Printable Coloring Pages
Aztec Mythology Coloring Pages
Welcome to our Aztec Mythology coloring pages section.
Aztec mythology is rich with vibrant gods, heroic legends, and cosmological tales that explain the origins of the world and the forces of nature. Central to their beliefs were gods like Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent deity of wind and wisdom, and Huitzilopochtli, the fierce god of the sun and war. Stories of creation often feature dramatic battles between gods, the creation and destruction of multiple worlds, and the sacrificial acts that maintain cosmic order. Mythical creatures, such as the Cipactli, a primordial sea monster, and legendary heroes, play pivotal roles in these narratives. This collection delves into the captivating world of Aztec mythology, bringing to life the powerful deities, epic stories, and mystical creatures that shaped the spiritual and cultural fabric of the Aztec civilization.
Ixcacao coloring pages:
Ixcacao, also known as the "Goddess of Chocolate," is revered in Mesoamerican mythology, particularly among the Aztec and Maya cultures. She is the goddess of cacao, the plant from which chocolate is made, and is associated with fertility, abundance, and the earth. Ixcacao is often depicted holding cacao pods or surrounded by elements of nature, symbolizing her role in providing sustenance and wealth. As a nurturing deity, she represents the nurturing aspect of the earth, bringing the gift of cacao to humanity, which was highly valued both as a food and as a form of currency. Her worship highlights the importance of cacao in daily life and its cultural significance in rituals and ceremonies.
Quetzalcoatl coloring pages:
Quetzalcoatl: The Feathered Serpent, Quetzalcoatl is revered as a god of wind, air, and learning. Depicted with vibrant feathers and serpent scales, he embodies wisdom, life, and the breath of creation. Quetzalcoatl's legend speaks of his role in teaching humanity essential skills such as agriculture, the calendar, and the arts of civilization. He is also a creator deity who, according to myth, helped create humankind by sprinkling his blood on bones from previous worlds. As a symbol of renewal and enlightenment, Quetzalcoatl is associated with the morning star, Venus, reflecting his dual nature as both a bringer of light and a guide through the darkness.
Huitzilopochtli coloring pages:
Huitzilopochtli: Known as the god of war and the sun, Huitzilopochtli is depicted as a fierce warrior armed with a serpent-like weapon. His name means "Hummingbird of the South," and he is often shown adorned with hummingbird feathers, symbolizing his relentless energy and swiftness in battle. Huitzilopochtli's myth tells of his birth on Coatepec Mountain, where he emerged fully armed to defeat his siblings who sought to kill their mother. As the patron god of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, he guided the Aztecs to their promised land, emphasizing his role as both a protector and a symbol of their military might.
Tlaloc coloring pages:
Tlaloc: The god of rain and fertility, Tlaloc is a powerful deity depicted with goggle eyes, fangs, and a headdress of water lilies. He embodies the life-giving and destructive powers of water, controlling rain, storms, and droughts. Tlaloc presides over the agricultural cycles, essential for the sustenance of the Aztec civilization. His domain includes Tlalocan, a paradise for those who died by drowning or other water-related deaths. Offerings to Tlaloc often included sacrifices of children to ensure his favor and the continued fertility of the land, highlighting the deep reverence and fear he commanded.
Chalchiuhtlicue coloring pages:
Chalchiuhtlicue: The goddess of rivers, lakes, and all water, Chalchiuhtlicue, whose name means "She of the Jade Skirt," is a nurturing deity associated with purity and fertility. She is depicted with flowing garments that symbolize the life-giving properties of water. Chalchiuhtlicue is responsible for providing fresh water to crops, ensuring their growth and the sustenance of life. In her role, she embodies the nourishing and cleansing aspects of water, making her an essential figure in agricultural and daily life. She also oversees childbirth, reflecting her connection to life and creation.
Centeotl coloring pages:
Centeotl: The god of maize, Centeotl, is central to the Aztec agricultural society. He is depicted with corn and other agricultural symbols, signifying his importance in ensuring the growth and harvest of maize, a staple crop in the Aztec diet. Centeotl's blessings are essential for nourishment, prosperity, and survival. His presence in festivals and rituals highlights the deep connection between the Aztecs and their reliance on agriculture. The god's myth includes his birth from the earth, emphasizing the bond between the soil and the essential sustenance it provides.
Cihuacoatl coloring pages:
Cihuacoatl, known as the "Snake Woman," is a powerful and complex goddess in Aztec mythology.
She is depicted as a fierce warrior woman, often holding a shield and wielding a weapon, symbolizing her protective and combative nature. Cihuacoatl is associated with motherhood, fertility, and childbirth, embodying the strength and pain of bringing new life into the world.
She is also linked to the earth and agriculture, as well as to war and governance, serving as a patroness of women who die in childbirth, whom the Aztecs believed to be honored like fallen warriors. Additionally, Cihuacoatl played a significant role in the myth of the creation of humankind, helping to grind the bones of past generations to create new life. Her dual nature as both a nurturer and a warrior highlights the Aztec appreciation for the balance of creation and destruction.
Coyolxauhqui coloring pages:
Coyolxauhqui: The goddess of the moon, Coyolxauhqui, is known for her tragic tale of rebellion against her brother Huitzilopochtli. She is often depicted dismembered, symbolizing the phases of the moon and her eternal struggle. Coyolxauhqui's story is a dramatic one, where she led her siblings in an attempt to kill their mother, Coatlicue, only to be thwarted and slain by Huitzilopochtli. Her story reflects the moon's changing phases and her eternal punishment. This tale highlights themes of family, power, and transformation, underscoring the complex nature of Aztec mythology.
Huixtocihuatl coloring pages:
Huixtocihuatl, on the other hand, is a goddess associated with salt and the sea. She is considered the goddess of salt and is often depicted as a figure related to water and fertility. Huixtocihuatl's role in Aztec mythology is linked to the production and use of salt, an important resource in daily life and various rituals.
Itzpapalotl coloring pages:
Itzpapalotl, known as the "Obsidian Butterfly," is a fearsome goddess in Aztec mythology. She is associated with the Tzitzimimeh, star demons who threaten to devour the world during solar eclipses. Itzpapalotl is depicted with butterfly wings adorned with obsidian blades, symbolizing her fierce and deadly nature. As a ruler of Tamoanchan, the paradise of the west where human souls are said to originate, she embodies both creation and destruction. Itzpapalotl's dual nature as a nurturer and a warrior highlights the Aztec belief in the interconnectedness of life and death.
Mictlantecuhtli coloring pages:
Mictlantecuhtli: The lord of the underworld, Mictlantecuhtli, is depicted as a skeletal figure adorned with bones and skulls. He rules over Mictlan, the realm of the dead, embodying death and the afterlife. Mictlantecuhtli's fearsome appearance serves as a reminder of the inevitability of death and the importance of the afterlife in Aztec belief. He presides over the nine levels of the underworld, where souls must navigate a treacherous journey to reach their final resting place. His presence in rituals and ceremonies underscores the Aztec reverence for the cycle of life and death.
Mixcoatl coloring pages:
Mixcoatl, known as the "Cloud Serpent," is a prominent deity in Aztec mythology associated with hunting, war, and the Milky Way. He is often depicted as a fierce hunter, armed with a bow and arrows, and adorned with hunting gear and animal skins, symbolizing his role as the god of the hunt. Mixcoatl's name reflects his connection to clouds and storms, emphasizing his association with the natural elements and his role in providing sustenance through hunting.
Mixcoatl is also closely linked to the Milky Way and the stars, embodying the celestial aspect of his character. He is considered a father figure among the gods, having fathered many important deities, including Quetzalcoatl. His mythology includes tales of his adventures and battles, demonstrating his strength and skill as a warrior. Mixcoatl's significance extends beyond hunting, as he embodies the harmony between humans and nature, the importance of survival skills, and the connection between the earthly and celestial realms.
Ometeotl coloring pages:
Ometeotl is a complex deity in Aztec mythology, embodying the principle of duality in the universe. Representing both male and female aspects as Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, Ometeotl unites them to create harmony and balance. Residing in Omeyocan, the highest heaven, Ometeotl oversees the creation and maintenance of the cosmos, symbolizing the interconnectedness of creation and destruction, light and darkness, and life and death. This abstract deity embodies the philosophical principles of duality, reflecting the Aztec understanding of the universe's inherent balance and the complementary nature of opposing forces.
Tezcatlipoca coloring pages:
Tezcatlipoca: The Smoking Mirror, Tezcatlipoca, is a god of night, sorcery, and destiny. Often depicted with a black obsidian mirror, he is associated with the stars and the darkness, embodying both creation and destruction, and the ever-changing fate of humanity. Tezcatlipoca's dual nature as both a benefactor and a deceiver makes him a complex and multifaceted deity. He is known for his rivalry with Quetzalcoatl and his role in the cosmic balance. Tezcatlipoca's influence extends to various aspects of life, including warfare, magic, and fate, making him a powerful and enigmatic figure in Aztec mythology.
Tlazolteotl coloring pages:
Tlazolteotl: The goddess of purification, fertility, and childbirth, Tlazolteotl, is known as the "Eater of Filth." She is depicted cleansing sins and impurities, embodying the duality of creation and destruction. Tlazolteotl's role in childbirth highlights the sacred cycle of life and her connection to fertility and renewal. She is also associated with midwives and healers, playing a crucial role in both physical and spiritual purification. Tlazolteotl's influence extends to moral and ethical aspects of life, where she offers absolution from sins, underscoring the importance of redemption in Aztec belief.
Tonatiuh coloring pages:
Tonatiuh: The sun god, Tonatiuh, is central to the Aztec pantheon, representing the fifth and current sun. He is depicted as a radiant figure, embodying the energy and warmth of the sun, essential for life and growth. Tonatiuh's daily journey across the sky symbolizes the eternal struggle against darkness, reflecting the Aztec belief in cycles of creation and destruction. His demand for human sacrifice underscores the importance of maintaining the cosmic balance and ensuring the sun's continued existence. Tonatiuh's influence permeates various aspects of Aztec life, from agriculture to warfare, highlighting his significance as a life-giving force.
Xipe Totec coloring pages:
Xipe Totec: The Flayed One, Xipe Totec, is the god of agriculture, seasons, and renewal. He is depicted wearing the skin of a sacrificed victim, symbolizing the shedding of the old for new growth. Xipe Totec's rituals involve the wearing of flayed skins, representing rebirth and regeneration. His worship is tied to the agricultural cycle, where the old crop must die for the new to flourish. Xipe Totec's influence extends to warfare and disease, where he is seen as a purifier and healer. His complex nature embodies the interconnectedness of life, death, and renewal.
Xiuhtecuhtli coloring pages:
Xiuhtecuhtli: The god of fire and time, Xiuhtecuhtli, is depicted with flames and turquoise, embodying the eternal flame of life and the passage of time. He is a guardian of the hearth and a symbol of renewal and continuity. Xiuhtecuhtli's presence is felt in daily life, where the hearth fire represents the center of the home and community. His connection to time and the calendar underscores his role in the cyclical nature of existence. Xiuhtecuhtli's worship involves rituals to maintain the sacred fire, ensuring the stability and prosperity of the Aztec people.
Xochipilli coloring pages:
Xochipilli, the "Prince of Flowers," is a god of beauty, art, dance, and fertility in Aztec mythology. He is often depicted as a youthful and vibrant figure adorned with flowers, butterflies, and musical instruments, embodying the joy and creativity of life. Xochipilli is associated with the pleasures of the senses and the arts, including music, poetry, and painting.
As the patron of games and feasts, he represents the festive and celebratory aspects of Aztec culture. His connection to fertility extends to agriculture, where he is honored as a deity who ensures the growth of crops and the prosperity of the land. Xochipilli's joyful and artistic nature highlights the importance of beauty, creativity, and celebration in the Aztec world.
Xochiquetzal coloring pages:
Xochiquetzal, the "Precious Feather Flower," is the goddess of beauty, love, fertility, and the arts. She embodies youth and vitality, often depicted as a beautiful, young woman adorned with flowers and feathers. As the patroness of lovers, artisans, and weavers, she symbolizes the creative and life-giving forces. Xochiquetzal is celebrated for her connection to love, artistic expression, and the renewal of life, providing blessings in childbirth and creative endeavors.
Xolotl coloring pages:
Xolotl is the god of fire and lightning, often depicted as a dog-headed deity, embodying both protection and transformation. He is the twin brother of Quetzalcoatl and serves as a crucial guide for souls in the underworld, Mictlan. Xolotl is associated with death, the evening star (Venus), and the transformation between life and the afterlife. He plays a vital role in escorting the sun through the underworld each night, ensuring its rebirth at dawn, which symbolizes renewal and continuity.
Xolotl's connection to dogs, revered as guides for the deceased, underscores his role as a protector and guide for souls on their perilous journey to the afterlife. His dual nature as both a fearsome and benevolent figure highlights the complex understanding of life, death, and rebirth in Aztec mythology.
Aztec mythology originated from the Aztec civilization, which thrived in central Mexico. The regions where Aztec culture and mythology were most prominent include what is now modern-day Mexico
The heart of the Aztec Empire was in the Valley of Mexico, with the capital city, Tenochtitlan, located on an island in Lake Texcoco. This area now encompasses Mexico City, the capital of modern-day Mexico. The surrounding regions, including the states of Mexico, Puebla, Morelos, Tlaxcala, and parts of Veracruz, were also significant to the Aztec civilization.
The Aztec civilization was one of the most powerful and influential societies in Mesoamerica before the Spanish conquest in the early 16th century. Their mythology, religion, and cultural practices were deeply connected to their environment, including their agricultural cycles, celestial observations, and rituals involving human sacrifice. These practices influenced a vast region and left a lasting legacy in Mexican culture and history. The Aztecs built impressive architectural structures, created intricate art, and developed a complex society with a rich tradition of myths that explained their world and reinforced their social and political structures.