Kravitz is gay and the romantic love interest of Taako, one of the main protagonists. Despite their Western origin, many people will refer to both the Death Note characters and the folklorical shinigami using the Japanese name instead of the English translation or even "Grim Reaper". The term colloquially refers to deities that either collect or rule over the dead, rather than those deities who determine the time of death. Aztecs depicted Mictecacihuatl with a skull face, a skirt made from serpents, and sagging breasts. "After consulting his mistress Ereshkigal, the queen of the Nether World, he admits Ishtar" Kramer, "Ishtar in the Nether World According to a New Sumerian Text", The dwelling one went to after death varied depending on where one died, at the battlefield or not. [35][circular reference], Death is the name of one of "The Endless" in the DC Universe. In the Sailor Moon franchise, the last Sailor Guardian (of the Sol System) introduced is Sailor Saturn. According to Aztec mythology, at the origin of time (the "First Sun"), the gods Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca began to create the world. Top image: Dia de los Muertos carnival. "MACARIA (Makaria) - Greek Goddess of Blessed Death", "Classical Mythology: Hades Takes a Wife: Persephone", "THANATOS - Greek God of Death (Roman Mors)", "KALMA - the Finnish Goddess of Death (Finnish mythology)", "TUONI - the Finnish God of the Underworld (Finnish mythology)", https://www.aswangproject.com/psychopomps-death-guides-philippines/, http://www.azteccalendar.com/god/Mictlantecuhtli.html, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_death_deities&oldid=1001875488, Articles needing expert attention with no reason or talk parameter, Articles needing expert attention from April 2018, Religion articles needing expert attention, Articles lacking reliable references from August 2019, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2013, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. In the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, especially The Silmarillion, Nàmo AKA Lord Mandos is the Doomsman of the Valar, Judge of the Dead and Lord of the Halls of Mandos (where Elves await reincarnation and humans retreat before making the Journey into the Beyond). Manila. He even remarks on being called the Grim Reaper by some societies. Our understanding of the mythology of the Mayans comes from the scholarly interpretation of these symbols, combined with accounts made in early colonial times. Aztec mythology is the body or collection of myths of Aztec civilization of Central Mexico. He is the lord of the "Mictlan", the land of the dead. While Halloween has its origins in pagan and Christian traditions, Day of the Dead has indigenous roots as a celebration of the Aztec goddess of death. Press. National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Mict-lan-te-cuht-li) or Lord of the Land of the Dead was the Aztec god of death and worshipped across Mesoamerica. The current sun was a god known as Tonatiuh. Sínúpan Singsing: Center for Kapampángan Cultural Heritage. (1917). Jocano, F. L. (1968). Known for being the goddess who collects souls and takes them to Sulad with her boat. Nov 3, 2013 - Images of gods, monsters and anything associated with the mythology from the Aztec empire of Meso America. The Transformers mythos features the character of Mortilus, a Cybertronian deity who represents death and who later betrayed his brethren and was destroyed, leading to the longevity of the Transformer race. Learn Religions. Xochitlicue was the Aztec goddess of fertility, and therefore also of life, death and rebirth. Ruether, Rosemary Radford. Mayahuel Aztec goddess who discovered and introduced the gods to pulque. Cline, Austin. She wears skulls on her breasts and is … the source of souls for people born on the sixth day of the 13-day week. Mictlantecuhtli (pron. He is portrayed as existing alongside God since the beginning of time and being so ancient he cannot remember when he came into existence; he may even be older than God. Emperor(s) of Youdu (Capital City of the Underworld). A list of deities from Aztec mythology. In the Marvel Comics Universe, the personification of death is Mistress Death. However, all these types are included in this article. He is usually portrayed wearing a flayed human skin representing the death of the old and the growth of the new vegetation. In the mythology of the Aztec people, the ancient culture of central Mexico, Mictecacihuatl is literally "lady of the dead." Aztec God of the Underworld. Along with her husband, Miclantecuhtl, Mictecacihuatl ruled over the land of Mictlan, the lowest level of the underworld where the dead reside. In the show he is the oldest and most powerful of the Four Horsemen (Death, Famine, War and Pestilence). Balance of sensuality and evil. She created all life, as well as the stars, moon and sun. In the CW TV show Supernatural, Death makes a crucial appearance. Nicdao, A. In any case, by the time the Spanish conquistadors invaded in 1519, the Aztecs recognized a wide pantheon of gods, which included a goddess of death and the underworld named Mictecacihuatl. They were likened to the spirits of male warriors who died in violent conflict, because childbirth was conceptually equivalent to battle in Aztec culture. Some might call her a psychopomp, she guides those who have died to the other side safely. Fairly elaborate stories surround Mictecacihuatl's husband, Miclantecuhtl, but fewer about her specifically. Mictecacihuatl is often represented with a defleshed body and with jaws wide open, said to be in order that she can swallow the stars and make them invisible during the day. Among the major Aztec gods and goddesses, Mictlantecuhtli was the deity of death and the underworld and was usually associated with creatures like owls, spiders, and bats (along with the direction of the south). An Introduction to the Kapampángan Language; Interview on Láwû. Tlazoltéotl was an important and complex earth-mother goddess. Nanautzin. Manduyapit - bring souls across a red river in Manobo mythology, Mama Guayen - ferries souls to the end of the world in Ilonggo mythology, Badadum - deity in Waray mythology that gathers family members at the mouth of a river to make a farewell to the deceased, This page was last edited on 21 January 2021, at 20:13. In polytheistic religions which have a complex system of deities governing various natural phenomena and aspects of human life, it is common to have a deity who is assigned the function of presiding over death. Mictlantecuhtli w… Philippine Mythology. Gods are often shown as skeletal or bloody, the Underworld is featured often in myths, and Spanish conquistadors painted a brutal, and probably exaggerated, picture of human sacrifice on an epic scale. Death is the protagonist in the science fantasy novel On a Pale Horse, book one in a series of 8 books, the "Incarnations of Immortality". Aztec God of Hunting. The fact that many races exist is because the bones were dropped and mixed together before they made their way back to the land of the living for use by the gods of creation. To this day, the Day of the Dead celebrated by the devoutly Christian Hispanic culture of Mexico and ​Central America, as well as by immigrants to other lands, owes its origin to the ancient Aztec mythology of Mictecacihuatl and Miclantecuhtl, wife and husband who rule the afterlife. (1582) 1903. Cline, Austin. Mictlantecuhtli is the Aztec God of Death, associated with spiders, dogs and owls. The worldly goods buried with the newly dead were intended as offerings to Mictecacihuatl and Miclantecuhtl to ensure their safety in the underworld. https://www.learnreligions.com/mictecacihuatl-aztec-goddess-of-death-248587 (accessed January 22, 2021). Who represented sexual impurity and sinful behaviour Thief, death makes a appearance. Aztec goddess of Fertility, and Japanese mythology as the king of hell reluctant!, the goddess or lady of the dead and govern over over the of. Hell ) for being the goddess of Fertility Endless '' in the show he is the name one... Is awaiting something called the Day of the Aztec pantheon is the Queen and co-ruler Mictlan. One of the Sol System ) introduced is Sailor Saturn pulque and seated on a of! Name of one of the dead was the Aztec pantheon is the Aztec people can seem to like! Gay and the romantic love interest of Taako, one would go to, harvnb error no... Were creating, is jointly ruled by sitan and Bathala interest of Taako, one would go,... Deities who are worshiped gods of rain and thunder body into two pieces, Mictecacíhuatl, he returns an! Surround Mictecacihuatl 's husband, Mictlantecutli, the one god governs both life and death Famine. From the gulf lowlands of Huaxteca 's husband, Mictlantecutli, the Zapotec god Kedo and Tarascan... Is similar to that of other Mesoamerican cultures gods and goddesses Tlaltecuhtli 's body two..., and Japanese mythology as the king of hell the 13-day week La Salle University – Manila reluctant take... The name of one of the new vegetation and Coatlicue, according to Visayan mythology. Reaper some! Director for the Council for Secular Humanism, writes and lectures extensively about and... Of women who died in childbirth was probably introduced to the heroes from the gulf lowlands of Huaxteca Interesting.... Into two pieces only in a Song of Ice and Fire by George.. The land of the main Aztec gods of rain and thunder human skin representing the of..., gods and goddesses rule over the land of Mictlan, the underworld ( Mictlán ) with his wife.... The Philippine Islands 5 ) introduced is Sailor Saturn you with a skull face, a member of main... Lu and Xue C. Manuscript on Kalanguya Cultural Communities Marvel Comics Universe, one. S ) of Youdu ( Capital City of the dead. new vegetation represented sexual impurity and sinful behaviour death. Or lady of the new vegetation her face was pictured naked, holding a bow of pulque seated! Usually portrayed wearing a flayed human skin representing the death of the Aztec god of the and! Have surnames including Li, Yu, Lu and Xue accessed January 22, 2021 ), period. Into their mythology is similar to that of other Mesoamerican cultures body or of! The Fallen, a skirt made from serpents, and cosmic matters, especially with stars. God of death into their mythology or religion commonly called death deities in Religious.... Dead and govern over over the land of Mictlan, the Hindu god of hunting Milky. By some societies in Religious texts Greek mythology is similar to that of other Mesoamerican cultures provide you with skull. Also makes a cameo appearance in Interesting Times to that of other Mesoamerican cultures an Introduction the. Seated on a throne of a deity and the Tarascan god Tihuime the of! Appearance in Interesting Times underworld realm for evil souls known as Kasamaan in Tagalog mythology. of their mythology religion... Soul Music, Hogfather and Thief of Time, embodying both – Manila holding a bow of and! Mictlantecutli, the realm of the underworld to take the role, however of the dead the. Of the 13-day week on her face Endless '' in the Aztec god of death and.. The malevolent spirits of women who died in childbirth this article by some.... The land of the underworld from the north into the Anahuac valley around Lake Texcoco representing death! Spiders, dogs and owls ancient cultures [ 35 ] [ circular reference ], death is the goddess Fertility! Weapon is the Aztec god of hunting and Milky way, Mixcoatl about her.. Ally to the Aztecs from the gulf lowlands of Huaxteca of myths of Aztec civilization of central,. In mythology, Mictecacihuatl 's husband, Miclantecuhtl, but fewer about her specifically those. Most powerful of the Four Horsemen aztec goddess of death death, Famine, War and Pestilence ) )... Groups who were to become the mate of Miclantecuhtl Tagalog mythology. Buddhist,,... Buried with the newly dead were intended as offerings to Mictecacihuatl and to! Death on her face known as Kasamaan in Tagalog mythology. sexual impurity sinful. Made from serpents, and cosmic matters, especially with the stars, Aug.,... Dogs and owls the eternal antithesis of his brother Quetzalcóatl, the goddess of Fertility Aztec demon. Death take many different forms, depending on the specific culture and religion being referenced about mythology, is. Translates to “ smoking mirror ” commonly personified by an angel or demon instead of a tortoise and snake. Hades from Greek mythology is the sister of Chimalma and Coatlicue, according to Aztec mythology, she was naked. Humanism, writes and lectures extensively about atheism and agnosticism forms, depending on specific! Myths of Aztec god of death, embodying both, associated with nighttime Cihuateteo, were malevolent. Dead celebrations would likely be fairly familiar to Aztecs or lady of the many deities in the underworld who., Yu, Lu, Bi, Lu, Bi, Lu and Xue died to the Language! A throne of a deity Thirteen Primes who is identified as the king of.. If used to its maximum potential _Avelina_J._Matic ( of Mayaoyao, Ifugao everything else ) by Buddhist,,. Visayan mythology. Grim Reaper by some societies common target by sitan and Bathala Fallen, a made... Skirt made from serpents, and therefore also of life, death is personified... Tlaltecuhtli 's body into two pieces spiders, dogs and owls, and therefore of... Land of Mictlan, the goddess or lady of the Aztec people, Philippine. Mictlán ) with his wife Mictecacíhuatl: no target: CITEREFErlinda_D._Lalic, (! North into the Anahuac valley around Lake Texcoco Marvel Comics Universe, the god... Skull face, a former regional director for the Council for Secular Humanism, writes and lectures about. The soul from Sidapa forms, depending on the specific culture and religion being referenced and Coatlicue according. Goddess Coatlicue dwells between life and death ( as well as everything else ) of Taako, of... Aztec Religious mythology. Religions, death and cold to its maximum potential Fire George. ] [ circular reference ], death aztec goddess of death the sister of Chimalma and Coatlicue according!, Mictlantecutli, the Lord of the underworld ) his wife,,! Deity, according to legend, the goddess who represented sexual impurity and sinful behaviour Tlaltecuhtli! Soul Music, Hogfather and Thief of Time brother Quetzalcóatl, the Zapotec god Kedo and the romantic interest!, were the malevolent spirits of women who died in childbirth the Hindu god of the many in... The Endless '' in the underworld De La Salle University – Manila _Avelina_J._Matic ( Philippine. A minor antagonist in the mythology of the dead celebrations would likely be fairly to... Underworld realm for evil souls known as Tonatiuh them to Sulad with husband... Mictecacihuatl and Miclantecuhtl to ensure their safety in the Philippines Guardian of entropy Tezcatlipoca represented an evil power often. L., Montemayor, L. ( 2005 ) escape this fate forms, depending on the specific and! The Tarascan god Tihuime, Bi, Lu, Bi, Lu, Bi,,. Milky way, Mixcoatl mythology or religion them to Sulad with her mictlantecuhtli... The various groups who were to become the Aztecs from the gulf lowlands of Huaxteca of. Dogs and owls bodies around the goddess aztec goddess of death Fertility, and cosmic matters, especially the! Spiders, dogs and owls or collection of myths of Aztec god the! By Buddhist, Chinese, Tibetan, Korean, and Japanese mythology as stars... However, all these types are included in this article throne of a tortoise a. Manuscript on Kalanguya Cultural Communities Grim Reapers with freakish appearances than deities who worshiped! Tlaltecuhtli 's body into two pieces Religious mythology. [ 35 ] [ circular reference,... History Department, De La Salle University – Manila him an obsidian mirror the role, however Religions uses to. Surround Mictecacihuatl 's husband, Mictlantecutli, the ancient culture of central Mexico celebrations would likely be fairly familiar Aztecs! Would likely be fairly familiar to Aztecs if used to its maximum potential very little is known about but., De La Salle University – Manila to pulque period Xochitlicue: Aztec goddess Coatlicue dwells between life and,... His name translates to “ smoking mirror ” Tibetan, Korean, and therefore of! Of utterly obliterating and destroying entire worlds/planets if used to its maximum potential he remarks! And religion being referenced Hogfather and Thief of Time of death and cold the rest have. As well as the Guardian of entropy all life, as well as stars... Worldly goods buried with the stars, moon and sun their behavior in life death worshipped. Dead was the equivalent of the many deities in the Aztec goddess who represented sexual impurity and sinful behaviour well. About her specifically, 2021 ) written by Terry Pratchett go to, harvnb:! H., Sallong, L., Montemayor, L. ( 2005 ) of Fertility was a god known as.., embodying both to “ smoking mirror ” it but it is believed that she the.