The Mythology of the Aztec and Maya An illustrated encyclopedia of the gods, myths and legends of the Aztecs, Maya and other peoples of ancient Mexico and central America, with over 200 fine art illustrations and photographs

by Phillips, Charles

• ISBN13: 9781844762361
• ISBN10: 184476236X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-04-10
• Publisher: Southwater

Summary

A comprehensive guide to the gods and goddesses, spirits and demons, myths and legends of Mexico and Central America.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 6
Aztec History and Mythology	p. 8
Unlocking the Secrets of Maya Society	p. 10
Creation and the First Peoples	p. 12
The Power in the Centre: Cosmology	p. 14
The Making of the Earth	p. 16
Order from Chaos: Maya Creation Stories	p. 18
Both One and Two: Aztec Creation Stories	p. 20
The Anger of the Gods	p. 22
The Hero Twins and Seven Macaw	p. 24
The Triumph of the Hero Twins	p. 26
The People of Corn	p. 28
Earth and Sky	p. 30
Life Under the Four Suns	p. 32
Dawn of the Fifth Sun	p. 34
The Celestial Weaving Girl	p. 36
Myths of the Night Sky	p. 38
Many Faces of the Sun God	p. 40
Bringers of Rain	p. 42
Deluge: The Universal Flood	p. 44
Tales of the Gods	p. 46
A Crowded Pantheon	p. 48
Lord of the Smoking Mirror	p. 50
The Originator of War	p. 52
Dark Challenger by Night	p. 54
The Plumed Serpent	p. 56
Quetzalcotal and the Raft of Snakes	p. 58
The Tribal War God	p. 60
Hummingbird of the Left	p. 62
Divine Creatures	p. 64
Waters, Fertility and Harvest	p. 66
The Sacrifice of Blood and Water	p. 68
Ancient Lifegivers	p. 70
Rain Sun and Water Sun	p. 72
The Flayed Lord	p. 74
Mother Earth and her Flowers	p. 76
The Gods of Maize	p. 78
The Gift of Pulque	p. 80
How Maize was Tamed	p. 82
Sex, Pregnancy and Birth	p. 84
After Death	p. 86
The Paradise of the Flower Goddess	p. 88
The Bacabs and the Cosmic Tree	p. 90
The Journey to Mictlan	p. 92
Beyond the Water	p. 94
The Hero Twins and the Underworld	p. 96
Risen from the Underworld	p. 98
Return to Xibalba	p. 100
Xibalba Tamed	p. 102
Quetzalcoatl and his Twin in Mictlan	p. 104
Myths and History	p. 106
Toltec Wanderings	p. 108
The Golden Reigh of Topiltzin	p. 110
The Divine Prince	p. 112
How the Toltecs Fell	p. 114
The Origin of the Mexica	p. 116
The Cactus and the Eagle	p. 118
The Quiche Maya Seek a Home	p. 120
Visions of Triumph and Downfall	p. 122
An Empire Lost, An Empire Won	p. 124
Index	p. 126
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