One of Mesoamerica's oldest religions, the Aztec is one. For sunrise, the Aztec gods face opposite directions. Quetzalcoatl faces East. The Sun rises from east and sways side to side. Ecatl, the wind god, receives a huge sacrifice in the morning. The wind god Ecatl then blows the sun into action after the enormous sacrifice.
Mesoamerican religion from the past
Ancient Mesoamerican religion emphasized the centrality of gods in every day life. Human sacrifices and various offerings were a regular part of the rituals. In these societies was established a complicated priestly hierarchy. The construction of temples followed the same architectural pattern with truncated pyramids containing sanctuaries on top. The religion included a shared view of the world and the use symetric symbols.
Gods
Aztec gods have been described as a variety different creatures, depending upon their respective functions. While many were revered and fearful for their violent nature, others had more positive and encouraging attributes. For example, Mictlantecuhtli was the Aztec god of death. The Aztecs believed her descent into the underworld was after she was sacrificed as a baby. After her death, she married Miclantecuhtl (another Aztec god of the dead). Mictlantecuhtli exhibited a very graphic appearance with a wide mouth, and a necklace full of eyeballs.
Sacrifices
Sacrifices are an important part the Aztec religion. They were used to obtain social status, and also to generate income. The Aztec religion relied on the payment of tributes from conquered territories, so human sacrifices were necessary. The most distinguished warriors were those who could prove their worth and earned a higher social status. They were also given special clothes and weapons by the Emperor. These rewards were recognized by the entire Aztec society.
Sacred fire
Sacred fire played a vital role in the Aztec religion. The Aztecs believed that the world consisted of three levels: the underworld, earth and heavens. The Templo Mayor (Temple of the Mayor), which was the heart of the system that linked the three realms, was the Templo Mayor. The realm of the gods was called the heavenly realm, while the world of men was called the underworld.
Tlaloc
The Aztec religion has many representations of the god Tlaloc. These representations of the rain god may not be consistent. Tlaloc is often shown in many forms and places, including caves and mountains. Tlaloc might be depicted with various items that symbolise the fertility of earth. Tlaloc is sometimes shown with land animals such as the jaguar in some depictions.
Quetzalcoatl
Many myths surround the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl. One of the most popular myths describes the serpent-headed god as the ruler of the mythic city of Tollan. But historians disagree on the historical accuracy. In fact, historians have questioned the historical accuracy many myths and legends that surround Quetzalcoatl.