“Coyolxauhqui Stone” (Templo Mayor)

Written By Emily Su

“Coyolxauhqui Stone” (Templo Mayor)

  • Tenochtitlan (Mexico City), Aztec

  • 1375-1520 CE

  • Material: mask: Jadeite, calendar stone: basalt, Coyolxauhqui stone: volcanic stone, temples: stone. 

Context: two great staircases, two temples on top (one for sun God Huitzilopochtli and one for the Rain God Tlaoc), 

base of the pyramid is a serpent and the Coyolxauhqui Stone 

-Coyolxauhqui Stone: retells the story of Huitzilopochtli (after his sons killed their mother, he takes revenge on them and dismembers his sister Coyolxauhqui which is shown on the stone)

-Calendar stone (central is the sungod, shows the days)

Function: -ceremonial place for the Aztec people -human sacrifice victims were thrown on this stone from atop the temple




Emily Su
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