La Leyenda de los 5 soles: La creación de la humanidad en la mitología Azteca.

Creation of Humanity and the Battle of the Gods

The Mythical Battle for Creation

• The creation of humanity involved a legendary battle between Mictlantecuhtli and Quetzalcóatl, known as the legend of Los Soles. This battle was crucial for Quetzalcóatl to gain the right to create humans.

• Quetzalcóatl embarked on a journey to Mictlán, the underworld, seeking sacred bones that could bring life. This journey was significant due to the dangers posed by Mictlantecuhtli, the lord of the dead.

The Role of Deities in Creation

• Tonacatecut and Tonacasihuatl created half of the world before allowing their sons, Quetzalcóatl and Tezcatlipoca, to complete it. However, rivalry between these brothers led to destruction across four eras of suns.

• During these eras, various beings populated Earth under divine protection until arrogance among humans angered Tezcatlipoca, leading him to destroy three primordial suns.

Transformation and Consequences

• Humans were initially perfect beings created from maize; they possessed strength and intelligence but became arrogant by refusing worship towards gods. This defiance incited Tezcatlipoca's wrath.

• In a climactic confrontation with Quetzalcóatl, Tezcatlipoca inflicted injuries that transformed humans into monkeys due to their inability to walk upright after being struck by powerful winds from his claws.

Divine Judgment and Destruction

• Following this transformation, Quetzalcóatl sought Xiutecutli’s help in destroying humanity through fire rain which obliterated cities and purged existence itself. A pile of mortal bones formed at Earth's center post-destruction.

• The primordial gods convened after this devastation and decided that sacred bones should be entrusted to Mictlantecuhtli for safekeeping due to previous failures in creating stable human forms across four attempts.

Encountering Mictlantecuhtli

• Mictlantecuhtli is depicted as a terrifying figure resembling death with skeletal features adorned with sinister accessories; he guards the sacred bones closely within his dark realm.

• Enraged by this decision, Quetzalcóatl confronted his father Tonacatecutl about failing in his mission as a creator god while expressing determination to retrieve the sacred bones from Mictlantecuhtli despite potential dangers ahead.

Journey Through the Underworld

• To reclaim these bones, Quetzalcóatl must navigate through nine levels of darkness in Mictlán; he begins at Ixcuintlán where he faces challenges including a giant iguana guarding treacherous waters during his passage through this realm.

The Journey of Quetzalcóatl Through Mictlán

The Anger of Mictlantecuhtli

• Mictlantecuhtli's anger escalates, leading him to obstruct the path of Quetzalcóatl as he traverses through various realms.

• Upon reaching the third plane, Ixtepec, Quetzalcóatl encounters a treacherous obsidian path that painfully detaches the skin from the dead who walk it.

Trials and Tribulations

• Despite his divine nature allowing for healing, Quetzalcóatl suffers trauma while ascending to the fourth plane, which resembles a celestial kingdom filled with clouds.

• He faces extreme challenges including fierce winds manipulated by Mictlantecuhtli and struggles against gravity that threaten to cast him into abyssal depths.

Dark Encounters

• After enduring over a year in darkness, Quetzalcóatl awakens in a cave where he is attacked by arrows shot from hands emerging from all angles.

• Utilizing his serpent form, he narrowly escapes these attacks and reaches the eighth plane without sustaining fatal injuries.

Confrontation with Jaguars

• In Teyojocualoyan, known for its deadly jaguars that prey on unprepared souls, Quetzalcóatl engages in fierce battles against these formidable beasts.

• He cleverly distracts them by tearing out their hearts and using them as decoys to escape towards the final plane.

The Final Showdown

• Upon entering Mictlán's realm, Quetzalcóatl finds Mictlantecuhtli resting atop bones surrounded by demons; he must cross perilous oceans filled with monsters to reach him.

• Surprisingly, Mictlantecuhtli provides a boat for this treacherous journey amidst storms.

The Battle for Sacred Bones

• When they finally meet, despite appearing physically defeated, Quetzalcóatl demands sacred bones; Mictlantecuhtli proposes combat to test his worthiness.

• The battle is swift; Quetzalcóatl constricts and bites his opponent until victory is declared amidst an audience of tormented souls.

Deception and Escape

• Although awarded the sacred bones and hailed as a hero of Mictlán, it becomes apparent that this was part of a trap set by Mictlantecuhtli.

• As he attempts to flee back through planes with the bones secured on his back, he falls into a trap designed specifically for him but manages to survive due to divine intervention from his mother.

A Narrow Escape

Creation Myths and Sacrifice

The Role of Sacrifice in Creation

• The Sacred Mountain placed broken bones and sacrificed itself, allowing its blood to give rise to a species that would dominate the earthly plane.

• Simultaneously, the ancient skin of the mountain reached Mictlantecuhtli's hands, who devoured it despite the potent poison it contained.

• Although Mictlantecuhtli was not destroyed by this act, he suffered immense pain for decades and lost his sight permanently.

• Quetzalcóatl also made a sacrifice; from the mass formed by bones and blood emerged the Fifth Sun, which governs day and night.