Mictlan

This article is about the Aztec underworld. For the rapper, see Doomtree. For the wrestler, see Mictlán (wrestler).

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Mictlan was the underworld of Aztec mythology. Most people who died went to Mictlan, although other possibilities existed (see "Other Destinations," below).^[1] Mictlan was located far to the north,^{[citation needed]} and consisted of nine distinct levels.^[1]

The journey from the first level to the ninth was difficult and took four years, but the dead were aided by the psychopomp, Xolotl. The dead had to pass many challenges, such as crossing a mountain range where the mountains crashed into each other, a field with wind that blew flesh-scraping knives, and a river of blood with fearsome jaguars.^{[citation needed]}

Mictlan was ruled by a king, Mictlantecuhtli ("Lord of the Underworld")^[2] and his wife, Mictecacihuatl ("Lady of the Underworld").^[3]

Other deities in Mictlan included Cihuacoatl (who commanded Mictlan spirits called Cihuateteo), Acolmiztli, Chalmecacihuilt, Chalmecatl and Acolnahuacatl.^{[citation needed]}

Other destinations

In addition to Mictlan, the dead could also go to a number of other destinations:

• Warriors who died in battle and those who died as a sacrifice went east and accompanied the sun during the morning.^[1]
• Women who died in childbirth went to the west and accompanied the sun when it set in the evening.^[4]
• People who died of drowning — or from other causes that were seen as linked to the rain god Tlaloc, such as certain diseases and lightning — went to a paradise called Tlalocan.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Smith, M. E. (2009). The Aztecs (2nd ed.). Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. p. 207. ISBN 978-0-631-23016-8
2. ^ Smith, M. E. (2009). The Aztecs (2nd ed.). Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. p. 206. ISBN 978-0-631-23016-8
3. ^ Soustelle, Jacques (Patrick O'Brian, translator) (1961). Daily Life of the Aztecs on the Eve of the Spanish Conquest. Stanford: Stanford University Press. p. 107.
4. ^ Coe, Michael D. (1994). Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs (4 ed.). London: Thames and Hudson. p. 183.