Ancient history

How did the Aztec think world was made?

According to Aztec mythology, the world was created by the gods through a series of cataclysmic events. In one account the world was created and destroyed four times before reaching its current form.

The first world, known as Atonatiuh ('Sun of Water') was destroyed by flood. The second world, Tlatonatiuh ('Sun of Fire') was destroyed by fire. The third world, Totonatiuh ('Sun of Earth') was destroyed by earthquakes. The fourth world, Ehecatonatiuh ('Sun of Wind') was destroyed by hurricanes.

Finally the fifth world, Nahui-Ollin ('4 movement') came to be. In this age the gods created humans, first from clay and then from maize dough. The gods then sacrificed themselves to give life to the humans, who were responsible for sustaining them through offerings and rituals.