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THE “COATLICUES” AT THE TEMPLO MAYOR

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 1999

Elizabeth H. Boone
Affiliation:
Department of Art, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA

Abstract

The colossal “Coatlicue” sculpture has usually been interpreted as a representation of the female supernatural Coatlicue (Serpents Her Skirt) who gave birth to the Mexica patron deity Huitzilopochtli, or it has been identified as the cult figure of Cihuacoatl (Woman Serpent) or Tlaltecuhtli (Earth Lord). This paper offers an alternative reading of the monumental statue, one that recognizes the existence of at least three nearly identical “Coatlicues” and thus recontextualizes the monument as one of a larger set. The iconography of these great stone females points to their identity as Tzitzimime, celestial demons who were understood to descend to devour humankind if the sun were to fail. According to the Mexican chroniclers, a cadre of these fearsome monoliths dominated the sculpture progam of the Templo Mayor.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1999 Cambridge University Press

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