Xiuhtecuhtli
| Xiuhtecuhtli | |
|---|---|
| |
Mural of Xiuhtecuhtli in the temple city of Teotlan, inside what is now Tequitinitlan | |
| Other names | Huehueteotl, Cuezaltzin, Ixcozauhqui |
| Planet | Mars |
| Animals | Snakes, Condors |
| Tree | Firetree |
| Color | Red - Black |
| Number | Eight |
| Gender | Male |
| Region | Ixtleconism |
| Consort | Chantico |
| Offspring | Huitzilopochtli |
Xiuhtecuhtli is the Lord of Fire or Turquoise Lord, the first child of the Ometeotl and the chief deity of Ixtleconism. He is the god of fire, heat and the day, and is associated with knowledge, science, wisdom and rulership. Like most deities in the Ixtleconist tradition, Xiuhtecuhtli is also associated with warriors. Xiuhtecuhtli was the first being to come to life in the world created by the Ometeotl, the twin creator gods of Ixtleconism, making him the eldest of the subsequent gods and their chief. However, he was later struck down by the Ometeotl for betraying them and giving fire to humanity, for which he was disemboweled, dismembered and scattered across the universe. The central cult of Ixtleconism revolves around giving thanks for Xiuhtecuhtli's gift, venerating him and his teachings passed down to humans by the prophetic Tlecoyani, and keeping portions of the god's essence alive through acts of worship. He is the most well known and widely revered of the Ixtleconic gods, along with his wife Chantico and demi-god son Huitzilopochtli.
Rebirth, reoccurrence, reincarnation and the passage of time are linked to Xiuhtecuhtli, sometimes represented as a self-kindling fire that lights itself against when it is put out. Also called "Father of Himself", Xiuhtecuhtli represents the heat of the summer and the daytime which wains and dies in winter and at night, but in so doing prepares its rebirth the following spring and at dawn. Each day and year are for this reason considered each to be manifestations of the fire god, each one the product or "son" of its predecessor or "father". Ixtleconic filial piety is based on this concept, with every generation paying respect to its predecessors and preparing the way for its successors just as the day and year do. Similarly, Xiuhtecuhtli is the god of rulers who represent his dominion over his sibling gods and humanity, and whose succession through the ages represents his eternal rebirth, being traced back to the Tlecoyani, Huitzilopochtli and through him Xiuhtecuhtli himself. Xiuhtecuhtli also has some aquatic associations, despite his role as the god of fire. Xiuhtli signifies both fire and turquoise in Nahuatl, with Xiuhtecuhtli sometimes being depicted sitting in turquoise water, within a ring of turquoise stones which fortify his power. That Xiuhatl, the Turquoise water or Fire drink, is an alcoholic beverage considered sacred in Ixtleconism, imbibed during many religious rituals. This in part is responsible for Xiuhtecuhtli's role as the deity of revelry and festivities.