Transcript Aztec God Assignment

Ms. Jeelani
 Most
cultures have
stories and beliefs about
the creation of the
world and the origins of
its people… what are
some creation stories in
Canada?
 Huitzilopochtli:
 Incarnation
 What
main god of the Aztec
of the Sun
did he tell his followers?
 Religion
was extremely important in Aztec
life.
 Worshipped
hundreds of gods and
goddesses,

each of whom ruled one or more human
activities or as aspects of nature e.g. sun,
rain
 Affected
their worldview
 Believed
that all things in their world had
spiritual power, and should be honoured as
gods.
 E.G.
Earth, Water, Food Plants

Everything in life is controlled by the gods:

They bring good things:


such as rain to make the crops grow
But also bad things like:

disease, drought and bad luck.
 The
power of the gods should be
acknowledged and thanks given to them, so
as to avoid the catastrophes that their rage
could cause.
 For
this reason monuments temples and
statues were built, and sacrifices performed
as gifts to the gods.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiGpL69T
8aw&NR=1

Huitzilopochtli

Paintings show him as a
warrior, wearing a bluegreen hummingbird
headdress and carrying a
fire serpent. His face is
painted yellow and blue
and around his eyes he
wears a black mask
dotted with stars. He is
also decorated with
paper banners and
sometimes carries a
shield and darts

God of war and the rising
sun and special guardian
of Tenochtitlan.

Brought success to Aztecs

His temple was the focus
of fearsome sacrifices of
the prisoners captured by
Aztec warriors.

Victims’ heads were
strung as trophies on a
great rack.

He is the wind god and also the
god of knowledge.

He is usually a friend to the
people. He has taught them
many skills, such as picture
writing, art and science.

He taught men the calendar and
devised ceremonies.

He is shown with a beard to
represent age or an old man.

He wears the mask of a serpent
and a hat decorated with the
feathers of a quetzal bird.

He is the wind god and also the
god of knowledge.

He is usually a friend to the
people. He has taught them many
skills, such as picture writing, art
and science.

He taught men the calendar and
devised ceremonies.

He is shown with a beard to
represent age or an old man.

He wears the mask of a serpent
and a hat decorated with the
feathers of a quetzal bird.
 Tlaloc
is the rain god.
 He
is known as “he
who makes things
sprout”.
 The
rain he brings
allow crops to grow.
 Tlaloc
also controls
storms, thunder and
lightening.
 He
is shown holding
lightening in the form
of a snake in one
hand.
 In the other hand he
holds an axe which
makes thunder-bolts.
 The jaguar he
sometimes has coming
from his mouth is the
roar of thunder.
 Tlaloc is always
shown with goggle
eyes and long teeth.

The gods wanted to bring light to the world and they
asked for a volunteer to become the sun. Not one,
but two gods volunteered - the rich Tecuciztecatl and
the poor Nanauatzin. At midnight, after five days of
preparing to be sacrificed, they were taken to a
terrible fire. Tecuciztecatl was told to throw himself
into the flames. Four times he tried, but each time
the flames drove him back. Then it was Nanauatzin's
turn, and he rushed straight in. Tecuciztecatl tried
again, and he followed Nanauatzin into the fire. In
the morning, Nanauatzin rose and shone brightly in
the sky. He was the sun. Then Tecuciztecatl
appeared. He was the moon. To send them on their
way, Quetzacoatl, the Wind God, blew hard until they
moved through the heavens.
Choose an Aztec God.
1.
1.
Research the Aztec God and find his/her/its
story.
2.
1.
2.
3.
4.
3.
http://library.thinkquest.org/27981/god.html
What does the Aztec God represent or control?
What did he/she/it do that was so important to
the Aztec people?
Find a story.
Analyze the picture of the God. (What does
he/she/it wear and explain its relevance)
Written Assignment

No Title Page



All questions are answered.


Wastes Paper
Double Side if possible
See Part A
Pictures Included
Relevant
Headings
 Cited



Spelling and Grammar


EDIT YOUR WORK
Works Cited List (MLA)

One book, One website
Your task is to create an Aztec god of your own.
Remember that they had a god or goddess to
represent everything.
1.
Describe what it is they represent and this can be
more than one thing.
2.
Describe what they look like and what the things
they hold or wear represent (this should be to do
with what they are god/goddess of).
3.
Create an illustration of your god/goddess and
label each important part.
Extension (Bonus Marks)
Write a myth or story about your god/goddess.

No Title Page
 Wastes Paper

Descriptions
 What they represent
 What they are wearing represents

Pictures Included
 Drawn
 Computer Generated
 Labelled

Spelling and Grammar
 EDIT YOUR WORK