AZTEC GOD ASSIGNMENT

Ms. Jeelani

AZTECS: BELIEFS

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?

AZTECS: BELIEFS Huitzilopochtli: main god of the Aztec

Incarnation of the Sun

What did he tell his followers?

BELIEFS CONTINUED

AZTEC BELIEFS 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

AZTEC BELIEFS

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

AZTEC BELIEFS

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.

HOW TO GIVE HONOUR: 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=hiGpL69T8aw&NR=1

EXAMPLES OF GODS Huitzilopochtli

Paintings show him as a warrior, wearing a blue-green 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

HUITZILOPOCHTLI(HUMMINGBIRD) 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.

QUETZALCOATL(FEATHERED SERPENT) 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.

QUETZALCOATL 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 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.

TLALOC 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.

CLOSE YOUR EYES…

THE SUN AND MOON STORY 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.

AZTEC GOD ASSIGNMENT (PART A)1. Choose an Aztec God.

1. http://library.thinkquest.org/27981/god.html

2. Research the Aztec God and find his/her/its story.

1. What does the Aztec God represent or control?

2. What did he/she/it do that was so important to the Aztec people?

3. Find a story. 4. Analyze the picture of the God. (What does

he/she/it wear and explain its relevance)

3. Written Assignment

CHECKLIST – PART A No Title Page

Wastes Paper Double Side if possible

All questions are answered. See Part A

Pictures Included Relevant Headings Cited

Spelling and Grammar EDIT YOUR WORK

Works Cited List (MLA) One book, One website

AZTEC GOD ASSIGNMENT (PART B)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.

CHECKLIST (PART B) 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