Xipe Totec from Aztec culture - Research Paper Example

Holistic religion remains the base for the Aztec culture. The Aztec worshiped a collection of gods each of which had a beneficial side and also a detrimental side to the community. The Aztec rulers were seen as intermediaries between the people and the gods. They were held with such high regard that upon their death they would be buried in magnificent tombs which were filled with offerings and gifts. The Aztec belief of life after death is one that is rather captivating. It was believed that after death the people were taken to the underworld which was characterized by sinister objects and sinister gods.

It was characterized by the jaguar which was believed to be the god of the night. There are certain elements of the religion, which will be examined further for the purpose of getting more understanding. The Xipe Totec is in focus here. This is one of the many deities, which existed, in the religious life of the Aztec people. This particular deity was in relation to the aspects of life and death. The Aztec people believed that it was this particular deity that was responsible for giving the people of the community and the general humanity food.

It is also of the essence to note that there are quite a number of things, which this particular deity is credited. An example in this case is that it was this deity that was the inventor of wars that existed in the world. It is also to be noted that the Aztec placed a lot of belief in some of the things that surrounded the religion of the community. . An example in this case is that it was this deity that was the inventor of wars that existed in the world. It is also to be noted that the Aztec placed a lot of belief in some of the things that surrounded the religion of the community.

An example in this case is to do with the skin, which covered the Xipe Totec. In this case, it is put that the skin was perceived to have some curative properties. For example, if a sick person touched it, he or she was believed to be cured in the process. There are also a lot of things which the people in the community could undertake for the purpose of appeasing this deity. An example here is in relation to human sacrifice, which was something that was rather prevalent in the community. One of the ways through the aspect of human sacrifice was realized in the community was through the arrow sacrifice.

What happened here is that the person who was going to be sacrificed was shot with many arrows while his body was placed near the deity. This was so that his or her blood could spill on the ground near the Xipe Totec. The Aztec offered blood to the gods but not necessarily through death. What they did however, is engage in activities that brought pain to the body for example piercing themselves with sharp objects or mutilating their bodies. At important ceremonies the sacrificed victim’s heart was burned in order to nourish the gods.

This was majorly through human sacrifice. Human sacrifice was considered important as it encourages fertility and demonstrated piety. The Aztec offered blood to the gods but not necessarily through death. What they did however, is engage in activities that brought pain to the body for example piercing themselves with sharp objects