by David Bowles
cu/uc
“kw” as in “queen” (primarily Nahuatl)
hu/uh
like “w” in “we”
ll
like “y” in “yes” (Spanish only)
qu
like “k” in “key”
rr
a “rolled r” (Spanish only)
tl
roughly like the “ttle” in “bottle”
tz
like the “ts” in “cats”
Note also that most words are stressed on the next-to-the-last syllable:
Hapunda—ha/PUN/da
Citlalli—ci/TLAL/li
Tezcatlipoca—tez/ca/tli/PO/ca
Quetzalcoatl—que/tzal/CO/atl
Glossary
This glossary contains most, but not all, of the people and places referenced in this book. It is intended as a guide to those names that show up repeatedly, allowing readers to reference and refresh their memories. An approximate pronunciation is also included to facilitate reading.
A
Acamapichtli (ah-cah-mah-PEECHT-lee): a king of Colhuacan, son of Coxcoxtli
Achitometl (ah-chee-toh-MEH-tul): a ruler of Colhuacan who chased the Mexica into Lake Texcoco
Achiutla (ah-CHOOT-lah): mythical city of the Mixteca.
Acolnahuacatl (ah-kol-nah-WAH-kah-tul): a Tepanec king.
Alux (ah-LOOSH): a mystic elfish being, protector of nature and wielder of magic.
Azcapotzalco (ahz-kah-poht-SAL-koh): a Tepanec city-state with ties to the Mexica.
Aztlan (AHST-lahn): ancient homeland of the Nahua (Aztec) tribes.
C
Camaxtli (kah-MAHSHT-lee): leader of the Centzon Mimixcoah. Also known as Mixcoatl or Xipe Totec. Chief god of the Toltecs.
Ce Acatl Quetzalcoatl (SEH AH-kah-tul quets-al-KWA-tul): ruler of Tollan. Incarnation of the Feathered Serpent.
Centzon Mimixcoah (CENT-son mee-meesh-KOH-ah): the “Four Hundred Cloud Serpents,” demigods who roamed the earth in the early years of the Fifth Age.
Centzontotochtin (cent-son-toh-TOHCH-teen): minor gods of drunkenness.
Chalchiuhatl (chal-chee-OO-ah-tul): the blood of the gods, “precious liquid.”
Chalchiuhtlicue (chal-chee-oot-LEE-kweh): goddess of rivers and lakes.
Chapultepec Hill (chah-pul-teh-PEK): located on the southwest bank of Lake Texcoco. Served as a base of operations for the Mexica.
Chichimecah (chee-chee-MEH-kah): the nomadic peoples of Northern Mexico.
Chicomecoatl (chee-koh-meh-KOH-ah-tul): goddess of agriculture. Wife of Tezcatlipoca.
Chicomoztoc (chee-koh-MOHS-tohk): a series of seven caves used by the Centzon Mimixcoah and the Nahua (Aztec) tribes.
Chimalman (chee-MAL-man): mother of Quetzalpetlatl and Ce Acatl Quetzalcoatl.
Chinampa (chee-NAM-pah): a floating garden.
Cihuatlampa (see-waht-LAHM-pa): Western paradise for women who die during childbirth.
Cipactli (see-PAHKT-lee): the primordial reptile that becomes both the earth and the earth goddess.
Cipactonal (see-pahkt-TOH-nahl): the first man, created at the beginning of the First Age.
Citlalatonac (seet-lah-lah-TOH-nahk): god of the stars.
Citlalicue (seet-lah-LEE-kweh): goddess of the stars.
Coatlicue (koh-aht-LEE-kweh): a fierce but loving deity whose nature encompasses the duality of motherhood. Wife of Camaxtli. Mother of Coyolxauhqui, Huitzilopochtli, and the Four Hundred Gods of the South.
Colhuas (KOL-wah): a Nahua tribe that takes the Mexica captive (also Colhuahqueh).
Colhuacan (kol-WAH-kan): the kingdom of the Colhuas (also Colhuahcan).
Copil (KOH-peel): wizard king of Malinalco. Son of Malinalxochitl. From his heart grows a prophesized cactus.
Coxcoxtli (kohsh-KOHSHT-lee): king of Colhuacan who enslaved the Mexica.
Coyolxauhqui (koh-aht-LEE-kweh): a goddess who leads her four hundred brothers in a revolt against their mother, Coatlicue. Dismembered by Huitzilopochtli. Her head is transformed into the moon.
Cuauhcoatl (kwau-KOH-ah-tul): a high priest of the Mexica.
Cuauhtlequetzqui (kwaut-leh-KEHTS-kee): (1) Governor of the Mexica (2) His son, a godbearer who hurls Copil’s heart at the command of Huitzilopochtli.
E
Ehecatl (eh-HEH-kah-tul): god of the wind. An aspect of Quetzalcoatl.
H
Hapunda (hah-POON-dah): Purepecha princess of Yunuen.
Heart of Sky: brother to Feathered Serpent. God of chaos.
Huitziltzin (weet-SEELT-seen): high priest of the Mexica. Avatar of Huitzilopochtli.
Huitzilopochtli (weet-see-loh-POHCHT-lee): god of the war and patron of the Mexica.
Hunahpu (hoo-NAH-poo): one of the Hero Twins.
Hurricane: a name for Heart of Sky in his most destructive form.
I
Ihuimecatl (ee-wee-MEH-kah-tul): an evil priest of Tollan allied with Tezcatlipoca.
Ihuitimal (ee-wee-TEE-mal): king of Tollan before Ce Acatl Quetzalcoatl.
Ilancueitl (ee-lahn-KWEH-ee-tul): a priestess who became the Mexica’s first cihuacoatl or counselor to the king.
Itza (EET-sah): the “Water Witches,” a Maya nation.
Itzpapalotl (eets-pah-PAH-loh-tul): patroness of women who died giving birth and children who died in infancy. One of the tzitzimimeh.
Itztacxilotzin (eets-tahk-shee-LOHT-seen): a Toltec queen.
Ixchel (eesh-CHEL): goddess of fertility, childbirth, and war.
Ixmukane (eesh-moo-KAH-neh): a maize goddess, mother of One and Seven Hunahpu.
Iztaccihuatl (eez-tahk-SEE-wah-tul): a Tepanec princess who is transformed into a dormant volcano upon her death.
K
Ku (KOO): divine energy.
Kukulkan (koo-kool-KAHN): a Mayan name for Feathered Serpent.
L
Lady Blood: daughter of Blood Gatherer (one of the Lords of Xibalba) and mother of the Hero Twins, Hunahpu and Xbalanque.
Lady 1 Deer and Lord 1 Deer: creator gods of the Mixteca.
Lady Egret: mother of One Monkey and One Artisan.
M
Malinalco (mah-lee-NAL-koh): kingdom founded by Malinalxochitl.
Malinalxochitl (mah-lee-nal-SHOH-chee-tul): sister of Huitziltzin, a great shaman who led a schism within the Mexica.
Mayab (MAH-yab): land of the Maya people on the Yucatan Peninsula.
Mayahuel (mah-YAH-wel): goddess of the maguey plant. The only tzitzimitl to renounce destruction and join with Quetzalcoatl.
Mecihtli (meh-SEET-lee): Earth Goddess and source of fertility.
Mexica (meh-SHEE-kah): the last Nahuat tribe to emerge from Aztlan. Founders of Mexico Tenochtitlan.
Mexitin (meh-SHEE-teen): original name of the Mexica.
Mexitli Chalchiuhtlatonac (meh-SHEET-lee chal-chee-wut-lah-TOH-nahk): first recorded leader of the Mexica.
Michoacan (meech-wah-KAHN): a seaside kingdom established by Purepecha people and a rogue group of Mexica.
Mictecacihuatl (meek-teh-kah-SEE-wah-tul): goddess of death, queen of the Underworld.
Mictlantecuhtli (meekt-lahn-teh-KWIT-lee): god of death, king of the Underworld.
Mimich (MEE-meech): one of the Centzon Mimixcoah. Helps capture and kill Itzapapalotl.
Mixcoatl (meesh-KOH-ah-tul): another name for Camaxtli.
Mixteca (meesh-TEH-kah): the Cloud People, Nahuatl name for the Ñuu Dzaui of Oaxaca.
N
Nahualli (nah-WAHL-lee): double or animal spirit form.
Nanahuatzin (nah-nah-WAHT-seen): decrepit and old god, covered in pustules. Son of Quetzalcoatl. Becomes the sun at the beginning of the Fifth Age.
Nene: the first woman created in the Fourth Age.
O
Ometeotl (oh-meh-TEH-oh-tul): the dual god from which the universe was formed.
Omeyocan (oh-meh-YOH-kahn): place of duality, abode of Ometeotl.
One Hunahpu (hoo-NAH-poo): a minor god of the milpas, brother of Seven Hunahpu, father of One Monkey and On
e Artisan as well as the Hero Twins.
One Monkey and One Artisan: gods of the arts.
Oxomoco (oh-shoh-MOH-koh): the first woman created at the beginning of the First Age.
P
Patecatl (pah-TEHK-ah-tul): god of medicine and discoverer of peyote.
Patzcuaro, Lake (PAHTS-kwah-roh): a large, island-dotted lake in Michoacan.
Piltzintecuhtli (peelt-sin-teh-KWIT-lee): son of Oxomoco and Cipactonal.
Popocatepetl (poh-poh-kah-TEH-peh-tul): a volcano in the highlands of Central Mexico.
Popocatzin (poh-poh-KAHT-seen): a Mexica warrior descended from exiled nobles living in Azcapotzalco. Transformed into Popocatepetl.
Q
Quetzalcoatl (quets-al-KWA-tul): Nahuatl name for Feathered Serpent, god of creation and order.
Quetzalpetlatl (quets-al-PET-lah-tul): older half-sister of Ce Acatl Quetzalcoatl.
Quilaztli (kee-LAHST-lee): an earth goddess associated with the Mother.
Q’uq’umatz (koo-koo-MAHTS): a Mayan name for Feathered Serpent.
Seven Hunahpu (hoo-NAH-poo): a minor god of the milpas, brother of One Hunahpu.
T
Tabaosimoa (tah-bow-see-MOH-ah): the most respected women and men on earth at the beginning of the Fifth Age.
Tamoanchan (tah-moh-AHN-chahn): Nahuatl name for the home of the gods.
Tata: the first man created in the Fourth Age.
Tecciztecatl (tek-sis-TEH-kah-tul): handsome young god of shell and stone. Son of Tlaloc and Chalchiuhtlicue. Becomes the moon at the beginning of the Fifth Age.
Tenoch (TEN-ohch): led the Mexica out of Colhuacan to establish the city of Tenochtitlan.
Tenochtitlan (teh-nohch-TEET-lan): city founded by the Mexica on an isle in Lake Texcoco.
Teotihuacan (teh-oh-tee-WAH-kahn): city of the gods and its copy on earth.
Teotl (TEH-oh-tul): divine energy.
Tepalcatzin (teh-pal-KAHT-seen): Toltec king who married Xochitl.
Tepanecas (teh-pah-NEH-kah): a tribe of Nahuas.
Tepeyollotl (teh-peh-YOHL-loh-tul): “Mountainheart,” the nahualli or double of Tezcatlipoca. A massive jaguar.
Texcoco, Lake (tesh-KOH-koh): southermost of the lakes in the highlands of Central Mexico.
Tezcatlipoca (tes-kaht-lee-POH-kah): Nahuatl name for the god of chaos. Brother of Feathered Serpent. Also referred to as Heart of Sky and Hurricane. Later incarnated as a priest of Tollan.
Tezozomoc (teh-soh-SOH-mohk)—a Tepanec king with blood ties to many Mexica rulers.
Tlaloc (TLAH-lohk): Nahuatl name for the rain god.
Tlacahuepan (tlah-kah-WEH-pahn): an evil priest of Tollan allied with Tezcatlipoca.
Tlalocan (tlah-LOH-kahn): Tlaloc’s paradise, where the spirits of the drowned, diseased, and deformed go upon death.
Tlaloques (tlah-LOH-kehs): Elemental spirits that serve the rain god.
Tlaltecuhtli (tlahl-TEKW-tlee): “sovereign of the earth,” an epithet of Mecihtli.
Tlatelolco (tlah-teh-LOL-koh): a sister city of Tenochtitlan established after a schism in the Mexica tribe.
Tollan (TOL-lahn): the legendary capital of the Toltec empire
Toltecs (tol-TEHKS): the Toltecah, a mighty people who controlled Central Mexico before the Aztecs.
Toltecayotl (tol-tehk-KAY-yoh-tul): Nahuatl term for master craftsmanship.
Tonacacuahuitl (toh-nah-kah-KWAH-wee-tul): the Mother Tree, source of human souls, which stands at the heart of Omeyocan.
Tonalli: spiritual essence contained in sunlight. The source of a nahualli.
Tonantzin (toh-NAHNT-seen): “Our Revered Mother.” Nahuatl name for the mother goddess.
Tonatiuhchan (toh-nah-TEE-oo-chahn): Eastern paradise of the sun where the souls of brave warriors go after death.
Tzitzimimeh (tseet-see-MEE-meh): an order of goddesses who seek to devour the sun.
X
Xaltocan (shal-TOH-kan): northernmost of the lakes that once dominated the highlands of Central Mexico.
Xbalanque (sh-bah-LAHN-keh): one of the Hero Twins.
Xibalba (shee-ball-BAH): the Mayan name for the Underworld.
Xinantecatl (shee-nan-TEH-kah-tul): a proud and fierce Tepanec warrior from an illustrious family. Rival of Popocatzin.
Xipe Totec (SHEE-peh TOH-tek): god of spring and renewal.
Xiuhtecuhtli (shoo-teh-KWIT-lee): god of time and fire.
Xiuhcoatl (shoo-KOH-ah-tul): nahualli of the God of Fire. Used as a weapon by Huitzilopochtli.
Xiuhtlahcuilolxochitzin (shoot-lah-kwee-loh-shoh-CHEET-seen): a Toltec queen.
Xiuhtlaltzin (shoot-LALT-seen): a Toltec queen.
Xmucane (sh-moo-KAH-neh): a Mayan name for the Grandmother. One of the two oldest gods, source of all others. Corresponds to the Nahuatl Omecihuatl.
Xochiquetzal (shoh-chee-KEHT-sal): goddess of flowers and fertility.
Xochimilco, Lake (shoh-chee-MEEL-koh): smaller lake to the southeast of Texcoco.
Xochitl (SHOH-chee-tul): Toltec queen who discovered pulque,
Xolotl (SHOH-loh-tul): the nahualli of Quetzacoatl. A massive hound that accompanies the sun through the Underworld.
Y
Yaushu (YOW-shoo): the opossum who ruled the world in the early years of the Fifth Age.
Yacoñooy (yah-koh-NYOH-oy): legendary hero of the Mixteca.
Yunuen (yoo-noo-WEN): island on Lake Patzcuaro.
Notes on Sources
Origins: Synthesis of passages from the Popol Vuh, the Florentine Codex (books 2, 4, 6 and 9), La historia de los mexicanos por sus pinturas (chapter 1), Pedro Ponce’s Breve relación de los dioses y ritos de la gentilidad, Historia Tolteca-Chichimeca, and Histoire du Mechique (part VI).
The Heavens and the Underworld: Drawn from Histoire du Mechique (part VI), La historia de los mexicanos por sus pinturas (part III), and the Florentine Codex (the appendix to book 3).
The First Three Ages of the World: Synthesis of passages from the Popol Vuh, book 5 of the Florentine Codex, and the Codex Chimalpopoca (Annals of Cuauhtitlan 2:24 to 2:38 and Leyenda de los soles 75:6 to 75:33), with additional information from Pedro Ponce’s Breve relación de los dioses y ritos de la gentilidad, La historia de los mexicanos por sus pinturas (chapters 3 and 4), and Histoire du Mechique (part VI).
The Hero Twins: Translated and adapted from the Popol Vuh.
The Fourth Sun and the Flood: Synthesis of passages from the Popol Vuh, chapter 5 of La historia de los mexicanos por sus pinturas, the Codex Chimalpopoca (Annals of Cuauhtitlan 2:39 to 2:41 and Leyenda de los soles 75:34 to 76:7),
The Creation of Human Beings: Synthesis of passages from the Popol Vuh, chapter 6 of La historia de los mexicanos por sus pinturas, the Codex Chimalpopoca (Leyenda de los soles 76:18 to 77:24),
The Fifth Sun and the Harbingers of Darkness: Synthesis of passages from the Popol Vuh, chapter 7 of La historia de los mexicanos por sus pinturas, the Codex Chimalpopoca (Annals of Cuauhtitlan 2:42 to 2:51 and Leyenda de los soles 76:18 to 77:24), Histoire du Mechique (part VI) and Cantares de Dzitbalché.
Lord Opossum Brings Fire to Man: Drawn from the folklore of the Cora, Mazatec, Otomi and Huichol peoples.
Itzpapalotl and the Cloud Serpents: Adapted from the Codex Chimalpopoca (Annals of Cuauhtitlan 1:10 to 1:15 and Leyenda de los soles 78:30 to 80:17), chapter 8 of La historia de los mexicanos por sus pinturas, and “The Song of the Mother of the Gods” from Primeros Memoriales. Additional information on the identity of the Xiuhtetecuhtin or Fire Lords has been drawn from book two of the Florentine Codex.
The Birth of Huitzilopochtli: Translated and adapted from book three of the Florentine Codex.
Archer of the Sun: Retold from the popular legend, drawing from Codex Vindobonensis Mexicanus I, Arte en Lengua Mixteca by de los Reyes, and Burgoa’s Geográfica Descripción.
Tollan and the Toltec Queens: Some material adapted from the Codex Chimalpopoca (Annals of Cuauhtitlan 1:1 to 1:5, 3:16 to 3:24, 4:17, 9:12 to 9:28), Torquemada’s Monarquía Indiana and the Historia Ch
ichimeca by Fernando de Alva Cortés Ixtlilxóchitl.
The Brothers Incarnated: Adapted from the Codex Chimalpopoca (Annals of Cuauhtitlan 3:56 to 7:41 and Leyenda de los soles 80:29 to 81:46) and the Florentine Codex (book 3). Additional information drawn from Diego de Landa’s Relacion de las cosas de Yucatán and Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas’ Historia general de los hechos de los castellanos en las islas y tierra firme del mar océano que llaman Indias Occidentales.
The Dwarf King of Uxmal: Retold from oral traditions among the Maya of Yucatan, adapting elements of the version narrated to American explorer John Lloyd Stephens in 1840.
The Rise of Hunak Keel: Drawn from Landa’s Relación de las cosas de Yucatán, the Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel, the Book of Chilam Balam of Mani, and the Book of Chilam Balam of Tizimin.
Sak Nikte and the Fall of Chichen Itza: Adapted from La tierra del faisán y del venado (1928), by Antonio Mediz Bolio, with additional material from the Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel, the Book of Chilam Balam of Mani, and the Book of Chilam Balam of Tizimin.
The Tale of Xtabay: Retold from traditional oral tales of Yucatán and Quintana Roo.
The Mexica Exodus: A synthesis of passages from Crónica Mexicayotl (parts I and II), Historia de los mexicanos por sus pinturas (chapters 9-18), and Histoire du Mechique (chapters 3 and 4), with additional information drawn from the Codex Chimalpopoca (Annals of Cuauhtitlan 3:56 to 7:41 and Leyenda de los soles 80:29 to 81:46) and the Codex Chimalpahin.
Hapunda and the Lake: Retold from traditional tales of Michoacán state, drawing upon Relación de Michoacán.
The Volcanoes: Retold from the popular legend, with the inspiration of images from the poems “El idilio de los volanes” by José Santos Chocano and “La leyenda de los volcanes” by Rafael López.
Tenochtitlan: A synthesis of passages from Crónica Mexicayotl, Historia de los mexicanos por sus pinturas, and Histoire du Mechique, with additional information drawn from the Codex Chimalpopoca, the Florentine Codex and the Codex Chimalpahin.
Tlacaelel and the Rise of the Mexica: A synthesis of passages from the Florentine Codex, Crónica Mexicayotl, Historia de los mexicanos por sus pinturas, and Histoire du Mechique, with additional information drawn from the Codex Chimalpopoca and the Codex Chimalpahin.