Aztec God Assignment

Ms. Jeelani

 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?

 Huitzilopochtli:

 Incarnation  What

main god of the Aztec

of the Sun

did he tell his followers?

 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

 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



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.

 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=hiGpL69T

8aw&NR=1



Huitzilopochtli



Paintings show him as a warrior, wearing a bluegreen 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



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.



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.



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

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.

 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.



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.

Choose an Aztec God.

1. 1.

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

2. 1. 2. 3. 4.

3.

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

What does the Aztec God represent or control? What did he/she/it do that was so important to the Aztec people? Find a story. Analyze the picture of the God. (What does he/she/it wear and explain its relevance)

Written Assignment



No Title Page  



All questions are answered. 



Wastes Paper Double Side if possible See Part A

Pictures Included Relevant Headings  Cited  



Spelling and Grammar 



EDIT YOUR WORK

Works Cited List (MLA) 

One book, One website

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.



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