LA VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE Y COATLICUE - BATALLA DE LOS DIOSES

The Transformation of Aztec Deities into Catholic Figures

The Role of Coatlicue in Aztec Religion

• Coatlicue is identified as the mother goddess of the Aztecs, having birthed over 400 deities, including the sun and war god Huitzilopochtli.

• With the arrival of Spanish colonizers, it appears that the reign of Aztec gods, including Coatlicue, comes to an end.

The Virgin Mary as a Replacement for Indigenous Deities

• The Virgin Mary is seen as a replacement for indigenous mother figures; both are revered as maternal protectors within their respective cultures.

• Throughout history, the figure of the Virgin Mary has been associated with various mother goddesses encountered during Christian expansion.

Integration and Syncretism in Religious Practices

• Early in the 15th century, indigenous people began to embrace the Virgin Mary as a continuation of their worship of mother goddesses.

• This syncretism allowed for a blending of beliefs where both indigenous and Spanish populations participated in devotion to the Virgin Guadalupe.

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

• The imagery associated with Guadalupe retains elements from both her Catholic representation and traditional indigenous symbols, such as flowers and stars.

• Guadalupe emerged not only as a religious figure but also became a symbol of cultural integration between indigenous peoples and Spaniards.

Conclusion on Identity and Worship

• Referring to Mary as "Tonantzin," meaning "our mother," reflects an acceptance within Catholicism that aligns with pre-Hispanic reverence for female deities.