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37-508: Chalchiuitlicue directly translates to "Jade her skirt"; however, her name is most commonly interpreted as "she of the jade skirt." She was also known as Chalchiuhtlatonac (chalchihu[itl]-tla-tona-c) "She who shines like jade" and Matlalcueye "Possessor of the Blue Skirt" by the Tlaxcalans , an indigenous group who inhabited the republic of Tlaxcala . Chalchiuitlicue was the wife or sister of

74-531: A coat of arms and the right to petition the king directly to address grievances. Charles also declared that Tlaxcala should answer to no one but himself. Though nominally subjects of the Spanish Empire, in practice Tlaxcala and the Tlaxcallans were largely free of Spanish authority, and jealously guarded their own independence and autonomy. King Charles was careful to recognize Tlaxcala as an allied city and not

111-571: A conquered one, which satisfied the Tlaxcallan leadership and ensured their loyalty for three centuries. "It is more inhabited than other provinces; and its inhabitants, who are the least oppressed of any in New Spain, owe this favour to the alliance that their republican ancestors made with the disciplined robbers whom Cortés commanded, and who subdued the Mexican empire. They are the most intelligent of all

148-507: A distinctive headdress, which consists of several broad, likely cotton bands trimmed with amaranth seeds. Large round tassels fall from either side of the headdress. Chalchihuitlicue typically wears a shawl adorned with tassels and a skirt. She is often depicted sitting with a stream of water flowing out of or from behind her skirt. In the Codex Borbonicus (page 5), Chalchihuitlicue wears an elaborate blue and white headdress. She sits on

185-761: A dual role in Aztec mythology as both a life-giver and life-ender. In the Aztec creation myth of the Five Suns , Chalchiuhtlicue presided over the Fourth Sun or the fourth creation of the world. It is believed that Chalchiuhtlicue retaliated against Tlaloc's mistreatment of her by releasing 52 years of rain, causing a giant flood which caused the Fourth Sun to be destroyed. She built a bridge linking heaven and earth and those who were in Chalchiuhtlicue's good graces were allowed to traverse it, while others were turned into fish. Following

222-471: A red stool and a stream of water flows out from the bottom of her stool. A male baby and female baby, who are depicted as if swimming, are carried in the water. In the Codex Borgia (page 65), Chalchihuitlicue sits on a red throne and a river flows outwards from behind her body. Two figures stand in the water and Chalchihuitlicue gesticulates out towards them. She wears an elaborate yellow headdress. Five of

259-455: A result, it is unknown whether Aztec codices were created by a native method or created with the help of imported methods after the arrival of the Spanish. The Codex Borbonicus is a single 46.5-foot (14.2 m) long sheet of amatl paper. Although there were originally 40 accordion-folded pages, the first two and the last two pages are missing. It was originally pictorial and logographic as

296-834: A smaller number of recent immigrants from Tlaxcala living in California , the American Southwest and New York City . Codex Borbonicus The Codex Borbonicus is an Aztec codex written by Aztec priests shortly before or after the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire . It is named after the Palais Bourbon in France and kept at the Bibliothèque de l'Assemblée Nationale in Paris. The codex

333-443: Is an outstanding example of how Aztec manuscript painting is crucial for the understanding of Mexica calendric constructions, deities , and ritual actions. The Codex Borbonicus is one of a very few Aztec codices that survived the colonial Spanish inquisition. When the Spanish conquistadors (led by Hernán Cortés ) entered Aztec cities, they would often find libraries filled with thousands of native works.  However, most of

370-504: Is considered a French national treasure and has not been allowed to leave the country since the 1960s. The early printed word of the early Aztec Civilization is quite interesting, as it contains only pictographs. It was not until the colonial era that Aztec scribes, after learning the Roman alphabet, began to incorporate text into their codices, both in Nahuatl (the native language) and Spanish. As

407-645: Is often carved from green stone in accordance with her name. The Pyramid of the Moon is a large pyramid located in Teotihuacán, the dominant political power in the central Mexican region during the Early Classic period (ca. 200–600 CE). The pyramid is thought to have been at one point dedicated to Chalchiutlicue. It accompanies The Pyramid of the Sun, which is thought to have been dedicated to Chalchiutlicue's husband Tlaloc. In

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444-410: The tonalpohualli (or 260-day year). Most of the page is taken up with a painting of the ruling deity or deities, with the remainder taken up with the 13 day-signs of the trecena and 13 other glyphs and deities. With these 26 symbols, the priests were able to create horoscopes and divine the future. The first 18 pages of the codex (all that remain of the original 20) show considerably more wear than

481-580: The Spanish conquest of the Philippines , with some permanently settling on the islands and contributing Nahuatl words to the Philippine languages . In return for their assistance in toppling the Aztec Empire and other conquests, in 1534 the governor of Tlaxcala, Maxixcatzin, demanded and was granted a personal audience with the King of Spain, Charles V . Tlaxcala was given several special privileges, among them being

518-457: The 20 big celebrations in the Aztec calendar were dedicated to Chalchiutlicue and her husband (or brother) Tlaloc. During these celebrations, priests dove into a lake and imitated the movements and the croaking of frogs, hoping to bring rain. Chalchiutlicue presides over the day 5 Serpent and the trecena of 1 Reed . Her feast is celebrated in the ventena of Etzalqualiztli . She is associated with

555-959: The Americans subject to Spain." - Thomas Kitchin , The Present State of the West-Indies: Containing an Accurate Description of What Parts Are Possessed by the Several Powers in Europe , 1778 Following Mexican independence, from 1885-1911 the Governor of Tlaxcala was Prospero Cahuantzi, himself of native Tlaxcaltec heritage. Cahuantzi promoted the preservation of indigenous Mexican culture and artifacts. He also possessed an indigenous Nahuatl surname, uncommon in post-colonial Mexico but prevalent in Tlaxcala due to their previous alliance with Spain, which protected them from imposed Spanish baptismal names. As

592-525: The Aztec god of rain Tlaloc , depending on the text. Tlaloc and Chalchiuitlicue share similar attributes as they are both water deities; however, Chalchiuitlicue was often associated with groundwater, unlike Tlaloc. She was also the mother of the Aztec moon god Tecciztecatl . In other texts, she was the wife of Xiuhtecuhtli , who was a senior deity for the Aztecs. In Aztec religion, Chalchiuitlicue helps Tlaloc to rule

629-600: The Mexican government does not recognize ethnicity by ancestry but by language spoken, the number of Tlaxcaltec people in Mexico is difficult to estimate. They are instead broadly grouped with other Nahuatl-speaking people known as Nahuas . As of the 2010 Mexican census, there were estimated to be more than 23,000 Nahuatl-speakers in Tlaxcala. By 2020, that number had risen to over 27,000. Thousands of people, descended from 16th century Tlaxcallan colonists, live in Texas today, as well as

666-1323: The Spaniards had proved unsuccessful. They settled areas inhabited by nomadic bellicose tribes (known as the Chichimeca ) to pacify the local indigenous groups hostile to the Spanish Crown. Before embarking on their journeys, the Tlaxcalans demanded and received numerous rights and privileges for their service to Spain. The Tlaxcaltec colonies in the Chichimeca included settlements in the modern states of Coahuila , Durango , Jalisco , Nuevo León , San Luis Potosí and Zacatecas . The colonies included Nueva Tlaxcala de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Horcasistas, today known as Guadalupe , and Santiago de las Sabinas, today known as Sabinas Hidalgo , in Nuevo León ; Villa de Nueva Tlaxcala de Quiahuistlán, today known as Colotlán in Jalisco ; and San Esteban de Nueva Tlaxcala in Coahuila, today part of Saltillo . Tlaxcaltec officers and soldiers also participated in

703-608: The centuries, even during the Mexican War of Independence , though Tlaxcala did host a strong pro-independence faction. The Tlaxcaltecs were also instrumental in the Spanish conquest of Guatemala , and a significant number of Guatemalan place names, including the name “ Guatemala ” itself, derive from Tlaxcallan Nahuatl. Tlaxcallan colonists also founded a number of settlements in Northern Mexico (including parts of present-day southeastern Texas ), where conquest of local tribes by

740-602: The city of Ocotelolco to assume power over Tlaxcala. Due to their alliance with the Spanish Crown in the conquest of the Aztec Empire , the Tlaxcaltecs enjoyed exclusive privileges among the indigenous peoples of Mexico, including the right to carry guns , ride horses , hold noble titles, maintain Tlaxcaltec names and to rule their settlements autonomously. This privileged treatment ensured Tlaxcallan allegiance to Spain over

777-406: The fertility of both people and land, and the Aztecs asked Chalchiutlicue for a good harvest of crops. A series of ritualistic ceremonies were performed and dedicated to Chalchiuhtlicue and other childbirth/water deities called Atlcahualo. These ceremonies would last the entire month of February. Chalchiutlicue was the guardian of the children and newborns. When children fell ill, healers called on

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814-600: The flood, the Fifth Sun developed. The Fifth Sun is the world which we now occupy. During her reign the Aztecs first began to use maize, which became a paramount staple in their diet and economy. Chalchiutlicue was associated with the many fasciates of water as well as being credited with being involved with the death of those who died in drowning accidents. In addition to water-related deaths, Chalchiuhtlicue presided over birth rituals, bathing of sacrificial victims and ceremonial actors, judiciary purification, royal investiture, and

851-576: The four cities supposedly had equal say in this confederation, but eventually, the Nahuatl speakers became the dominant ethnic group. By the time of European contact, the city of Tizatlan was effectively controlling Tlaxcala. Despite early attempts by the Aztecs , also known as Mexica , the Tlaxcaltecs were never conquered by the Triple Alliance . Later wars between the Tlaxcallans and the Aztecs were called xochiyaoyatl ( flower wars ), as their objective

888-427: The goddess as they practiced hydromancy in order to find the tonalli (spirits) of sick children. She also played a central role in the process of childbirth. Mothers and babies often died in the process of childbirth; the role of the midwife was also of utmost importance in the process. During labor, the midwife spoke to the newborn and ask the gods that the baby's birth ensure a prime place among them. After cutting

925-517: The last sections, very likely indicating that these pages were consulted more often. The second section of the codex documents the Mesoamerican 52-year cycle, showing in order the dates of the first days of each of these 52 solar years. These days are correlated with the nine Lords of the Night . The third section is focused on rituals and ceremonies, particularly those that end the 52-year cycle, when

962-567: The life since the beginning of the world: this water in truth has a unique power to oppose misfortune." Finally, the midwife washed the entire body of the baby and said, "In which part of you is unhappiness hidden? Or in which part are you hiding? Leave this child, today, he is born again in the healthful waters in which he has been bathed, as mandated by the will of the god of the sea Chalchiutlicue." Tlaxcaltec The Tlaxcallans , or Tlaxcaltecs , are an indigenous Nahua people who originate from Tlaxcala, Mexico . The Confederacy of Tlaxcala

999-559: The mid-19th century, archaeologists unearthed a 20-ton monolithic sculpture depicting a water goddess that is believed to be Chalchiuhtlicue from underneath The Pyramid of the Moon. The sculpture was excavated from the plaza forecourt of the Pyramid of the Moon structure. The sculpture was relocated by Leopoldo Batres to Mexico City in 1889, where it is presently in the collection of the Museo Nacional de Antropología . Chalchihuitlicue wears

1036-483: The name of the goddess Chalchiutlicue." She then sprinkled water at the head of the child and said, "Behold this element without whose assistance no mortal being can survive." She also sprinkled water on the breast of the baby while saying, "Receive this celestial water that washes impurity from your heart." She then went to the head and said, "Son, receive this divine water, which must be drank that all may live that it may wash you and wash away all your misfortunes, part of

1073-403: The paradisial kingdom of Tlalocan . Chalchiutlicue brings fertility to crops and is thought to protect women and children. According to myths, Chalchiuhtlicue once ate the sun and the moon. She is often associated with serpents, as most Aztec water deities are. It is thought that her association with water and fertility speaks to the Aztecs' association with the womb and water. She often withheld

1110-435: The recycling of ritual waste. Chalchiuhtlicue was often depicted as "a river, out of which grew a prickly pear cactus laden with fruit, which symbolized the human heart." (Schwartz 2018, 14). She was believed to be the personification of youth, beauty, and zeal, although she should not be confused with Tlazolteotl (also known as Ixucuina or Tlaelquani), who was the Aztec goddess of midwives, steam baths, purification, sin, and

1147-472: The time, their teuctli (elected leader) was a man named Xicotencatl . The leaders of the four cities of Tlaxcala agreed to accept Christianity, and in July of 1520 were baptized. Conquistador Bernal Castillo described the younger Xicotencatl as greatly suspicious of the Spanish and repeatedly interfering with their plans. He stated that Cortés eventually had Xicotencatl secretly executed, allowing noblemen from

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1184-448: The umbilical cord, the midwife washed the new baby with customary greetings to Chalchiutlicue. Four days after the birth, the child was given a second bath and a name. As reported by Sahagún's informants, the midwife said, "The gods Ometecutli and Omecioatl who realm in the ninth and tenth heavens, have begotten you in this light and brought you into this world full of calamity and pain take then this water, which will protect you life, in

1221-524: The works were destroyed during the conquest as a means to hasten the conversion of the Aztec to European ideals. The Codex Borbonicus was acquired in 1826 for 1,300 golds francs at auction by a French Benedictine monk, deputy-curator of the library of the National Assembly, Pierre-Paul Druon. At the time, he sought out and entrusted many rare and valuable works to the French Parliament. The Codex

1258-588: Was instrumental in overthrowing the Aztec Empire in 1521, alongside conquistadors from the Kingdom of Spain . The Tlaxcallans remained allies of the Spanish for 300 years until the Independence of Mexico in 1821. The Tlaxcaltecs were originally a conglomeration of three distinct ethnic groups who spoke Nahuatl , Otomi and Pinome that comprised the four city-states ( altepetl ) of Tlaxcallān or Tlaxcala . Each of

1295-452: Was not to conquer but rather to capture enemy warriors for sacrifice . Due to their century-long rivalry with the Aztecs, the Tlaxcaltecs allied with Hernán Cortés and his fellow Spanish conquistadors and were instrumental in the invasion of Tenochtitlan , capital of the Aztec Empire, helping the Spanish reach the Valley of Anahuac and providing a key contingent of the invasion force. At

1332-551: Was the patroness of adulterers. Although the two goddesses often overlapped, they were distinct from one another. Chalchiutlicue is depicted in several central Mexican manuscripts, including the Pre-Columbian Codex Borgia (plates 11 and 65), the 16th century Codex Borbonicus (page 5), the 16th century Codex Ríos (page 17), and the Florentine Codex (plate 11). When represented through sculpture, Chalchiutlicue

1369-476: Was usual for pre-Columbian Aztec codicies, although some Spanish descriptions have been added. There is dispute as to whether the Codex Borbonicus is pre-Columbian, as the calendar pictures all contain room above them for Spanish descriptions. The first section is one of the most intricate surviving divinatory calendars (or tonalamatl ). Each page represents one of the 20 trecena (or 13-day periods), in

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