---
title: Xochipilli
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Xochipilli/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Xochipilli
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
Xochipilli or the 'Prince of Flowers' was the Mesoamerican [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) of summer, flowers, pleasure, love, dancing, painting, feasting, creativity and souls. He is a benevolent manifestation of Piltzintecuhtli, the young sun god who was himself a manifestation of [Tonatiuh](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tonatiuh/), the supreme sun god of Mesoamerica. The god is closely associated with the corn (maize) god Centéotl and was sometimes referred to as the 'Corn-flower Prince' or Centéotl-Xochipilli, the 7th Lord of the Day. For the Aztecs he could also appear as Ahuiatéotl, the god of voluptuousness and he was also associated with butterflies, poetry and the 11th of the 20 [Aztec](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/) days: Ozomatli (Monkey). He was considered one of the Ahuiateteo, the gods of excess, and for the [Zapotec](https://www.worldhistory.org/Zapotec_Civilization/) he was Quiabelagayo. Generally speaking, though, he was thought of as something of a youthful and care-free pleasure-seeker, perhaps with a playfully mischievous streak.
Xochipilli may have origins in the earlier Mesoamerican god worshipped at Teotihuacán during the Pre-Classic to Classic Period who is known simply as the Fat God. In Aztec [mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/mythology/) Xochipilli has two brothers Ixtlilton (the god of health, [medicine](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/medicine/) and dancing) and Macuilxóchitl (the god of games). As a group this good-time trio represented health, pleasure and happiness. The god also has a sister (or female counterpart), Xochiquetzal.
Particularly worshipped at Xochimilco, the most common offering to the god was corn and during his festivals, which were held in the early growing season and during Tecuilhuitontli (the 8th Aztec month), *pulque* (the alcoholic beverage made from the maguey or agave plant) was copiously drunk. Statues of the god were also frequently decked out with flowers and even butterflies.
Perhaps the most famous representation of the god in art is the Late Post-Classical Period (1450-1500 CE) statue, a masterpiece of Aztec [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/), now residing in the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico [City](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/). The statue is 1.2 metres high and has Xochipilli seated on a [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) platform (or perhaps a drum) which is decorated with butterflies, flowers and clusters of four dots representing the sun. Xochipilli is wearing a mask and is himself covered in flowers from psychotropic plants, hallucinogenic mushrooms and animal skins. Cross-legged and care-free the god is portrayed happily singing and playing his rattles, a vibrant symbol of all the good things in life.
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#### 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
- [Coe, M.D. *Mexico.* Thames & Hudson, 2013.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500290768/)
- [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/)
- Townsend R.F. *The Aztecs.* Thames & Hudson, London, 2009
## 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.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2013, September 06). Xochipilli. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Xochipilli." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 06, 2013. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Xochipilli." *World History Encyclopedia*, 06 Sep 2013, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 06 September 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.