Art Studio

Various art supplies, paint, chisels, casts, are arranged neatly on tables for display. Other tables have specific items like golden bells.

Obsidian Cross says: Iconography is important for identifying deities, and they're not as clear cut as you may think. You'll need to look for more than black bands and mirrors to find everything here.

Symbols of Tezcatlipoca

The black band across his face and obsidian mirror as a foot are striking symbols you'll see in pretty much any modern art of Tezcatlipoca, but it's not all there is to his iconography. Sometimes one of his feet was skeletal, or he had both of his feet still attached.

The ezpitzal is a symbol linked to Tezcatlipoca consisting of a heart at the center of six streams of blood each ending in a 'precious stone,' it possibly represents his divine anger. Knowledge of the specifics around this symbol appears to have been gradually lost post conquest as evidenced in art.

Bells are an underappreciated ornament Tezcatlipoca is shown with, he is even referred to as 'the god of tinker bells' in one source. These are generally shown tied around his arms and legs.

Site Navigation

Temple Grounds

• -Return to the Entrance to review basic site info.
• -Tour the Zoo to see all the animals linked to Tezcatlipoca, there's much more than just jaguars.
• -Gaze at the celestial bodies of Tezcatlipoca in our Observatory.

First Floor

• -Stop by the Museum to learn about the physical objects related to Tezcatlipoca, and how John Dee of all people is connected to him.
• -Visit the Library for books and links to learn more about Tezcatlipoca. This is also where the website's sources are listed.

Second Floor

• -Our Art Studio will show you the iconography associated with Tezcatlipoca in art and how flexible his depictions could be. You are here.
• -To see Tezcatlipoca in non-Aztec contexts, including post-conquest ones, you can visit the Embassy.

Third Floor

• -In the Hall of Mirrors you will see Tezcatlipoca's various other names and aspects not covered by other parts of the temple (he has a lot).
• -The Hall of Feathers is where you can see the connections Tezcatlipoca has to other deities, especially Quetzalcoatl.

Fourth Floor

• -At the Throne Room you can read about the roles Tezcatlipoca played at each level of society.
• -Looking at the Webmaster's Room will tell you more about the person behind this website.

The Top

• -Read about historical rituals and modern honoring of Tezcatlipoca at the Altar.