Teotleco

Teotleco

Teotleco was a significant religious festival in the Aztec calendar. Celebrated in the 11th month of the Aztec year, it was dedicated to the god Tezcatlipoca, and also honored other important deities. The name "Teotleco" translates to "the return of the gods" or "the coming of the gods," signifying a time when the deities were believed to descend to earth.

During Teotleco, elaborate rituals and ceremonies were performed. These included processions, dances, fasting, and offerings. A central element of the festival was the sacrifice of victims, often slaves or prisoners of war, whose hearts were offered to the gods. These sacrifices were believed to nourish the deities and ensure the continuation of the cosmos.

Another important aspect of Teotleco was the preparation and consumption of tzoalli, a paste made from amaranth seeds mixed with human blood, formed into effigies of the gods. These effigies were venerated and later consumed in a communal ritual, symbolizing the incorporation of the divine essence.

The festival served as a time for reflection, purification, and reaffirmation of the Aztec's relationship with the gods. It reinforced the social and religious order, reminding the populace of their obligations to the deities and the importance of maintaining cosmic harmony.