Xipe Totec - Research Paper Example

Xipe Totec The Aztecs lived in central Mexico from 14th to 15th century. The Aztecs civilization and culture is recognized through archaeological evidence found in archaeological sites such as Templo Mayor. The Aztecs worshipped many deities such as Xipe Totec. Xipe Totec is the oldest Aztec deities. The portrait or picture of Xipe Totec depicts an image of Xipe Totec extracted from Florentine Codex. Xipe Totec among the Aztec people was the god of regeneration and renewal, symbolized by wearing and flaying of the skins of those who were sacrificed. Xipe Totec always wore a human skin on his head as part of his role as the god of regeneration and renewal. As a god of regeneration and renewal, Xipe Totec was regarded as the god of agriculture and earth. Regeneration and renewal was very significant among the Aztec people who were primarily an agricultural society (Jovinelly and Netelkos 32). Aztec people believed that Xipe Totec who was powerful and strong sent the rains and that earth’s fertility is the work of the gods. There was strong union between war and agriculture among the Aztec people within the realm of the flayed deity or gods. In preparation for war, foreign soldiers were unable to escape and thus were caught alive. They were used for sacrificial purposes of which Xipe Totec was a patron. These events happened outside Xipe Totec’s dwelling place and incorporated a foreign soldier being tied to a large stone. The captive was given weapons and little in the way of defending himself. He was then confronted by four armed Aztec warriors who fought with him until he was hurt. Lastly, a sacred ritual of sacrifice was conducted by a priest who extracted his heart from the body. The Aztecs conducted ceremonious events to celebrate their life. For instance, they would conduct or play a series of mock confrontations between groups of young adults. One group wore skins made from war captives and sat on mats. Xipe Totec was present in the ceremony dressed in the skin (World Book Encyclopedia 1000). The opposing side approached the relaxed and seated group, and provoked them in a mock war with their taunting. They would retaliate and chase their opponents. A person who was would succeed to catch his opponent could confine him to jail and awarded a gift of hanging over personal ownership. In regards to Xipe engagement in cults, it has been theorized that the origin of Xipe relate to a cult believed to be responsible for human liberation. This illustrates that the skin and the flesh of humanity is what is keeping the soul captive thus making Xipe Totec a god of hostage or bondage (River 74). Not only did Xipe Totec participate in sacred rituals, but also the Aztecs had a conviction that he was the deity that sent eye and skin problems to the earth. The emergence of these convictions or believes have been traced to distinct renditions of Xipe Totec often shown with bursting or blistering eye. This is symbolic to the Aztecs in that it shows one of the motivators for sacrifices in the Aztec culture. Therefore, the Aztec’s believed that in order to achieve enlightenment and inversion, it was significant to conduct sacrifice. Xipe Totec also had a great influence to the craft industry in that Xipe was linked with obsidian artisan. The ceremony would be followed by a visit to people’s houses where they would ask for alms in exchange for blessing Xipe Totec. Xipe Totec tells us much about the culture of the Aztec people. It reveals that the Aztecs were primarily an agricultural culture that relied on farming for their livelihood. In addition, it is easy to realize that these people were dedicated to their religion in the sense that through the picture of Xipe Totec, there is evidence of human sacrifice that was prevalence in their ceremonies to the gods. The dress was also a significant part of the Aztec faith and daily life style. The Aztec people had an advanced civilization for their government participation, religious faith, and family life they lived a productive and prosperous life. The Aztecs were primarily religious. For instance, they worshipped many deities such Xipe Totec each with distinct role in every aspect of life. Xipe Totec was responsible for renewal and regeneration. Ceremonies played a significant role in the Aztec culture during agricultural seasons. During these ceremonies, human sacrifice was given to the gods as an appreciation for protection and good harvest. Mostly, war captives or children were sacrificed to the gods. They believed that when the gods were given human blood and heart, it gave them strength. From the Xipe Totec picture, it is clear that Xipe was the god of rain or spring and of agriculture. As a symbol to depict his role and place in Aztec society, he wore the skin of a human being. The Aztec people valued family life. The men were hunters while women were expected to remain at home and perform household chores such as cooking and grooming. Young boys received education from their fathers while girls remained at home with their mothers to learn household work. This depicts that Aztec culture encouraged gendered roles. The Aztecs expressed their views via art, music, science, and craft. Music was very significant since it played a vital role in religious ceremonies and rituals (Becker 199). The Aztecs beauty or aesthetics were expressed via jewelry made of precious stones. Headdresses made from feathers were seen as beautiful among the Aztecs. Aztec women had long hair that was considered elegant and stylish. Aztecs conception of aesthetics was that adornment together with tasteful colors made an individual beautiful (Becker 194). Once the object portraying Xipe Totec is sold to the museum, the meaning will not be altered because it is a form of preserving some of the ancient cultures for the coming generation. The museum curators will take good care of the object because of its historical significance. In sum, the manner in which the Aztecs dressed is in association to their social status, government responsibilities, aesthetics, and religion. The purpose of the dress varies with every element of the Aztec culture and daily life. Aztec people valued beauty as it is signified via gold jewellery and lots of color. They had many deities who they thought gave them blessings. Works Cited Bricker, Victoria. Supplement to the Handbook of Middle American Indians. The Aztecs, 1.1 (1981):193-209. Print. Jovinelly, Joann and Netelkos, Jason. The Crafts and Culture of the Aztecs. Boston: Rosen Publishing group, 2003. Print. River, Charles. The World’s Greatest Civilizations: The History and Culture of the Aztec. New York: Kindle Books, 2010. Print. World Book Encyclopedia. Aztecs. New York: Kindle Books, 1996. Print. Read More