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Nanāhuātzin

Nanahuatzin (pronounced [nanaˈwat͡sin]) is a deity in Mesoamerican mythology, particularly associated with the Aztec culture. The name Nanahuatzin is derived from the Nahuatl language and can be translated as "pimply one" or "one who is afflicted with sores." In Hebrew, this could be translated as ננאהאוצין (Nana'ahutzin), though this is a phonetic approximation and not a direct translation. In Spanish, it is often rendered as Nanahuatzin without significant alteration. Nanahuatzin is best known for his role in the Aztec creation myth, where he sacrificed himself to become the Sun. This act of self-sacrifice is a central theme in Aztec religion and cosmology, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. Nanahuatzin's story is intricately linked with that of Tecuciztecatl, another deity who initially hesitated to make the same sacrifice but ultimately followed Nanahuatzin's example. Together, their actions are said to have brought light and life to the world, making them pivotal figures in Aztec cosmogony.

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Nanāhuātzin
Aztec deity
Nanāhuātzin
In Aztec mythology, the god Nanāhuātzin or Nanāhuātl, the most humble of the gods, sacrificed himself in fire so that he would continue to shine on Earth as the Sun, thus becoming the solar deity. Nanāhuātzin means "full of sores." According to a translation of the Histoyre du Mechique, Nanāhuātzin is the son of Ītzpāpālōtl and Cozcamiauh or Tonantzin, but was adopted by Piltzintecuhtli and Xōchiquetzal. In the Codex Borgia, Nanāhuātzin is represented as a man emerging from a fire. This was originally interpreted as an illustration of cannibalism. He is probably an aspect of Xolotl.
Last modified: 2025-09-29T17:47:29ZView full article on Wikipedia