{"id":3053,"date":"2022-09-05T16:28:05","date_gmt":"2022-09-05T23:28:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.despertarmagia.com\/the-god-with-the-longest-name\/"},"modified":"2022-09-05T16:28:05","modified_gmt":"2022-09-05T23:28:05","slug":"the-god-with-the-longest-name","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.despertarmagia.com\/the-god-with-the-longest-name\/","title":{"rendered":"The god with the longest name?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
HOT TIP<\/h5>\n
Even longer name!<\/h5>\n

Thanks to a group of university students in San Luis Potos\u00ed, our attention has been drawn to the god Tlahuelmictlanpantecuhtli<\/em> – \u2018Great Lord of the Place of the Dead\u2019. Please keep them coming…!<\/p>\n

Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli – The god with the longest name?<\/h2>\n

Could Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli be the Aztec god with the longest name? He features on our Contact page, and his name – which means \u2018Lord of the House of Dawn\u2019 – consists of 7 syllables (equivalent to saying \u2018Lord God Almighty in Heav\u2019n\u2019). It takes me around 8 seconds just to type his name, which you can hear pronounced below. We\u2019ve decided to give him a full \u2018profile\u2019… (Written\/compiled by Ian Mursell\/Mexicolore)<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Picture 1: Venus, seen from the Galileo spacecraft (NASA)<\/p>\n

Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli was the twin\/dual deity of the planet Venus, as Morning Star (Quetzalc\u00f3atl) and Evening Star (X\u00f3lotl). Worshipped throughout the Mesoamerican region for centuries even before the Aztecs, he represented first and foremost the bright star that appears with its own unique brilliance very early in the morning in the Eastern sky.<\/p>\n

Picture 2: Aztec astronomer, Codex Mendoza (original in the Bodleian Library, Oxford)\u00a0(Click on image to enlarge)<\/p>\n

Venus is very similar to Earth in size and mass – and so is sometimes referred to as Earth\u2019s sister planet. It\u2019s usually the third brightest body in the sky after the sun and the moon*. The ancient Mexicans, being expert astronomers (Pic2), could predict precisely on which days and at which times the star would appear and disappear. Not only were they were well aware of its 584 day cycle round the sun, they even knew that its exact cycle is actually 583 days, 22 hours, 6 minutes and 40 seconds – and they allowed for the difference to be made up in their calculations every 88 years!<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, the ancient Mexicans had calculated accurately that the orbits of the earth (c.365 days), the moon (c.260 days) and Venus (c.584 days) come together only once every 104 years (two Aztec \u2018bundles of years\u2019 or centuries\u2019). Their knowledge of time and its cycles was truly stunning.<\/p>\n

Picture 3: Venus the Morning Star, Codex Cospi\u00a0(Click on image to enlarge)<\/p>\n

It had always been believed throughout Mesoamerica that Venus\u2019s rays, rising as the planet does immediately before the sun – whose daily re-birth was \u2018announced\u2019 by the Morning Star – were both deadly and immensely powerful. They came directly from the spirit world \u2018… and carried with them the awesome power associated with that realm\u2019 (\u2018The Flayed God\u2019, p. 289). In many codices Venus is depicted as one of the fiercest of the gods in the sky, where cosmic battles – the most obvious being between day and night – were fought out daily. In the Codex Cospi (Pic 3) the Morning Star can be seen (in the fourth of the 5 periods of the Venus cycle) using his \u00e1tlatl or spear-thrower to hurl a dart or powerful ray of light at a (rather small) sun sitting on an \u2018icpalli\u2019 (royal thrown).<\/p>\n

Picture 4: Venus the Morning Star, Codex Cospi\u00a0(Click on image to enlarge)<\/p>\n

This recalls part of the Aztec legend of the creation of the Fifth Sun: initially the sun and the moon are motionless in the sky. Tonatiuh (sun god) demands obedience and sacrifice from the other gods before he will move. \u2018Infuriated by this arrogance, the god of the morning star known as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, Lord of the Dawn, shoots a dart at the sun. However, the dart misses its mark, and the sun throws his own back at the morning star, piercing Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli through the head. At this moment, the Lord of the Dawn is transformed into the god of stone and coldness, Itztlacoliuhqui, and for this reason it is always cold at the time of the dawn…\u2019 (Aztec and Maya Myths, pp.42-44).<\/p>\n

Picture 5: Venus the Morning Star, Codex Vaticanus\u00a0(Click on image to enlarge)<\/p>\n

In the second part of the Venus cycle, again in the Codex Cospi (Pic 4) Venus – again with a skull mask, only white this time – hurls darts at Chalchiuhtlicue (water goddess – see our feature on her noseplug, below). Notice how the dart pierces the goddess\u2019s heart. The same scene is shown in another of the Borgia group of codices, the Vaticanus, Chalchiuhtlicue on the left and Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli on the right (Pic 5). Notice the sequence of day signs around the scene – 13, all with the sign c\u00f3atl (snake); the numbers run (from top left): 11, 4, 10, 3, 9, 2, 8, 1, 7, 13, 6, 12, 5. These are a tiny part of several complicated astronomical tables, shown in a number of Borgia group codices, predicting the cycles of Venus over 104 years (see above).<\/p>\n

The 5 periods of Venus are always shown with the 13 days associated with each; 13 x 5 = 65 and 65 x 4 = 260, the number of days in the most ancient Mexican calendar. When you open the long sacred calendar of 260 days in the Codex Cospi, you find 5 rows of 13 days on each double page (pic 6). Each quarter of 65 days was associated with a compass point (N,S,E,W). Wow!<\/p>\n

Picture 6: One of the 4 double-page sacred calendar sections of the Codex Cospi, showing 65 days in 5 rows of 13; top and bottom are more associations for each column of days!\u00a0(Click on image to enlarge)<\/p>\n

Picture 7: Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, illustration by Phillip Mursell based on the image in the Codex Borbonicus (see Pic 10)\u00a0(Click on image to enlarge)<\/p>\n

How to recognise Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli?<\/strong> He\u2019s usually shown with a sharply peaked feathered crown consisting of a red headband sporting two (or more) almond-shaped decorative flashes, often painted red-and-white (Pic 7). <\/p>\n

Picture 8: Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, Codex Borgia\u00a0(Click on image to enlarge)<\/p>\n

In the Borgia group of codices he is often depicted (see Pic 9, e.g.) with 5 white rings or discs spaced around his forehead, nose, cheeks and chin – these probably represent the 5 signs associated with the Venus calendar cycle (Alligator, Snake, Water, Reed and Movement).<\/p>\n

Picture 9: Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, Codex Fej\u00e9rv\u00e1ry-Mayer\u00a0(Click on image to enlarge)<\/p>\n

Being a representation of Quetzalc\u00f3atl, Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli was a brother of the two Tezcatlipocas and Huitzilopochtli, and firmly linked to the group of Creator Gods. Associated with the West, his companion spirit was a white hummingbird, and the colour white always featured in some aspect of his \u2018disguise\u2019 – usually the loincloth.<\/p>\n

Picture 10: Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli (facing Xiuhtecuhtli), Codex Borbonicus\u00a0(Click on image to enlarge)<\/p>\n

His hair, on the other hand, was coloured yellow, his body often grey\/black, and his arms and legs frequently bore the distinctive red-and-white stripes (\u2018huahuantin\u2019) of gladiatorial victims (see Pic 8, e.g.). Indeed symbols of war, such as darts\/spears & shield, were never far from him in the codices – you can see the great Aztec war symbol \u2018atl tlachinolli\u2019 (water-and-burnt-earth) all around him in the Codex Borbonicus (Pics 7 & 10). Notice the darts flowing through the stream of water! And notice how the belt of burnt earth flows from under the god up into a divine throne, on top of which are a series of symbols of war sacrifice – soft down feather tassles, an \u2018eagle bowl\u2019 containing human hearts, a bone, a cactus thorn, and a straw for sipping blood…<\/p>\n

Picture 11: Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli – the parts, part 1!\u00a0(Click on image to enlarge)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s your chance <\/strong>to see how Aztec scribes assembled the figure of a god or goddess. Our illustrator, Phillip Mursell, has dissected Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli for you [with grateful thanks to the illustrations in Salvador Matos Higuera\u2019s volume \u2018Los Dioses Creadores\u2019, part of the Enciclopedia Gr\u00e1fica del M\u00e9xico Antiguo]. We\u2019ve given you most of the more interesting part \u2018names\u2019 in N\u00e1huatl and English…<\/p>\n

Picture 12: Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli – the parts, part 2!\u00a0(Click on image to enlarge)<\/p>\n

Key to Picture 11:-<\/strong><\/p>\n

aztaxelli = forked feather headdress<\/p>\n

cuezalhuit\u00f3ncatl = feathered crown<\/p>\n

chalchiuhnacochtli = nose\/face mask [typical of Quetzalc\u00f3atl]<\/p>\n

tezcacuitlapilli = feathered tail mirror<\/p>\n

c\u00f3zcatl = necklace<\/p>\n

an\u00e1huatl = (sea)shell ring, tied by a red leather belt<\/p>\n

iztac m\u00e1xtlatl = white loincloth<\/p>\n

iztac cactli = white sandals<\/p>\n

One school\u2019s creative attempt to portray Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli\u00a0(Click on image to enlarge)<\/p>\n

Key to Picture 12:-<\/strong><\/p>\n

atl = water<\/p>\n

tlepap\u00e1lotl = \u2018fire butterfly\u2019<\/p>\n

huitztli = thorn [associated with the beak of a hummingbird]<\/p>\n

\u00f3mitl = bone<\/p>\n

y\u00f3lotl = heart<\/p>\n

cuauhxicalli = \u2018eagle bowl\u2019<\/p>\n

teoicpalli = throne\/seat of a god<\/p>\n

tlachinolli = \u2018scorched earth\u2019.<\/p>\n

Sources:-<\/strong><\/p>\n

Aztec and Maya Myths by Karl Taube, British Museum Press, 1993<\/p>\n

Mythology of the Aztecs and Maya by David M Jones, Anness Publishing, 2003<\/p>\n

The Flayed God – the Mythology of Mesoamerica by Roberta H Markman and Peter T Markman, HarperCollins Publishers, 1992<\/p>\n

Los Dioses Creadores by Salvador Mateos Higuera, Secretar\u00eda de Hacienda y Cr\u00e9dito P\u00fablico, 1993<\/p>\n

The sun, moon and Venus?\u00a0(Click on image to enlarge)<\/p>\n

*Some have suggested that this delightful sculpture, in the Museum of Anthropology of Xalapa, Veracruz, depicts a family of deities representing the sun, the moon, and Venus: which do you think is which?! <\/p>\n

This article was uploaded to the Mexicolore website on Feb 21st 2008<\/em><\/p>\n

\nYour user agent does not support the HTML5 Video element.
\nTlahuizcalpantecuhtli<\/h5>\n
Chalchiuhtlicue\u2019s nose plug<\/h5>\n
\n<\/h5>\n

Here’s what others have said:<\/p>\n

9<\/span> At 9.20am on Saturday January 11 2020, Santillana wrote:<\/h5>\n

I would like to make a small correction to the audio. Well in fact, two. First, the \u201cH\u201d in \u201ctecuHtli\u201d is silent. Doesn\u2019t sound as \u201ch\u201d in \u201chorse\u201d. Second: the \u201cI\u201d in \u201ctlahuIz\u201d should not be pronounced with much stress. Thanks !!!\n<\/p>\n

\nMexicolore replies: Thank YOU! We\u2019re Nahuatl novices, so do our best just to give a \u2018feel\u2019 for the pronunciation. Hopefully we can record a more accurate rendering in the future…<\/p>\n

8<\/span> At 4.13pm on Sunday December 29 2019, Tecpatzin wrote:<\/h5>\n

Their accurate precision in astronomy is astounding. Were all Mexica great astronomers, or was it just the priests?\n<\/p>\n

\nMexicolore replies: Great question! We\u2019ve tried to answer it simply in the \u2018Ask Us section\u2019 – https:\/\/www.\/aztecs\/ask-us\/were-all-mexica-great-astronomers<\/p>\n

7<\/span> At 10.21am on Tuesday September 5 2017, R. Braun wrote:<\/h5>\n

It takes Venus about 225 days to orbit the sun. How was the number 583 days, 22 hours, 6 minutes, etc. to obit the sun derived?\n<\/p>\n

\nMexicolore replies: I\u2019m no astronomer, but a quick search online comes up with the following: \u2018Venus takes only 225 days to orbit the Sun. However, when she is viewed from Earth, her full synodic cycle (from inferior conjunction to inferior conjunction with the Sun) takes 584 days, or about 1.6 years. This is due to the interaction of Venus\u2019s 225- day orbital period with the 365-day orbital period of the Earth.\u2019<\/p>\n

6<\/span> At 10.42am on Wednesday May 31 2017, lyn wrote:<\/h5>\n

what is the nahuatl name for the planet (or star)Venus ?\n<\/p>\n

\nMexicolore replies: Er, Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli!!<\/p>\n

5<\/span> At 11.18pm on Monday September 19 2016, Ottmar Serrano wrote:<\/h5>\n

The current sound file for the pronunciation of Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli seems too american, so to speak. There is a definite english accent, the stress falls on the wrong syllable and the final \u201ch\u201d shouldn\u2019t be pronounced. I\u2019m currently studying classical nahuatl and could send you how I\u2019d pronounce it. Would you be interested?\n<\/p>\n

\nMexicolore replies: Forgive our humble first attempt! YES PLEASE, do send us a more correct sound file, and we\u2019ll add it to the page…<\/p>\n

4<\/span> At 11.11pm on Friday September 12 2014, Kylee Smalley wrote:<\/h5>\n

So I\u2019m having trouble telling what\u2019s the \u2018actual\u2019 tale. How was Xolotl related to Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli and Quetzalcoatl? Not just blood relations either, anyway that they\u2019ve made contact please.\n<\/p>\n

\nMexicolore replies: Think of Xolotl as the destructive, \u2018dark\u2019 twin of Quetzalcoatl. It was Xolotl that helped Venus through the underworld as the Evening Star.<\/p>\n

3<\/span> At 11.41am on Wednesday May 27 2009, Lu\u00eds Gon\u00e7alves wrote:<\/h5>\n

Dear friends, I have a doubt on the meaning of T.\u2019s name. According to a Nahuatl dictionary that I own, the origin of this god\u2019s name would be: \u201ctlahuizcalli\u201d (light of dawn) + \u201ccalpan\u201d (in the house(s)?) + \u201ctecuhtli\u201d (lord), or \u201cLord of the House of Dawn\u201d, but I\u2019d like to be really sure about this. Could you please confirm if this is true? Thank you for your precious work and help. Lu\u00eds, from Portugal.\n<\/p>\n

\nMexicolore replies: Thanks for writing in, Luis. Yes, basically you\u2019re right. \u201cTla(h)uizcalli\u201d means dawn\/light of dawn, \u201ccalli\u201d means house, \u201cTla(h)uizcalpan\u201d means at\/with the dawn, \u201cTecuhtli\u201d means Lord. As always with classical N\u00e1huatl names, variations of meaning abound – Salvador Matos Higuera gives T\u2019s name as Lord of the Dawn, Lord of the House of Dawn, Lord of the House of Light, Lord of the Pink House, Ruler of the Dawn, Lord of the Morning Light, etc…<\/p>\n

2<\/span> At 1.41am on Monday May 18 2009, Mario Chavez wrote:<\/h5>\n

I got some artefacts very similar to this that my brother give to me he purchase this items over 40 yr and they are from 300bc , how can i found out the value??\n<\/p>\n

\nMexicolore replies: Very tricky this, Mario! If you lived in London we could take you to see a curator in the British Museum, but it\u2019s impossible to do this electronically, we fear…<\/p>\n

1<\/span> At 5.13pm on Sunday May 11 2008, Hern\u00e1n wrote:<\/h5>\n

Can I take your article to show it in my space? I want to translate it, but only if you let me do it. Very interesting. Greetings from Colombia.\n<\/p>\n

\nMexicolore replies: \u00a1Con gusto, Hern\u00e1n! Feel free – but please give a link to our website; and let us in return put your translated version onto these pages…!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

HOT TIP Even longer name! Thanks to a group of university students in San Luis Potos\u00ed, our attention has been drawn to the god Tlahuelmictlanpantecuhtli – \u2018Great Lord of the Place of the Dead\u2019. Please keep them coming…! Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli – The god with the longest name? Could Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli be the Aztec god with the longest name? He features on our Contact page, and his name – which means \u2018Lord of the House of Dawn\u2019 – consists of 7 syllables (equivalent to saying \u2018Lord God Almighty in Heav\u2019n\u2019). It takes me around 8 seconds just to type his name, which you\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3053","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-recetas-magicas"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":4}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.despertarmagia.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3053","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.despertarmagia.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.despertarmagia.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.despertarmagia.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.despertarmagia.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3053"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.despertarmagia.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3053\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.despertarmagia.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3053"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.despertarmagia.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3053"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.despertarmagia.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3053"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}