---
title: Aztec New Fire Ceremony
author: Unknown Artist
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4554/aztec-new-fire-ceremony/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2024-12-04
---
# Aztec New Fire Ceremony
_Authored by Unknown Artist_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/4554.jpg)
## Image Caption
The lighting of fires during the [Aztec](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Civilization/) New Fire Ceremony of 1507, a ritual held every 52 years to ensure the continuation of the Sun. The priests carry fire bundles and wear turquoise masks in imitation of the fire [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) [Xiuhtecuhtli](https://www.worldhistory.org/Xiuhtecuhtli/), as do the [women](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/women/) and children at the bottom right. The figure at the top centre is the Aztec ruler [Montezuma](https://www.worldhistory.org/Montezuma/) II. *Codex Borbonicus*, Sheet 34, 16th century.
Palais Bourbon, [Paris](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/paris/).
## Cite This Work
### APA
Artist, U. (2016, February 15). Aztec New Fire Ceremony. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Artist, Unknown. "Aztec New Fire Ceremony." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 15, 2016. .
### MLA
Artist, Unknown. "Aztec New Fire Ceremony." *World History Encyclopedia*, 15 Feb 2016, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Codex_Borbonicus_(p._34).jpg) by [**Unknown Artist**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Codex_Borbonicus_(p._34).jpg). Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 15 February 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.