The Fifth Sun - Aztec Myths - Extra Mythology
Extra History・8 minutes read
Myths are significant cultural tales that shape beliefs and practices, such as the Aztecs' belief in sun creation and destruction by gods that led to The Fifth Sun. Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl played crucial roles in shaping the world through their actions, leading to the current age of blood sacrifices to thank the gods, intertwined with Aztec beliefs and practices.
Insights
- Myths are essential narratives that shape cultures and provide a foundation for beliefs, often blending history and storytelling.
- The Aztec civilization's belief in cyclical creation and destruction of suns, along with the practice of blood offerings every fifty-two years, underscores their complex spiritual worldview and rituals.
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Recent questions
What are myths?
Stories shaping culture, not necessarily false tales.
Who are Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl?
Gods shaping the world through their actions.
What is the significance of blood sacrifices in Aztec beliefs?
Integral practice to show gratitude to gods.
How did the Aztecs view the creation and destruction of suns?
Believed gods created and destroyed suns, leading to current age.
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Summary
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Aztec Myths: Gods, Creation, and Sacrifice
- Myths are not untrue stories but tales that don't neatly fit into history, forming the foundation of a culture.
- The Aztecs believed in the creation and destruction of suns by gods, leading to the current age, The Fifth Sun, which will also end in ruin.
- Every fifty-two years, the Aztecs offered blood to the gods as gratitude, a practice integral to their beliefs.
- The god-goddess of duality created itself before producing four sons, including Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl, who played significant roles in shaping the world.
- Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl's actions led to the creation of different suns, each ending in catastrophe and transformation of people into various forms.
- The gods, after numerous calamities, finally created a new sun with the sacrifice of Nanahuatzin, leading to the current age and the belief in blood sacrifices to thank the gods.
- CuriosityStream, a streaming service, offers a vast array of documentaries and non-fiction content for $2.99 a month, with a free month available using the code "extracredits" at curiositystream.com/extracredits.
