A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – Domestication of wheat in Mesopotamia and rice in India and China laid the foundation for the Neolithic revolution in Europe and Asia.
Centeotl – a drawing from the Borgia Codex. Image credit: – Public Domain
The domestication of maize transformed the cultural development of all subsequent American civilizations.
Maize and Pre-Hispanic Mythology
Maize was incorporated in various ways into pre-Hispanic mythology. In ancient times, before the Olmecs, Centeotl was revered by all the inhabitants of Mesoamerica under different names.
For the Quiché Maya who wrote the Popol Vuh, the creator gods experimented with different materials, but they were only able to give rise to true men when they made them from corn seeds.
The Mexica also conceived of creation in successive stages until they reached true humanity and its perfect food: corn. Both cultures manifested in their myths contempt for those people who were not able to plant corn.
Each plant, important to the Mexica, had its deity, and corn, which was the most divine of all, had various representations. Xilonen, conceived as a young deity, was the goddess of the tender cob. Itlamatecuhtli, “the lady of the old skirt,” was the goddess of the dry cob.
Birth Of Centeotl – In One Beautiful Legend
Centéotl (centli: corn and téotl: god) was the Lord of Corn in general. An ancient hymn to the god of corn, “Centéotl” has even been preserved by oral tradition in the “Nahuatl” language.
Centeotl was Lord of the Maize, the predominant crop in Mesoamerica. Corn, or maize, was gifted to humans by Quetzalcoatl (Kukulkan), but Centeotl was the maintainer of the crop’s growth and fertility. He held the key to successful agriculture, which he taught humans.
Cinteotl, god of corn (Fejérváry-Mayer Codex). Image credit: Unknown author – Public Domain
Versions of mythological stories used to vary much. It is said that Xochiquetzal was married to Centeotl, the god of maize. However, some legends claim that Centeotl was Xochiquetzal’s son instead of a husband.
According to one beautiful legend, the birth of Centeotl is associated with the deity Xochiquetzal, who was remarkably different from the other gods due to her nature. Tezcatlipoca, a central deity in Aztec religion was so captivated by her extraordinary beauty that he couldn’t resist abducting her. He then confined her to Tamoanchan, the ninth heaven.
The goddess frequently engaged in the earthly delights, immersing herself in the pleasures of our world. It was during these escapades that she encountered Xochipilli, the deity known for his association with fun and love.
The pair sought refuge from the deities within the confines of the Corn House cave, which is known as the birthplace of Centeotl. Soon after the birth, the gods discovered the hiding place of the lovers, but when they saw the child, they were very surprised.
The boy had the most remarkable appearance.
Storing maize. Illustration from the Florentine Codex, Late 16th century. Public Domain
His hair sprouted cotton, one ear was a fountain of amaranth seeds, while the other produced a stream of fish eggs known as Mexican poppy seeds. Useful plants sprouted from every part of the boy’s body, including potato tubers and a variety of fruits. Even corn rhizomes emerged from his nails.
Upon witnessing this, the gods granted pardon to the escapees because in a brief period, the Earth began to bear fruit from the body of Centeotl, who himself became the God of Corn.
Centeotl’s female counterpart was the maize goddess Chicomecoatl. However, in some myths, Centeotl himself is also shown in female form. In some versions, Centeotl’s mother was Tlazolteotl, a deity of sexuality, steam baths, lust, purification, filth, and a patroness of adulterers. She played a crucial role in the confession of wrongdoing.
By tradition, this corn god was portrayed as a young man with corn cobs in his shoulder bag and in his hands.
Moreover, as the patron deity of farmers and goldsmiths in the city of Xochimilco (in the southern part of Mexico City, he was shown various agricultural tools. Once, Xochimilco – one of the largest agricultural centers of the Aztec state – was famous for its chinampa system.
Aztec farmers widely utilized this brilliant technology of chinampas, and its remnants have survived until today in the city.
Written by – A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer
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References:
Michael E. Smith, The Aztecs
León-Portilla M. Aztec Thought and Culture: A Study of the Ancient Nahuatl Mind
Ryan, Duncan. The Aztec: The Last Great Civilization of Mesoamerica
