{{Short description|Deity in Aztec myth}} {{Infobox deity | type = Aztec | name =Tepoztēcatl |image=Tepoztecatl.jpg |caption=Tepoztēcatl, described in the Codex Borgia |consort=Mayahuel |gender=male }} In Aztec mythology, '''{{lang|nci|Tepoztēcatl|italic=no}}''' {{IPA|nah|teposˈteːkat͡ɬ|}} (from {{lang|nci|tepoztli}} "workable metal" {{IPA|nah|teˈpost͡ɬi|}} and {{lang|nci|tēcatl}} "person" {{IPA|nah|ˈteːkat͡ɬ|}} ) or '''Tēzcatzontēcatl''' {{IPA|nah|teːskat͡sonˈteːkat͡ɬ|}} (from {{lang|nci|tēzcatl}} {{IPA|nah|teːskat͡ɬ|}} "mirror", {{lang|nci|tzontli}} "four hundred" {{IPA|nah|ˈt͡sont͡ɬi|}} and {{lang|nci|tēcatl}} "person" {{IPA|nah|ˈteːkat͡ɬ|}}) was the god of pulque, of drunkenness and fertility. The deity was also known by his calendrical name, {{lang|nci|Ometochtli}} ("two-rabbit").<ref name="CA98">Canto Aguilar 1998</ref> He is a consort of {{lang|nci|Mayahuel|italic=no}}, who is a mask-avatar of {{lang|nci|Xōchiquetzal|italic=no}}.
According to Aztec myth, {{lang|nci|Tepoztēcatl|italic=no}} was one of the {{lang|nci|Centzon Tōtōchtin}},<ref>Fernández 1992, 1996, p.146. {{lang|nci|Centzon Tōtōchtin}} means 'the four hundred rabbits'. In this context, four hundred should be understood as ''uncountable'' or ''innumerable''.</ref> the four hundred children of {{lang|nci|Mayahuel|italic=no}}, the goddess of the maguey plant, and {{lang|nci|Patecatl|italic=no}}, the god that discovered the fermentation process.<ref name="CA98"/> As a deity of pulque, {{lang|nci|Tepoztēcatl|italic=no}} was associated with fertility cults and {{lang|nci|Tlāloc|italic=no}}.<ref name="CA98"/> {{lang|nci|Tepoztēcatl|italic=no}} was also associated with the wind, hence deriving an alternative name of {{lang|nci|Ehecacone|italic=no}}, son of the wind.<ref name="CA98"/>
{{lang|nci|Tepoztēcatl|italic=no}} appears in the ''Mendoza Codex'' carrying a copper axe.<ref name="CA98"/>
{{lang|es|El Tepozteco|italic=no}}, in the Mexican state of {{lang|es|Morelos|italic=no}}, is an archaeological site named after the deity. The site was a sacred place for pilgrims from as far as {{lang|es|Chiapas|italic=no}} and Guatemala.<ref name="CA98"/> This site has a small pyramid built on a platform, with a combined height of {{convert|9.5|m|ft}}, located on a mountain overlooking the town of {{lang|nci|Tepoztlán|italic=no}}.<ref name="CA98"/>
==Notes== {{reflist}}
==References== {{refbegin}} * {{cite book |author=Canto Aguilar, Giselle |year=1998 |title=El Tepozteco, Morelos (Miniguía)|location=Mexico |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia|language=es}} * {{cite book |author=Fernández, Adela |orig-year=1992 |year=1996 |title=Dioses Prehispánicos de México |publisher=Panorama Editorial |location=Mexico City |isbn=968-38-0306-7 |oclc=59601185|language=es}} {{refend}}
==External links== * [http://www.tourbymexico.com/morelos/tepoztla/tepoztla.htm Tepoztlan tourist information]
{{Aztec mythology}}
Category:Aztec pulque gods Category:Fertility gods Category:Mammal deities Category:Rabbit deities