



In Aztec mythology, we see depictions and writings about star-beings known as Tzitzimitl (Tzitzimime plural). These female beings seem to be a class of goddess.





And they were terrifying.





Descriptions from the early colonial period describe them as appearing "like a dead [person] already fleshless" adorned with "hearts and hands around its neck and head". To the Tzitzimeme, we were food.









Their skeletal appearance makes clear that they are associated with death. The blue around their eyes is another icon of death in Aztec art, and their raptorine claws are often depicted red with blood.





Small round objects are often shown on their joints, which may be eyes, stars, or even small, monstrous faces. Their clothing is also replete with symbolic meaning, not only showing off high quality (thus making it clear they are no common monster) and also of a style almost always depicted on women. There are some who think that the Tzitzimitl might be formed from the souls of women who died in childbirth.

"There was great fear . . . if [the moon] finished eating the sun, so it was said, all would be in darkness; the Tzitzimimeh would descend here; they would devour us."





Human sacrifices were offered by the Aztecs to appease the Tzitzimeme, and keep them safely at bay. This is attested in artworks that show them being showered by priests in human blood. In other cases they are being fed parts of human bodies. When the Tzitzimeme did come, it was always in times of darkness. Night, eclipses, and the ending of the 52-year cycle of the Aztec calendar were the primary times. Don Francisco Chimalpahin described such an occurrence during an eclipse in 1478: "All the stars could be seen. Also at this time phantoms, omens, and demons of the kind brought by the wind, bad airs that descend from the woods."





They were even described as trying to eat the sun itself at times - the stars that appeared during a solar eclipse were believed to be the Tzitzimeme themselves.





The Queen of the Tzitzimime was a being known as Itzpapalotl - "Obsidian Butterfly". This goddess was herself a terrifying being, but who also had a protective streak. Her realm of Tamoanchan was not only the place where humanity was created, but also a paradise for the souls of dead children.

Just as her name suggested, Itzpapalotl was often depicted as having enormous butterfly wings, tipped in obsidian blades. She was as bloodthirsty as her underlings, and was well-known as a warrior goddess, who would protect children and pregnant women - especially those giving birth.





The Tzitzimeme themselves shared in this dual nature. While they were ferocious, they were also protective at times, and seemed to have the power to heal or cure disease. Offerings were made not simply to keep them from devouring humanity, but also to gain their favor.





Beyond that, they were also credited at times for bringing water, clouds, rain, and thunder - an essential, if alarming, thing for life. They were also said to help hold up the sky itself, a vital duty in the Aztec myths.





The word Tzitzimitl is thought to be made from the onomatopoeia "tsi", the sound of an arrow (mitl) as it flew through the air. This may suggest they were monsters described as flying as fast as an arrow - far faster than anyone could avoid.





Indeed . . . this was the purpose of the Tzitzimitl. When the cycle of the world ended, if the ritual fires at the beginning of each cycle could not be restarted, then they would come to wipe the world clean.





"In the second heaven they say there are certain women who have no flesh whatever, but are all bones . . . these are placed there so that when the world comes to an end, their duty will be to eat up all the men."