Usually, females are worshipped as a way to bring fertility to women, but in the Aztec culture, there were also gods associated with blessing families with children. In this article, you will encounter some of the gods that ancient Aztecs looked towards when they wanted a pregnancy within their family.
Tonacatecuhtli
Tonacatecuhtli was a god of fertility whose name translates into “lord of our sustenance”. He was worshipped for being the power that “warmed the earth” and made everything “fruitful.” According to the Aztec culture, it was he who arranged the world into parts of land and ocean during the creation of the world. To measure his importance, although there were other creators of life, he made them as well as the planet.
Tepoztecatl
Tepoztecatl is associated with an interesting combination of duties as an ancient god. He was responsible for drunkenness, fertility, and pulque , a milky-colored alcoholic beverage made from the sap of a native plant. In Aztec myths, Tepoztecatl was known as one of the 400 children of Mayahuel , the goddess of the maguey plant and Patecatl , the god who uncovered the process of fermentation. Since Tepoztecatl was a deity of pulque, he was linked to fertility cults and other gods associated with fertility. In artistic depictions, the god was often shown carrying an ax made out of copper.
An archeological site in the Mexican state of Morelos is named after the god , El Tepozteco. It once served as a sacred location for pilgrims to travel to. Droves of people would even come as far as Chiapas and Guatemala to visit the site. A small pyramid was constructed on a platform that measured 9.5 meters tall. It was located on a mountain that overlooked the town of Tepoztlan.
Xochipilli
Not only was Xochipilli considered a fertility god, but he was also the god of art, games, beauty, dance, flowers, maize and song. Additionally, the god served as the patron of writing and painting. In his family tree, he had a twin sister named Xochiquetzal, who was a goddess associated with fertility, beauty, and female sexual power. She was also known for serving as a protector of young mothers and was a patroness to those who practiced crafts, such as weaving and embroidery.
Other gods of fertility associated with the Aztec culture include:
Patecatl
As the god of healing and fertility, Patecatl is also known as the deity who discovered peyote. Patecatl is the lord of the thirteen days from 1 Monkey to 13 House on the Aztec calendar.
Xipe Totec
In addition to being associated with fertility, Xipe Totec is also the god of agriculture, vegetation, disease, goldsmiths, silversmiths and the seasons. This is also an article devoted to him on this site.
Tlaloc
Known as the god of rain and water, Tlaloc was also worshipped as a fertility god. This deity had the power to give life and sustenance, but the people also feared him as he had the ability to send hail, thunder and lightning. Other associations with the god include caves, mountains, and demanding child sacrifices. When depicted in Aztec art, the god is often seen with goggle eyes and fangs. Look for the article devoted solely to this god.