Huhueteotl

Huhueteotl
Pantheon	Aztec

Huehueteotl name translates roughly to old god. It seems to connect the Old God to certain Mayan deities called Mam "Grandfather". Huehueteotl is frequently considered to overlap with, or be another aspect of, a central Mexican/Aztec deity associated with fire, Xiuhtecuhtli. However, Huehueteotl is characteristically depicted as an aged or even decrepit being, wrinkles are carved into the sculptures, and often with a beard, whereas Xiutecuhtli's appearance is much more youthful and vigorous, in line with his marked association with rulership and powerful warriors.

Rites and rituals

The Florentine Codex (the real codex) describes an Aztec religious observance during the feast of Izcalli (dedicated to Xiuhtecuhtli and Tlaloc; Izcalli is the Eighteenth and last month of the Aztec calander), when boys had to hunt in the swamps for small water-related animals, such as snakes, lizards, frogs and even dragonfly larvae, and present these to elders serving as the guardians of the fire deity. As a reward for the offerings, the priest would give them steamed corn dough (tamales) stuffed with amaranth greens. At this occasion the god was represented as young with turquoise and quetzal feathers for ceremonial purposes. Later during the month he appeared as aging and tired, covered with the colours of gold, black and red. Perhaps this transformation of young into old can explain the fact that in the codices, Xiuhtecuhtli appears as a vigorous young man, whereas his representations in stone show him to be aged and decrepit.

Mythology

Huhueteotl iconography has been found from around the gulf of Mexico and around central America.