Mictēcacihuātl

Mictēcacihuātl (Nahuatl pronunciation: [mik.teː.kaˈsi.waːt͡ɬ], meaning "Lady of the Dead"), in Aztec mythology, is a death deity and consort of Mictlāntēcutli, god of the dead and ruler of Mictlān, the lowest level of the underworld.^[1]

Mictēcacihuātl
Mictēcacihuātl as depicted in the Codex Borgia
Gender	female

Her role is to watch over the bones of the dead and preside over the ancient festivals of the dead. These festivals evolved from Aztec traditions into the modern Day of the Dead after synthesis with Spanish traditions. She now presides over the contemporary festival as well. In this respect, the pseudo-Catholic cult of Santa Muerte owes something to Mictēcacihuātl.

She is known as the "Lady of the Dead", since it is believed that she was born, then sacrificed as an infant. Mictēcacihuātl was represented with a flayed body and with jaw agape to swallow the stars during the day.^[2]

See also

• Aztecs
• Aztec Mythology
• Central America
• Latin America
• Mexico
• Pre-Columbian America
• Santa Muerte