| Keyword |
Description |
| Winter solstice |
Is the day of the year with the shortest daylight and the longest night |
| Temple |
A special building where people honor and connect with their gods |
| Myth |
A traditional story that explains how the world works or how something began |
The Mexica, also called Aztecs, lived in what is now Mexico and saw the winter solstice as the moment when the sun almost loses to darkness, but then starts to grow stronger again. For them, this time of year honored their main god, Huitzilopochtli, the “Sun Lord,” who protected their city, led them in war, and brought them victory over their enemies. His name in Nahuatl means “Left-Handed Hummingbird,” showing that even a small bird can be brave and aggressive when defending its home. People believed that their world survived because the sun, like a warrior, fought every day against the night.
The story says that Huitzilopochtli’s mother, Coatlicue, became pregnant in a strange way after finding a magical feather while sweeping a temple. Her many sons and her daughter Coyolxauhqui felt angry and ashamed, so they decided to kill her before the baby was born. Coatlicue hid in a sacred mountain and there gave birth to Huitzilopochtli, who appeared fully armed and ready to fight for his mother. He defeated his brothers and cut off Coyolxauhqui’s head; she became the moon, and his brothers became the stars, which is why the sun seems to win over the night again and again.
In their capital, Tenochtitlán, this myth was turned into real-life ceremonies at the Templo Mayor. At the top of the temple stood Huitzilopochtli, and at the bottom was a stone carving of Coyolxauhqui, like the moon beneath the powerful sun. Around the winter solstice, they held a special feast called Panquetzaliztli, the “Raising of Flags,” with races, songs, dances, decorations, and sacrifices of war captives, which they believed gave strength to the sun and kept the universe in balance. Even though the original statue of Huitzilopochtli is gone, the moon goddess stone was found again in 1978, helping people today learn about this intense and important festival.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English |
Spanish |
| Winter solstice |
Solsticio de invierno |
| Myth |
Mito |
| Universe in balance |
Universo en balance |
Time to discuss
- Why might people create stories to explain the sun, the moon, and the stars?
- Do celebrations and festivals help a community stay united? Why or why not?
- Is it important to learn about ancient religions even if we do not share their beliefs?
Let's write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph:
- Imagine you watch the Panquetzaliztli festival. What sights, sounds, and feelings would you describe?
- What part of the Huitzilopochtli and Coyolxauhqui story seems most interesting or surprising to you, and why?
