How Aztec Gods Inspired The Eagle And Jaguar Warriors Of The Mexican Aztec Army

From the start, an Aztec male child was taught that he had been born a warrior to serve the Aztec gods

. His task, indeed his duty was to prove himself in the battlefield and to never let fear cloud his actions. In the beginning before there was light, this example had been displayed by the Aztec gods themselves. And this type of bravery was therefore required in return by the Aztec gods. For inspiration, he had only to look at the sun and moon as these existed only because of brave deeds.

The Aztecs had many stories that explained the creation of the sun and the moon. One of these stories also explains why the eagle and jaguar became symbols for the most elite military orders in the Mexican Aztec army.

In the beginning before there was light in the world, on the plains surrounding the great city of Teotihuacan, the twin Aztec gods Tecciztecatl and Nanahuatzin stood before the sacred fire. The cost for giving light to the world was to be their lives. Would they throw themselves into the flames to light the world?

Tecciztecatl, haughty and boastful and dressed in magnificent robes, went forward four times to sacrifice himself, yet each time pulled back, afraid. However, his twin Nanahuatzin, humble and weak, an insignificant figure dressed in paper clothes made from tree bark threw himself fearlessly into the flames, in the process becoming the sun. Then Tecciztecatl, inspired by his brother's bravery, finally leapt into the blaze, becoming the moon.

Nanahuatzin, despite his feeble appearance turned out to be the braver of the two. This was to serve as an example to all Mexican Aztec warriors. Bravery above all, was respected.

The eagle was the first animal to follow the Aztec gods Tecciztecatl and Nanahuatzin into the flames. Forever afterwards his beautiful feathers were blackened. The jaguar followed the eagle into the fire. His burning gave his coat black spots.

These brave creatures, first into the holy fire that had frightened Tecciztecatl, were worthy exemplars for aspiring Mexican Aztec warriors. If a warrior proved that they knew no fear and demonstrated at least 20 deeds of great bravery in battle, they could then request admittance to the elite orders of the eagle-warriors or jaguar-warriors.

To be a member of one of these military orders was no small accomplishment. For the Mexican Aztec, the military was the prime promoter of social mobility. Through brave deeds, and success in battle, a warrior from the most common ranks could rise to even the highest positions.

by: Sigi Frias

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