The Aztec believed the human body was integrally connected to the cosmos. They saw the body as divided into three realms that mirrored the three levels of the cosmos - the head connected to the heavens, the heart to the earth, and the liver to the underworld. Rituals and human sacrifice helped maintain balance and circulation of vital energies between these realms, ensuring world health and prosperity.

1. The Aztec
The Relationship of the Human Body
and the Cosmos

2. Cosmovision
• All life is integrated around a sacred center
– Sacred Tree/Sacred Mountain
• World health was connected to the correct
circulation of energies
– Rituals at the center.

3. Aztec Understanding of a Human
Being
• Divided into 3 realms
– Above, middle, below
– Similar to the cosmos

4. Head
• In the head resides Tonalli
– Animating principle of the sun
– Tonalli means day
• Entered the body through fontanel (third eye)
at birth
– Source of intelligence

5. Heart
• Associated with the heavens and earth
– teyolia--container of vigor and energy--blood--
vital fluid
• Site of memory and knowledge
– Source of power to divine fates

6. Liver
• Connected with the underworld and the
dead
– earth energies
• Connected with emotions and bravery
– Also a source for disease

7. Unity of Time and Space
• 3 calendars
– Year, Agricultural and
Divinitory
• Fervary Mayer
– 8 directions, blood
flowing to body parts
• Tonalpohualli-Day
Count
– Divintory calendar
– 260 days

8. Tenochtitlan

9. Ceremonial Center

10. Templo Mayor--Altepetl (Water
Mountain)

11. Coyolxauhqui--Moon Goddess

12. Coatlicue and Huitzilopochtli
• Coatlicue (Serpent
Skirt)
– Earth Mother
• Huitzilopochtli
– Solar Deity
• Nextlahualli--Blood
Sacrifice
– Payment of Debt

13. Tlaloc and the Valley of Mexico
• Tlaloc--”he who is the
embodiment of the
land”
• Tlalocan--the home of
Tlaloc located in the
underworld

14. Atlcahualo--Drought
• First Month
– Before rainy season
(12 February)
• Child Sacrifice
• Ritual map of Valley
of Mexico

15. Eating Landscape
• Earth was Tlaloc’s
body, sites of sacrifice
were his mouths
– Demand was for human
blood in exchange for
water
– Fruits of human body
(children) were exchanged
for fruits of the earth
(agricultural products)
– Sacrifice--”payment of
debt”