La creación del Quinto Sol y Xipe Tótec

Summary

In ancient times, the gods gathered in Teotihuacán to decide who would light the world. Nanahuatzin, a small, sick god, volunteered and bravely sacrificed himself to enter the divine fire, becoming the sun. After a long wait, the sun and moon emerged, initially shining with equal brightness. To reduce the sun's intensity, a rabbit was thrown at it, creating the moon's face. The gods' sacrifices continued as the sun and moon began their eternal journey across the sky, with the gods of the wind and the Miniscoa tasked with maintaining balance through their actions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The gods gathered at Teotihuacán to decide who would illuminate the world.
• 😀 The god Nanahuatzin, despite being small and sick, volunteered to light the world.
• 😀 Nanahuatzin courageously entered the divine fire, while another god hesitated before following suit.
• 😀 After the gods entered the fire, they waited to see from which direction the new sun would rise.
• 😀 The gods who looked toward the east—Quetzalcóatl, Xipe Tótec, and others—were the ones who accepted the sun's emergence.
• 😀 Initially, both the sun and the moon emitted equal brightness, blinding anyone who looked at them directly.
• 😀 The god of pulque threw a rabbit at the moon's face, reducing its brightness, which is why a rabbit is visible on the moon's surface.
• 😀 After four days, the sun and the moon began to move, thanks to the sacrifice of the gods.
• 😀 The sun entrusted powerful arrows and shields to the Mini Coa to feed and care for the earth, but they neglected their duties.
• 😀 In response, the sun ordered the destruction of the Mini Coa who failed in their duty, causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
• 😀 The myth of the gods' sacrifice was reenacted in rituals during the Xipe Tótec festival, where priests symbolized the destruction of the negligent Mini Coa.

Q & A

What was the initial problem the gods faced in the myth?

The gods needed to decide who would light the world, as it was still in darkness. One of them, named Tezcatlipoca, volunteered, but another god was needed to take on the responsibility.

Who was Nanahuatzin, and what role did he play in the myth?

Nanahuatzin was a small, sickly god who, despite his condition, volunteered to light the world. His bravery in choosing to jump into the divine fire was pivotal in the creation of the sun.

What happened when Nanahuatzin attempted to jump into the fire?

At first, Nanahuatzin hesitated and was afraid, attempting to jump into the fire four times before finally making the decision to jump courageously.

What did the gods do when Nanahuatzin and Tezcatlipoca transformed into the sun and the moon?

The gods waited eagerly, hoping to see from which direction the new sun would emerge. As Nanahuatzin and Tezcatlipoca became the sun and moon, they initially emitted equal brightness, making it impossible to see them directly.

Why did Tezcatlipoca decrease in brightness?

Tezcatlipoca's brightness was reduced when one of the gods of pulque, a drink made from agave, threw a rabbit in front of his face, making the moon appear dimmer and the rabbit a permanent feature on the moon.

How long did the sun and moon remain immobile in the sky, and what changed this?

The sun and moon remained immobile in the sky for four days until the god of movement, the wind, began to blow on the fifth day, signifying the start of their journey across the sky.

What was the role of the Minis Coa in the myth?

The Minis Coa were gods entrusted with the care of the sun, and they were supposed to feed and sustain it. However, they neglected their duties and instead spent their time hunting and indulging in pleasures.

How did the sun react to the Minis Coa’s neglect?

The sun was angered by the Minis Coa’s failure to perform their duties and called upon five other Minis Coa to destroy the ones who were not fulfilling their responsibilities.

What was the result of the destruction of the Minis Coa?

The destruction of the Minis Coa caused the earth to tremble, and a great upheaval occurred, with mountains crumbling and water boiling, leading to the defeat of the disobedient gods.

How was the myth commemorated in Aztec culture?

The myth was recreated during the Tlaxochimaco festival, where priests would dress in skins, sit around the circular stone, and re-enact the sacrifice of the Minis Coa to honor the gods and the sacrifice that made the sun and moon possible.