Tlazolteotl and Huehuecoyotl

Tlazolteotl is an important goddess of the Nahua people. She is often described as the goddess of sex, lust, and infidelity. However, she is also revered as a mother goddess, linked with fertility, childbirth, weaving, and healing. She also took charge of forgiving and cleansing all humans’ wrongdoings and ‘filth,’ hence her other name, Tlaelcuani (Eater of Filth).

Her appearance here is largely based on Codex Laud. Her distinctive features are as follows:

(1) Yacametztli, a half-moon-shaped nose ornament. Tlazolteotl was related to the moon because the lunar cycle was associated with women in Mesoamerica. Yacametztli is also worn by the gods of pulque (alcoholic drink), which is inevitably related to excessiveness and transgressions, therefore strengthening their link with Tlazolteotl.

The reason I drew her as a rabbit is related to this aspect. In Mesoamerica, rabbits were associated with the moon because the dark markings on the moon resemble a rabbit. Also, among the pulque gods were divine rabbits called Centzon Totochtin (four hundred rabbits).

(2) Headdress of spindles (malacatl) and unspun cotton. Tlazolteotl was a goddess of weaving and cotton. Cotton is said to be abundant in the Huasteca region, where Tlazolteotl is thought to have originated.

Her Huastec origin is linked to her various attributes as well. Tlazolteotl’s other name, Ixcuina, likely comes from Huastec language. Some researchers have suggested several translations including ‘Cotton Lady’ and ‘Arrow [shooting] Lady’. The Nahuas also saw the Huastecas to be prone to excess, particularly sex and drunkenness.

(3) Montenolcopi, a black rubber paint around the mouth, and tlaxapochtli, a dark circle on the cheek. They’re associated with her role as Eater of Filth. Although montenolcopi is consistent in most depictions, tlaxapochtli varies in shapes (circle, short stripes) and colors (black, green).

Tlazolteotl is wearing a quechquemitl and a skirt. She is wearing unusually short skirts in several codices, including Codex Laud and Borgia. Her skirt is above knee level, just covering her thighs, whereas most Nahua skirts were ankle length. It’s uncertain whether this was only worn by Tlazolteotl, but it could’ve been a marker indicating she is from the tropical Huasteca region.

She is also holding a miniature broom, based on Codex Fejérváry-Mayer, which signifies her role of cleansing. Crescent-patterned pantli (banners) are from Codex Borbonicus. I also referenced Codex Telleriano-Remensis and Codex Cospi for the details of her headdress and ornaments. Finally, she is frequently depicted in codices with large breasts and belly fat, emphasizing her maternal aspect.

Huehuecoyotl is a trickster coyote deity related to music, dance, deceit, and sex. His insatiable sexual desire is attested in multiple sources. In Codex Borgia, he is portrayed with an erect penis while having sex with a man. In Codex Telleriano-Remensis, he seduces Xochiquetzal and commits adultery. Huehuecoyotl also rules over the calendrical sign of cuetzpalin (lizard), which, according to the Codex Florentine, means that people who are born on that day have a strong virility and sex drive. Considering these sexual aspects, I thought it would be fitting to couple him with Tlazolteotl, who also rules over sex. The appearance of Huehuecoyotl is based on the Codex Borgia.