallis) were typically step pyramids with twin staircases leading up to an altar platform. The staircase symbolized ascent from the underworld and the temple itself represented a stylized mountain where the gods resided. Aztec temples were decorated with carved serpents, eagles, skulls, and geometric patterns that held religious significance.
One example is the feathered serpent motif symbolizing Quetzalcoatl – the god of wind, learning, and the planet Venus. Aztec artisans carved feathered serpents along the balustrades of temple staircases. The undulating bodies symbolized the transition between the earthly and spiritual realms. The Quetzalcoatl motif communicated this deity’s primary attributes and sphere of influence. Other common decorative motifs included Tlaloc imagery, the god of rain and lightning.
The remains of the Templo Mayor in Mexico City have carved serpents along the balustrades and facade. The style and symbolism of this temple have become iconic of Aztec architecture. Reconstructions of Aztec temples continue to utilize these decorative details to evoke the cosmology of the Mesoamerican civilization.
Tlaloc Imagery
Tlaloc was one of the most important Aztec deities, representing water, rainfall, and fertility. He was strongly associated with mountains which were seen as the source of water. Tlaloc imagery is ubiquitous in Aztec art and architecture. It is characterized by goggle eyes, fangs, and a sign for mountains or clouds on the forehead.
Tlaloc often had striking blue or green skin symbolic of water and vegetation. His eyes represented springs, his teeth evoked hail, and his eyebrows symbolized lightning. Tlaloc imagery reinforced his role as the bringer of rains necessary for agriculture. Aztec rituals and human sacrifices were routinely performed to appease Tlaloc and guarantee ample rains. Even today, Tlaloc remains an important folkloric figure among rural agricultural communities in Mexico.
Xochipilli
Xochipilli was the Aztec god of art, games, beauty, dance, flowers, and song. He was the patron of artists and craftsmen, overseeing creative endeavors. Xochipilli is often depicted as a young man adorned with flowers and flower motifs. His symbols include masks, butterflies, dreams, and hallucinogenic plants. Xochipilli sculpture and figurines were buried by craftsmen to consecrate their worksites. His imagery signifies the fertility of creative imagination and expression.
Today, Xochipilli is considered the archetype of the “ecstatic”, representing the spontaneous creative impulse. His flower-filled image evokes unfolding beauty, poetry, and mystical experience. The god Xochipilli continues to symbolize the flourishing of art, beauty, and inspiration in Mexican culture.
The Aztec Deities
There were over 200 deities in the Aztec pantheon, each associated with different aspects of life and nature. Major gods included Quetzalcoatl, Tlaloc, Huitzilopochtli, and Tezcatlipoca among others. Each deity had their own set of symbols, imagery, and sacred attributes. The main Aztec gods are:
| Deity | Domain | Attributes | Symbol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quetzalcoatl | Wisdom, wind, fertility, dawn | Feathered serpent, conch shell, Venus | Feathered serpent |
| Tlaloc | Rain, lightning, thunder | Goggle eyes, fangs, rain drops | Storm clouds, lightening |
| Huitzilopochtli | Sun, war, human sacrifice | Obsidian knives, shields, fire serpents | Eagle or hummingbird |
| Tezcatlipoca | Night, sorcery, destiny | Smoking mirror, jaguar, obsidian | Smoking mirror |
This pantheon of deities with their symbolic associations gave religious meaning to every aspect of the natural world and human existence in the Aztec belief system.
Conclusion
The Aztec civilization developed a sophisticated iconography to represent their gods, myths, rituals, and cosmic views. Motifs like the calendar stone, eagle and snake, and images of deities like Quetzalcoatl and Tlaloc became symbolic shorthand embedded with religious meaning. Even after the Aztec empire fell to the Spanish conquistadors, these symbols persisted in Mexican art and culture.
The Aztec icons communicate core myths of identity and foundation as well as the Mesoamerican worldview. They demonstrate the Aztec genius for astronomy, architecture, and visual arts. The feathered serpent, the eagle warrior, and deities like Xochipilli continue to represent essential aspects of Mexican culture and history. These Aztec symbols have become an immortal legacy celebrated by modern Mexicans as part of their national heritage.