Xiuhtecuhtli

The Turquoise Lord

Xiuhtecuhtli ("Turquoise Lord") was the Aztec god of fire and time, one of the oldest deities in the Mesoamerican tradition. His other name, Huehueteotl ("Old God"), reflects his primordial nature. He dwelt in the hearth fire at the center of every home and at the center of the universe itself.

Lord of the Center

In Aztec cosmology, Xiuhtecuhtli occupied the center of the universe, the axis mundi connecting the heavens, earth, and underworld. The four cardinal directions radiated from his position. Every hearth fire was a manifestation of this cosmic center, making him present in every home.

The New Fire Ceremony

Every 52 years, when the two Aztec calendars (the 365-day solar calendar and the 260-day ritual calendar) aligned, all fires throughout the empire were extinguished. In a ceremony atop Huixachtlan hill, priests drilled new fire on the chest of a sacrificial victim. If the fire caught, the world would continue for another 52 years. Runners then carried the new fire to every temple and household.

Patron of Rulers

Xiuhtecuhtli was closely associated with rulership and kingship. New rulers were inaugurated before his shrine. The turquoise crown and throne were sacred to him. "Xiuh-" forms part of many royal names and titles.

The Fire Serpent

Xiuhtecuhtli wielded the Xiuhcoatl, the turquoise fire serpent, which Huitzilopochtli also carried as his weapon. The fire serpent represented the sun's rays, lightning, and the destructive power of fire. It appears on countless Aztec monuments.