---
title: Xiuhtecuhtli: The Aztec God of Fire
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Xiuhtecuhtli/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2025-04-18
---
# Xiuhtecuhtli: The Aztec God of Fire
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
Xiuhtecuhtli or 'Turquoise Lord' was the [Aztec](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/) [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) of fire and also closely associated with young warriors and rulers. To the [Maya](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Maya/) he was known as Chac Xiutei. Xiuhtecuhtli was the patron of the day Atl (water) and the trecena period 1 Coatl (Snake). He was the 1st Aztec Lord of the Night and 1st of the Lords of the Day. His *nagual* or animal spirit was Xiuhcóatl or the Fire Serpent and his special number was three because in traditional Mesoamerican homes there were three hearths. In Mesoamerican [mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/mythology/) the fundamental element of fire was thought to run through the entire universe and wherever there was fire, so too was Xiuhtecuhtli.
The name of the god derives from the Nahuatl word for turquoise *xihuitl*, which also means 'year' suggesting the god also represented time. Xiuhtecuhtli was often identified or equated with the older god of fire Huehueteotl (usually portrayed in stark contrast to the youthful Xiuhtecuhtli as a wrinkled old man with no teeth) who was himself a possible reincarnation of the still older [Olmec](https://www.worldhistory.org/Olmec_Civilization/) God I. The equivalent fire deity for the Otomί was Otontecuhtli.
### Toxiuhmolpilia
One of Xiuhtecuhtli's most important roles was as overseer of the Toxiuhmolpilia festival or New Fire Ceremony (also called Binding of the Years). Held once every 52 years on the completion of one full cycle of the [Aztec calendar](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/896/the-aztec-calendar/) (*xiuhmolpilli*), the primary function of the festival was to ensure the successful renewal (or re-occurrence) of the sun.
During the festival all fires, from temples to household hearths, were symbolically extinguished and idols were cleansed with water, streets swept and old cooking implements and hearth stones thrown away. Then, atop Mt. Uixachtecatl (or Citlaltepec), near the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán, priests gathered at midnight and awaited a precise alignment of the stars. Only when the Tianquiztli (Pleiades) reached the zenith and the Yohualtecuhtli star shone brightly in the very centre of the sky was a sacrifice made to Xiuhtecuhtli by cutting out the heart of a sacrificial victim. Fire was then kindled inside the open chest cavity and if the fire lit successfully then all was well and the fire was taken to re-light all of the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/)'s fires. If the flame had not lit successfully then it was believed to signal the coming of terrible monsters, the Tzitzimime, who would roam the darkness eating all mankind.
[  Mask of Xiuhtecuhtli Trustees of the British Museum (Copyright) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2234/mask-of-xiuhtecuhtli/ "Mask of Xiuhtecuhtli")### Representations in Art
Living up to his name of Turquoise Lord, the god was very often represented in Mesoamerican art using turquoise [mosaic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mosaic/) and wearing his ruler's crown (*xiuhuitzolli*), in particular in the Late Postclassical period (from 1200 CE). Other common features are a *xiuhtototl* - the turquoise-coloured bird - hanging from his forehead, the *xiuhcoatl* fire serpent at his back and a butterfly-shaped pectoral, also in turquoise. These elements were also commonly seen in depictions of [Toltec](https://www.worldhistory.org/Toltec_Civilization/) warriors, reminders of the god's close association with that class. One of the most celebrated and striking representations of the god is the 14th century CE turquoise mosaic mask with conch shell eyes, now in the British Museum.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Almere Read, K. *Mesoamerican Mythology.* Oxford University Press, USA, 2002.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0195149092/)
- [Jones, D. *Mythology of Aztec & Maya.* Southwater, 2007.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1844763978/)
- [Miller, M.E. *The Art of Mesoamerica.* Thames & Hudson, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500204144/)
- [Miller, M.E. *The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya.* Thames & Hudson, 1993.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500050686/)
## About the Author
Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.
## Timeline
- **c. 1345 CE - 1521 CE**: The [Aztec civilization](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/) flourishes in Mesoamerica.
- **1351 CE**: New Fire Ceremony celebrated by the Aztecs.
- **1403 CE**: New Fire Ceremony celebrated by the Aztecs.
- **1455 CE**: New Fire Ceremony celebrated by the Aztecs.
- **1507 CE**: New Fire Ceremony celebrated by the Aztecs.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2013, August 22). Xiuhtecuhtli: The Aztec God of Fire. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Xiuhtecuhtli: The Aztec God of Fire." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 22, 2013. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Xiuhtecuhtli: The Aztec God of Fire." *World History Encyclopedia*, 22 Aug 2013, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 22 August 2013. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.