Tōnatiuh
Aztec deity of the sun and of the cardinal direction of east / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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In Mesoamerican culture, Tonatiuh (Nahuatl: Tōnatiuh [toːˈnatiʍ] "Movement of the Sun") is an Aztec sun deity of the daytime sky who rules the cardinal direction of east.[1] According to Aztec Mythology, Tonatiuh was known as "The Fifth Sun" and was given a calendar name of naui olin, which means "4 Movement".[2] Represented as a fierce and warlike god, he is first seen in Early Postclassic art of the Pre-Columbian civilization known as the Toltec.[3] Tonatiuh's symbolic association with the eagle alludes to the Aztec belief of his journey as the present sun, travelling across the sky each day,[4] where he descended in the west and ascended in the east. It was thought that his journey was sustained by the daily sacrifice of humans.[5] His Nahuatl name can also be translated to "He Who Goes Forth Shining"[6] or "He Who Makes The Day."[7] Tonatiuh was thought to be the central deity on the Aztec calendar stone but is no longer identified as such.[8][9] In Toltec culture, Tonatiuh is often associated with Quetzalcoatl in his manifestation as the morning star aspect of the planet Venus.[10]
Tonatiuh | |
---|---|
Sun deity of the daytime sky and ruled the cardinal direction of east | |
Abode | Sky |
Symbol | Sun, Eagle |
Gender | Agender |
Region | Mesoamerica |
Ethnic group | Aztec (Nahua) |
Personal information | |
Siblings | Quetzalcoatl |
Consort | None |
Children | None |