Spiritual Mythology

Serpiente de cascabel: 1325-1521 The Mexican mythology of the Serpiente de cascabel is that of fertility. The shedding of the skin was a metaphor of renewal and transformation, it’s also considered sacred. When the artist created this piece, he made sure to illuminate the scales and the rattles to show off how these snakes make noise to scare off predators.

Pendiente Mariposa: 1250-1469 This particular piece has a human head and arms with a butterfly body. The large wings are flying downwards. The downward facing feathers around the head are considered to be sacrificial victims. The eye in the center of the piece symbolizes its nocturnal nature. It also is thought the butterfly may be the soul of a woman who died in childbirth.

Cr’otalo con mazorcas: 1250-1500 This piece represents a large rattlesnake tail. The six corncobs coming out of the skin are thought to convey agricultural abundance. It’s also said that the scale arrangement evokes the surface of the corncob. It was found in the ruins of the Moctecuhzoma II palace where it could have been used as an architectural piece.

Xo’lotl: 1325-1521 This piece is done in the shape of a dog. This artifact is said to be a God, Xo’lotl. It’s said that this monstrous being accompanied the Sun on a daily bases of the Underworld and participated in myths of creation. It was found in Tacuba Street during the digging of the Metro system.

Guerrero Jaguar: 1250-1500 This creation is a man adorned with beads and conches sitting on a seat. All of the pieces adorning this artifact depict that it’s that of a noble. The bracelets, earflaps, paper fan, green stone necklace, bangles with turquoise and gold and breastplate indicate this to be a warrior of the prestigious order of the jaguars and that of noble lineage. It singles that this warrior achieved extraordinary military action.

Chac Mool: 1250-1500 This piece is holding a cuauhxicalli, or an offering ornament. It’s decorated with jewel glyphs, large circular earflaps, bracelets and bangles made of green stone beads. He also wears a large 3 tier necklace made of green stone beads. The God appears to be surrounded by elements that suggest a cold and aquatic environment.

Xochipilli: 1250-1500 This figure is called the ‘Prince of Flowers’, god of summer. He is a manifestation of Piltzintecuhtli, who is a manifestation of Tonatiuh the supreme sun god of Mesoamerica. This god is also related to the ‘Corn-flower Prince’, the 7th Lord of the Day. He’s also associated with butterflies, poetry and the 11th of the 20 Aztec days. He was a very youthful and playful prince.

Coatlicue de Cozcatlan: 1250-1500 This is a female sculpture. The dressing adorning the sculpture is known as Coaticue. She is considered to be a goddess of the Sun, Moon and stars. Her arms are in an attacking position with feline claws and feet. Her saggy breasts suspect that she’s had multiple children. This piece was found in Puebla, the area of Cozcatlan. This region was associated with the Triple Alliance Empire.

Ocelotl Cuauhxicalli: 1250-1500 Mesoamerica had rituals involving sacrifice. They believed in renewal of the gods from the blood and hearts of the captives of war. This piece was found in Marques del Apartado in Argentina and Donceles in Mexico City. This piece is known to have had various shapes. All were able to store the hearts and blood of those sacrificed.

Mono de obsidian: 1250-1500 This Monkey is one of the most attractive pieces in the Mexica Hall. It’s made of polished obsidian. It comes from the Mesoamerican group and was made of various lithic-work techniques using percussion, pressure and by finally being polished with fine sand and water.