Aztec Pantheoncreation
The Legend of the Five Suns
The Aztec creation myth describing four previous worlds that were destroyed, and the creation of the current fifth world by the sacrifice of the gods.
An editorial retelling
The story
The Cycle of Destruction
The Aztecs believed that time was cyclical and the universe had been created and destroyed four times before. Each era was called a "Sun."
- Nahui-Ocelotl (Jaguar Sun): Ruled by Tezcatlipoca. Giants lived then. Quetzalcoatl knocked Tezcatlipoca into the sea, he became a jaguar, and jaguars ate all the giants.
- Nahui-Ehecatl (Wind Sun): Ruled by Quetzalcoatl. Destroyed by hurricanes. Humans turned into monkeys.
- Nahui-Quiahuitl (Rain Sun): Ruled by Tlaloc. Destroyed by a rain of fire (volcanoes). Humans turned into turkeys/birds.
- Nahui-Atl (Water Sun): Ruled by Chalchiuhtlicue. Destroyed by a great flood. Humans turned into fish.
The Fifth Sun
The gods gathered at Teotihuacan in darkness to create a new sun. Two gods volunteered: the wealthy but cowardly Tecuciztecatl and the poor, humble Nanahuatzin. A great bonfire was lit. Tecuciztecatl hesitated four times, afraid of the heat. Nanahuatzin, without a word, leaped into the flames and became the Sun (Tonatiuh).
Shamed, Tecuciztecatl followed him and became the Moon. But now there were two equally bright suns. One of the gods threw a rabbit into the face of the second sun to dim it, creating the moon with the rabbit marking.
The Demand for Blood
Even with the sun created, it did not move. It hung burning in the sky. The sun god demanded payment: "Give me blood, or I will not move." The gods realized they had to sacrifice themselves to set the universe in motion. Ehécatl (wind god) slew the other gods and blew the sun into motion.
Thus, the Fifth Sun, Nahui-Ollin (Movement Sun), began. But it is prophesied to end in earthquakes. To prevent this, humanity must continuously offer sacrifice (newtork) to repay the debt of the gods.
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Highlights
Four worlds destroyed by jaguars, wind, fire, and water. Nanahuatzin jumps into the fire to become the sun. The gods sacrifice themselves to make the sun move.
Why it matters
The central justification for Aztec human sacrifice: avoiding the end of the world.
Quick answers
- What is the story of The Legend of the Five Suns about?
- The Aztec creation myth describing four previous worlds that were destroyed, and the creation of the current fifth world by the sacrifice of the gods.
- What themes does The Legend of the Five Suns explore?
- The atlas lists these themes for The Legend of the Five Suns: sacrifice keeps the world alive, cyclical time, and debt to the gods.
Sources and further reading
By Elizabeth Stein for Mythos Atlas. About the author. Editorial notes are grounded in the site's cited sources and can be challenged through the contact page.
Works cited
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