In the world of the Aztecs, there were many gods, each with their own powers and responsibilities. Among them was Nanahuatl, who was considered the least powerful. Despite this, he was chosen for an incredibly important task: to create a new world. Before this, there had been four worlds, each started by a different “Lord Sun.” Unfortunately, each of these worlds was destroyed in different ways: the first by jaguars, the second by strong winds, the third by fiery rains, and the fourth by floods.
To begin the Fifth Sun, a god named Quetzalcoatl, also known as the “Feathered Serpent,” traveled to the underworld. He brought back the bones of beings from the previous worlds and used his own blood to create new life. However, for these new beings to have a world to live in, another god needed to jump into a great bonfire and become the new sun.
The gods had to choose who would take on this brave task. The Lord of Sustenance and the Lord of Fire picked Nanahuatl, while the Lord of Rain and the Lord of the Four Quarters chose a wealthy and proud god named Tecciztecatl. Both gods had to go through a four-day ritual of fasting and offering their blood. Nanahuatl used simple cactus thorns and fir branches for his offering, while Tecciztecatl used expensive jade spines and branches decorated with colorful quetzal feathers.
After the four days, the fire was ready. Tecciztecatl tried to approach the flames four times but was too scared to jump in. Nanahuatl, humble and determined, stepped forward. The other gods painted him with white and adorned him with feathers. Without fear, he leaped into the fire. An eagle, blackened by the flames, swooped down and carried Nanahuatl into the sky. There, he was bathed and placed on a throne, becoming the new sun.
Inspired by Nanahuatl’s bravery, Tecciztecatl finally jumped into the remaining fire. However, a jaguar could not lift him into the sky. When he reached the horizon, goddesses dressed him in simple clothes, and although he shone brightly, his light was dimmed by a rabbit thrown at him by one of the gods, as a reminder of his hesitation and pride.
Even though Nanahuatl became the new sun, the world was not complete. For four days, he shone brightly but did not move across the sky. The gods were worried and sent Obsidian Hawk to find out why. Nanahuatl explained that he needed the nourishing blood of the other gods to move, just as he had sacrificed himself to become the sun.
At first, the gods were angry, especially Lord Dawn, who attacked Nanahuatl. But Nanahuatl defended himself, turning Lord Dawn to frost. Realizing the importance of Nanahuatl’s sacrifice, the gods gathered to discuss what to do. They knew they had to help him, just as he had helped them. Remembering Tecciztecatl’s eventual bravery, five gods agreed to sacrifice themselves. One by one, they offered their bodies, and with the help of Quetzalcoatl, the sun finally began to move across the sky, marking the start of the fifth age.
Thanks to Nanahuatl’s courage, the sun now travels its daily path, with the moon following behind. This story reminds us of the power of determination and the importance of helping one another.
Illustrate the story of Nanahuatl and the creation of the Fifth Sun by creating a comic strip. Use your creativity to depict the key events, such as the selection of Nanahuatl, the leap into the flames, and the eventual movement of the sun across the sky. This will help you visualize the sequence of events and understand the narrative better.
In groups, choose different characters from the myth, such as Nanahuatl, Tecciztecatl, Quetzalcoatl, and the other gods. Act out the story, focusing on the emotions and motivations of each character. This will give you a deeper understanding of the characters’ roles and the themes of sacrifice and bravery.
Imagine you are Nanahuatl. Write a diary entry describing your thoughts and feelings before and after jumping into the flames. Consider what it means to be chosen for such an important task and how it feels to become the sun. This exercise will help you empathize with Nanahuatl and explore the theme of courage.
Create a map that illustrates the journey of Quetzalcoatl to the underworld and the path of the sun across the sky. Include important locations and events from the myth. This activity will help you connect the geographical and mythical elements of the story.
Hold a class discussion or debate about the themes of the myth, such as sacrifice, bravery, and the importance of helping one another. Discuss how these themes are relevant in today’s world. This will encourage you to think critically about the story and its moral lessons.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided transcript:
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Nanahuatl, the least powerful of the Aztec gods, was chosen to create a new world. There had been four previous worlds, each initiated by its own “Lord Sun,” and each ultimately destroyed: the first by jaguars, the second by winds, the third by rains of fire, and the fourth by floods. To establish the Fifth Sun, Lord Quetzalcoatl, known as the “Feathered Serpent,” journeyed to the underworld and returned with the bones of earlier beings, using his own blood to bring forth new life. However, for these beings to have a world to inhabit, another god needed to leap into the great bonfire and become the fifth sun.
The Lord of Sustenance and the Lord of Fire selected Nanahuatl for this task, while the Lord of Rain and the Lord of the Four Quarters chose their own candidate: the proud and wealthy Tecciztecatl. The chosen gods had to undergo a four-day fasting and bloodletting ritual. Nanahuatl had only cactus thorns to draw blood and fir branches to paint with his offering, but he was determined to do his best. In contrast, Tecciztecatl showcased his wealth, using beautiful jade spines and branches adorned with vibrant quetzal feathers for his offering.
When the four days concluded, the fire blazed high. Tecciztecatl approached the flames four times but hesitated each time out of fear. Humble Nanahuatl stepped forward, and the other gods adorned him with white paint and feathers. Without hesitation, he leaped into the flames. A fire-blackened eagle swooped down, lifted Nanahuatl, and carried him into the sky. There, Lord and Lady Sustenance bathed him, placed him on a feathered throne, and wrapped a red band around his head. Inspired by Nanahuatl, Tecciztecatl finally threw himself into the remnants of the fire, but a jaguar could not carry him into the sky. When Tecciztecatl reached the horizon, a group of goddesses dressed him in simple garments, yet he still shone brightly. However, due to his lack of bravery and excess pride, one of the gods diminished his light by tossing a rabbit in his face.
Despite this, the fifth world was not fully established. Nanahuatl, now Lord Sun, shone for four days without moving across the sky like the previous suns. The gods in Teotihuacan grew concerned and sent Obsidian Hawk to inquire about the issue. Nanahuatl explained that just as he had sacrificed himself to become Lord Sun, he now required the nourishing blood of the other gods to move across the sky. Angered by this request, Lord Dawn shot an arrow at Lord Sun, who retaliated, striking Lord Dawn in the face and turning him to frost.
Before further rash actions could occur, the other gods convened to discuss the situation. No one wanted to sacrifice themselves, but they also did not want to emulate Lord Dawn’s behavior. They recognized that Nanahuatl had fulfilled his promise to nourish the earth—how could they refuse to nourish him in return? They recalled how even the less courageous Tecciztecatl had eventually shown bravery. Ultimately, five other gods agreed to make the sacrifice. One by one, Lord Death used an obsidian knife to offer their bodies to the new Lord Sun. As the last god made the sacrifice, Lord Quetzalcoatl reignited the embers of the great fire, allowing the sun to finally move across the sky, ushering in the fifth age. Thanks to the determination of Nanahuatl, whose courage inspired the other gods, the sun now follows its daily path, with the moon following in its wake.
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This version maintains the essence of the original story while removing any potentially sensitive or inappropriate language.
Aztecs – A Mesoamerican culture that flourished in central Mexico in the post-classic period from 1300 to 1521. – The Aztecs built a powerful empire and were known for their impressive architectural and cultural achievements.
Gods – Supernatural beings or deities worshipped in various religions, often believed to have control over certain aspects of the world. – The Aztecs worshipped many gods, each representing different elements of nature and human life.
Nanautzin – In Aztec mythology, a humble god who sacrificed himself to become the sun. – Nanautzin’s bravery and selflessness were celebrated in Aztec stories as he became the sun after his sacrifice.
Tecciztecatl – An Aztec god who attempted to become the sun but became the moon instead due to his hesitation. – Tecciztecatl’s story teaches the importance of courage and determination in Aztec mythology.
Sun – The star at the center of our solar system, often worshipped as a deity in many ancient cultures. – The Aztecs believed that the sun needed human sacrifices to rise each day.
Sacrifice – The act of offering something valuable to a deity as a form of worship or appeasement. – The Aztecs practiced human sacrifice as a way to honor their gods and ensure the continuation of the world.
Bravery – The quality of being courageous and willing to face danger or challenges. – Nanautzin’s bravery was admired by the other gods when he stepped into the flames to become the sun.
World – The earth and all its inhabitants, often considered in a spiritual or mythological context. – In Aztec mythology, the world was created and destroyed several times by the gods.
Quetzalcoatl – An important deity in Aztec mythology, often depicted as a feathered serpent and associated with wisdom and wind. – Quetzalcoatl was revered as a creator god and a symbol of learning and culture.
Flames – The visible, gaseous part of a fire, often associated with destruction and purification in religious contexts. – The flames consumed Nanautzin as he sacrificed himself to become the sun, illuminating the world.
