Huitzilopochtli
Huitzilopochtli, the hummingbird-on-the-left, is the Mexica patron of sun and war. Born fully armed on Coatepec Mountain, he decapitates his sister Coyolxauhqui and drives off the star siblings, commanding migration to found Tenochtitlan.
Story beats
- 1) Coatlicue conceives Huitzilopochtli; his siblings plot to kill her.
- 2) He bursts forth in war paint, wielding the Xiuhcoatl (turquoise serpent), slaying Coyolxauhqui, casting her head to the moon.
- 3) He leads the Mexica through migrations, demanding temples and sacrifice to feed the sun.
- 4) At Tenochtitlan, he shares the Great Temple with Tlaloc, balancing war and rain.
Context & symbolism
Huitzilopochtli embodies solar struggle—daily battles against darkness mirrored by warfare and sacrifice. His birth myth encodes cosmic order: sun over moon and stars. As patron, he legitimized Mexica empire and ritual obligations.
The hummingbird signifies agility and relentless energy; the fire serpent weapon channels scorching sun rays.
Motifs
- Turquoise serpent weapon (Xiuhcoatl)
- Hummingbird feathers and war paint
- Moon dismemberment on Coatepec
- Temple twin pyramid with Tlaloc
Use it in play
- Escort a sacred fire for Huitzilopochtli during a perilous migration.
- Defend a temple atop a serpent-mountain from encroaching foes.
- Balance rain and war cults to keep a city stable.
- Wield (or oppose) a Xiuhcoatl relic that demands offerings to stay lit.