TYPE: Primordial Goddess
ORIGIN: Aztec (Classical Mesoamerican) [Mexico]
KNOWN PERIOD OF WORSHIP: Circa CE 750 until CE 1500, but probably much earlier.
ART REFERENCES: Codex illustrations, stone carvings
LITERARY SOURCES: Pre-Columbian codices.
INFORMATION: Not strictly a goddess but significant enought to Aztec cosmogony to be included here. According to tradition she was created in the form of a huge alligator-like monster by the underworld deities Mictlantecuhlti, and Mictecacihuatl. She may equate with Tlatltecuhtli, the toad-like earth monster who was torn apart to create heaven and earth. According to one tradition she emerged from the primordial waters and engaged in a fierce struggle with the sun god Tezcatlipoca during which he tore off her lower jaw to prevent her sinking back into the depths and she bit of his right foot. The mountains are said to be the scaly ridges of her skin.