Aztec Mythology

The bloodthirsty Gods of Ancient Mexico

TEZCATLIPOCA

Aztec Night-time God

Also known as Omacatl, Smoking Mirror, Tezcalipoca, Titlacauan

Picture of the Aztec Night-time God Tezcatlipoca from our Aztec mythology image library. Illustration by Chas Saunders.

The all-important God of Night, Death and Confusion

He is the old arch-rival of Top God Quetzalcoatl and spent most of his time during the Creation of the Universe bashing, crashing and smashing his enemy’s work instead of doing anything constructive.

Tezcatlipoca overthrew Quetzalcoatl who overthrew him in return. POW! PUNCH! BASH! In the form of Aztec pictorial writing, this story must be one of the most exciting comic strips ever. Their battles were repeated several times, accompanied by devastation, world destruction and severe inconvenience to a large number of monkeys.

No wonder the Aztecs feared and worshiped him – he is a formidable and potent figure. But despite being a nasty piece of work, he’s a handsome chap who once seduced the beautiful Xochiquetzal.

A lover of chaotic confusion, he carries a smoking mirror which bewilders enemies and confuses the issues. He is happiest when leading people down the garden path to evil.

He’s a real whiz at shape-changing, often manifesting himself as Mixcoatl as well as mysterious birds such as Chalchiuhtotolin and Chalchiuhtecólotl.

But he appears most often as a jaguar. If you are into worshiping jaguars, best stick with the E-type.

Tezcatlipoca Facts and Figures

Name: Tezcatlipoca
Pronunciation: Coming soon
Alternative names: Omacatl, Smoking Mirror, Tezcalipoca, Titlacauan

Gender: Male
Type: God
Celebration or Feast Day: Unknown at present

Role:
In charge of: the Night
Area of expertise: Night

Good/Evil Rating: BAD, best avoided
Popularity index: 16077

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Article last revised on April 09, 2019 by Rowan Allen.
Editors: Peter J. Allen, Chas Saunders

References: Coming soon.

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