What was Coatlicue known for?

Coatlicue is known as the Aztec earth-mother goddess. She was also the patron of childbirth.

Why did the Aztecs worship Coatlicue?

The Aztecs worshipped Coatlicue as the earth-mother goddess who was also the mother of the major god of war, Huitzilopochtli.

How did the Aztecs honor Coatlicue?

The Aztecs honored Coatlicue by giving her human sacrifices in the spring ritual of Tozozontli in the rainy season and in the autumnal hunting festival of Quecholli. Statues of the goddess were also carved and set up at sacred sites

Coatlicue

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Definition

Coatlicue (pron. Co-at-li-cu-e) or 'Serpent Skirt' was a major deity in the Aztec pantheon and regarded as the earth-mother goddess. Coatlicue is represented as an old woman to symbolise the antiquity of earth worship. Coatlicue was the patron of childbirth and was associated with warfare, governance and agriculture. She was considered the female aspect of the primordial god Ometeotl.

More about: Coatlicue

Timeline

c. 1345 - 1521
The Aztec civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.