If they wanted to create the greatest temple, they would not demolish the old temple and built the new one. What the Aztecs did was building the new construction on the old structure. Here are some interesting facts about Aztec temples for you:. Templo Mayor is the Great Temple of Aztec. It is considered as the most important temple in Tenochtitlan. Therefore, it is called as the biggest building in Aztec. Templo Mayor was devoted for two gods in Aztec religions.
Both were the god of war, Huitzilopochtli and the god of rain and agriculture, Tlaloc. In the Nahuatl language, Templo Mayor was called huei teocalli. Get facts about Aztec religion here. Templo Mayor was constructed in Thus rich religious symbolism associated with different gods was used in these temples.
For instance, the temple of Tlaloc, the god of rain and fertility, was painted in white and blue colour which symbolised moisture and water. Religious ceremonies and festivals in Aztec society were held at the beginning of every day long month. Since the Aztecs worshipped many different gods, different temples were devoted to the worship of different gods. The most important gods for the Aztecs were Tlaloc, the god of rain and fertility, Huitzilopochtli who was the patron god of the Mexica tribe, Quetzalcoatl who was the god of civilisation and order, and Tezcatlipoca the god of destiny and fortune.
Different temples were dedicated for all these gods. For instance, the Templo Mayor had twin temples dedicated to the gods Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc. The temple at the Great Pyramid of Cholula was dedicated to the worship of Quetzalcoatl, the patron god of the Mexica people. Similarly, the temples at the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon were dedicated to Tlaloc and Chalchihuitlicue. Additionally, there were many small pyramids reserved for other gods.
The Aztecs used a variety of materials in the construction of their temples and pyramids. Since the city of Tenochtitlan was located on swampy ground, special attention was paid to making pyramids and temples with solid foundations for which stone platforms were used. Special kinds of volcanic stone called tezontle was used for the construction of these platforms.
Materials like rubble and limestone were used in the construction of the rest of the temple. They had steep double staircase at the centre with balustrades going up the sides of the steps.
For the decoration of the platform, sculpted stone blocks and skulls were used at the end of the balustrades. The Pyramids of Sun and Moon were also religious temples which were dedicated to the gods of sun and moon, Tlaloc and Chalchihuitlicue. Aztec priests managed these temples which were used for worship, prayers, and various offering to the gods, including human sacrifice. It had two shrines at the top which were dedicated to the gods Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc.
Various rituals were performed in these temples including blood-letting, music worship, and burning of tree resin. However, the supreme offering was the human sacrifice for which war captives were used. At the end of every month, religious festivities were held and humans were sacrificed on the pyramid temples. The temples at the top of Aztec pyramids were dedicated to specific gods and thus the worship varied from temple to temple. For instance, the most famous Aztec Pyramid, The Templo Mayor, had two temples at the top which were dedicated to gods Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc.
Huitzilopochtli was the patron god of the Mexica people while Tlaloc was the god of rain and fertility. The Pyramid of the Moon was dedicated to Chalchihuitlicue who was the goddess of lakes and streams.
Aztecs worshipped many gods who served specific purposes and were thus separately worshipped. Various other gods and goddesses in the Aztec pantheon included Xiuhtecuhtli the god of fire, Centeotl the god of maize, Citlalicue the goddess of the Milky Way, Tlaltecuhtli the god of the earth, Tlaloc the rain god, and others.
Historians believe that the more than 3, structures on the site are the remains of a Mayan city called Yax Mutal, which was the capital of one of the most powerful kingdoms of the ancient empire.
New discoveries are still being unearthed in the area, providing even more insight into the culture and Live TV. This Day In History. History Vault. Early Aztec History. Recommended for you. Aztec Aqueducts. Mayan Scientific Achievements. Aqueducts of Palenque. Maya The Maya Empire, centered in the tropical lowlands of what is now Guatemala, reached the peak of its power and influence around the sixth century A.
Teotihuacan Teotihuacan is an ancient Mesoamerican city located 30 miles 50 km northeast of modern-day Mexico City.
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