The Aztec Myths A Guide To The Ancient Stories And Legends Myths

The essential guide to the world of Aztec mythology, based on Nahuatl-language sources that challenge the colonial history passed down to us by the Spanish. From their remote origins as migrating tribes to their rise as builders of empire, the Aztecs were among the most dynamic and feared peoples of ancient Mexico, with a belief system that was one of the most complex and vital in the ancient world. Historian Camilla Townsend returns to the original tales, told at the fireside by generations of Indigenous Nahuatl speakers. Along the way, she deals with human sacrifice, the raising of great temples, and the troubling legacy of the Spanish conquest. Few cultures are generally understood to have been so controlled by their religion as the Aztecs, and few religions are envisioned as being as violent and celebratory of death as theirs. In this introduction to the Aztec myths, Townsend draws from sixteenth-century historical annals and songs written down by Nahuatl-speaking peoples, now known as the Aztecs, in their own language to counter this narrative, inherited from the conquering Spaniards. In doing so, she reveals a rich tapestry of mythic tradition that defies modern expectations. Townsend retells stories ranging from the creation of the world, revealing the Aztec cosmological vision of nature and the divine, to legends of the Aztecs’ own past that show how they understood the foundation of their state and the course of their wars. She considers the impact of colonial contact on the myths and demonstrates that Indigenous engagement with the new cultural customs introduced by the Europeans never entirely uprooted old ways of thinking.

How did the jaguar get his spots? What happened to the four suns that came before our own? Where was Aztlan, mythical homeland of the Aztecs? For decades, the popular image of the Mexica people better known today as the Aztecs has been defined by the Spaniards who conquered them. Their salacious stories of pet snakes, human sacrifice and towering skull racks have masked a complex world of religious belief. To reveal the rich mythic tapestry of the Aztecs, Camilla Townsend returns to the original tales, told at the fireside by generations of Indigenous Nahuatl-speakers. Through their voices we learn the contested histories of the Mexica and their neighbours in the Valley of Mexico the foundations of great cities, the making and breaking of political alliances, the meddling of sometimes bloodthirsty gods and understand more clearly how they saw their world and their place in it. The divine principle of Ipalnemoani connected humans with all of nature and spiritual beliefs were woven through the fabric of Aztec life, from the sacred ministrations of the ticitl, midwives whose rituals saw women through childbirth, to the inevitable passage to Mictlan, our place of disappearing together the land of the dead.

This is a smart and succinct guide to the rich tradition of Japanese mythology, from the earliest recorded legends of Izanagi and Izanami, their divine offspring and the creation of Japan, to medieval tales of vengeful ghosts, through to the modern-day reincarnation of ancient deities as the heroes of mecha anime. While many around the world love Japans cultural exports, few are familiar with Japans unique mythology - enriched by Shinto, Buddhism and regional folklore. Mythology remains a living, evolving part of Japanese society, and the ways in which the people of Japan understand their myths are very different today even from a century ago, let alone over a millennium into the past. Offering much more than any competing overview of Japanese mythology, The Japanese Myths not only retells the ancient stories but also considers their place within the patterns of Japanese religions, culture and history, helping readers to understand the deep links between past and present in Japan, and the ways these myths live and grow. Joshua Frydman takes the very earliest written myths in the Kojiki and the Nihonshoki as his starting point, and from there traces Japans mythology through to post-war State Shinto, the rise of the manga industry in the 1960s, J-horror and modern-day myths. Reinventions and retellings of myth are present across all genres of contemporary Japanese culture, from its auteur cinema to renowned video games such as Okami. This book is for anyone interested in Japan, as knowing its myths allows readers to understand and appreciate its culture in a new light.

Embark On a Unique Historical Journey and Learn More about Aztecs, Their Culture, Gods, And Mythology! One of the most magnificent journeys you can undertake is embarking on a historical adventure to discover the fascinating cultures of an ancient civilization - that is precisely what this overview of Aztec culture and mythology offers. Through captivating narrative, Aztec Mythology: Gods, Heroes, Legends, and Myths of the Aztec People by Jim Barrow, will take you all the way back to the year 1325 and even before - it will be like you have your personal time machine, perfect for any history lover out there. How Aztecs founded their city, Tenochtitlan, which would later go on to become one of the largest empires in the American region? How they managed to build such a rich and interesting culture? Who were the gods that they worshipped and prayed to? What are the stories that they passed on through generations? You will find the detailed descriptions, answers to these questions, and answers to many other questions you may have about Aztecs. Here are some of the topics that this Mesoamerican mythology guide covers: The early Aztec history - where did they come from, and how they settled The blossoming Aztec society - all about their politics, art, economy, agriculture Fascinating Aztec religion explained - Complete Aztec pantheon with major and lesser deities Captivating Aztec culture and customs - main legends and myths; breakthroughs in medicine and science What happened to Aztecs and what is left of them today And much more! If you want to quench your thirst for knowledge and learn more about the magnificent culture of Aztecs, let this book take you on a unique historical journey where you will get all of that and much more. So what are you waiting for? Scroll up, click on "Buy Now with 1-Click," and Get Your Copy Now!

Though the Olmecs (1250–200 bc) were the first civilization in Mexico, the Aztecs (1325–1521) –Mesoamerica’s last imperial civilization and the most significant of the militaristic post-Classic period – are probably who first come to mind when we think of great empires of that region. Like other Mesoamerican cultures, Aztec gods and myths reflected a natural philosophy where ideas concerning life and death were linked symbolically to the earth, sky and sea in a grand cosmic scheme. Their religion was dominated by the tribal war god Huitzilopochtli, the rain/fertility god Tlaloc and the supreme deity Tezcatlipoca, the Lord of the Smoking Mirror. This fascinating collection explores the history, culture, gods, calendar, myths and tales of this people, from migration legends to the origin myth of the Five Suns. FLAME TREE 451: From mystery to crime, supernatural to horror and myth, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic.

This book is dedicated to exploring the gods and goddesses that the Aztec people on the pre-Columbian American continent worshiped, and within the pages you will find subtopics like: The origins and influences on Aztec beliefs, or in other words: Where they got it all from. The most important themes in Aztec mythology. Gods and goddesses, and their background stories, from Aztec mythology. Aztec myths about the creation of the world. Details about the Aztec empire, their art, religion, and more. Legends about Aztec women who became goddesses after they died from childbirth. Aztec mythology is intricate, complex, and the ideals behind some of their mythological beliefs were often intertwined with real life events. This book will examine how both myth and fact contributed to the culture and traditions of the Aztecs, and how these influences and some stories continue to live on throughout the centuries. Add this book to cart now.

Discover the mythology of the Aztec civilization The Aztec civilization of Central Mexico consisted of several communities with distinct cultures and languages. The Nahuatl-speaking tribes were the most popular and celebrated rituals based on their own version of myths and stories. While the Mesoamerican cultures shared many stories, rituals, and myths with the Aztecs, they were recognized as a separate community. The Aztecs were believed to come from the regions around Lake Texcoco and the Anahuac Valley. These regions collectively form the modern Mexico City we know today.

A gorgeous collection of classic myths, legends and stories which any young reader will treasure. this wonderful storybook is crammed with traditional tales of monsters and magic, powerful gods and goddesses, clever animals and much, much more: a treasury of much-loved favourites, as well as less well-known gems. Ages 4+