Coatlalopeuh

Coatlalopeuh, the Mexican indigenous name for the Virgin of Guadalupe, is an indigenous goddess, descended from the earlier versions of Earth and fertility goddesses of the indigenous peoples of Mexico.

Origin of Coatlalopeuh

In the Mexican indigenous belief system, one of the earlier deities that Coatlalopeuh descended from was the goddess Coatlicue (meaning "Skirt of Snakes") who was considered the creator. When the patriarchal Aztec-Mexica culture dominated the region, it transformed the feminine goddesses into sinister monsters and replaced their roles with masculine gods. Coatlicue became a snake god. Separating itself from the darker goddesses, the goddess Tonantzin eventually emerged as the creator. It is believed that Tonantsi planted the cactus in Mexico and created pulque.

After the Spanish conquest of Mexico, the Roman Catholic Church tried to discourage the indigenous people from using their goddesses, by relating them to prostitutes and keeping the other Catholic saints as virgins. In order to survive the Catholic cultural domination, the goddess Tonantzin had to be separated from its indigenous characteristics and thus Guadalupe was born. To be accepted by the Church, Guadalupe needed to be rid of the sexuality and serpent-related attributes of its ancestor, Coatlalopeuh.

Modern application

Coatlalopeuh has historically represented Mexican cultural identity, as well as that of the chicano movement, ever since it was used as a symbol of the Mexican independence when Miguel Hidalgo argued for its use as the flag of Mexico. However, because Coatlalopeuh is known as "she who dominates the serpents", it as also been used as a symbol for feminism, functioning as an empowering female figure. Among other works, Gloria E. Anzaldúa is known for portraying this concept.

The image of Coatlalopeuh or the Virgin of Guadalupe now can be interpreted as a modern version of the goddess, showing women as a powerful controller of her own destiny as she is often seen crushing a snake in her hand.

Bibliography

* Anzaldúa, Gloria E. (2000). "Coatlalopeuh, la que domina a los serpientes." "La diosa de las Américas". 12 p. New York: Vintage Books. ISBN 0-3757-0369-1.
* Barnes, Rhonda L. (1997). [http://www.ic.arizona.edu/~ws5001/virgin.html Demanding Social Equality: A Feminist Re-Interpretation of the Virgin of Guadalupelink title] .