How important was religion to the Toltecs?
Still, religion was extremely important to the Toltecs. The kings and rulers of the Toltecs often served as priests of Tlaloc as well, erasing the line between civil and religious rule. Most of the buildings in the center of Tula had religious functions. Religion and gods were important to the Toltecs.
Were the Toltecs an actual ethnic group?
The historicist school of thought persisted well in to the 20th century, represented in the works of scholars such as David Carrasco, Miguel León-Portilla, Nigel Davies and H. B. Nicholson, which all held the Toltecs to have been an actual ethnic group.
What is the Toltec spirit?
A modern movement led by writer Miguel Ruiz is called "Toltec Spirit." In his famous book "The Four Agreements," Ruiz outlines a plan for creating happiness in your life. Ruiz' philosophy states that you should be diligent and principled in your personal life and try not to worry about things you cannot change.
What is the meaning of Tolteca religion?
TOLTEC RELIGION. TOLTEC RELIGION . In pre-Columbian central Mexico, Tolteca literally meant "people living at a place named Tollan [i.e., among the rushes].". However, even then the name had no single application, and it has none today.
What is Toltec spirituality?
Very loosely stated, this new "Toltec" spiritual belief system focuses on the self and one's relationship to things one cannot change. This modern spirituality has little or nothing to do with religion from the ancient Toltec civilization and should not be confused with it.
Who did the Toltec worship?
QuetzalcoatlThey worshiped only one god, whom they called Quetzalcoatl ("quetzal-feathered serpent"), a name also given to the highest priest of the deity.
What were the Toltecs known for?
The advent of the Toltecs marked the rise of militarism in Mesoamerica. They also were noted as builders and craftsmen and have been credited with the creation of fine metalwork, monumental porticoes, serpent columns, gigantic statues, carved human and animal standard-bearers, and peculiar reclining Chac Mool figures.
What is Toltec mythology?
The "Toltec Empire" was a semi-mythical origin story told by the Aztecs. Aztec oral histories described the Toltec capital Tollan as having buildings made of jade and gold. The Toltecs were said to have invented all the arts and sciences of the Aztecs, and their leaders were the noblest and wisest of people.
Are Toltecs Mayans?
Although the Toltecs were not on the same scale as the Ancient Maya with regard to trade, they nevertheless did trade with neighbors near and far. The Toltecs produced objects made from obsidian as well as pottery and textiles, which Toltec merchants might have used as trade goods.
What did the Toltecs eat?
They relied on food such as Maize, Avocados, beans, squash, potatoes, tomatoes, chiles, cotton, fruits, and cacao beans. Maiz was the most important, women would grind maize into a meal by rubbing the maize on grinding stone. The kinds of meats that the Toltec;s would eat were rabbits, deer, turkey, birds and rodents.
Are the Toltecs real?
The Toltec civilization flourished in ancient central Mexico between the 10th and mid-12th centuries. Continuing the Mesoamerican heritage left to them by earlier cultures, the Toltecs built an impressive capital at Tollan.
Did the Toltecs build pyramids?
The warrior Toltecs conquered the region around 1200 and rebuilt the pyramid as their ceremonial center.
Is the Aztecs older than the Toltecs?
Early Aztec History The Aztecs appeared in Mesoamerica–as the south-central region of pre-Columbian Mexico is known–in the early 13th century. Their arrival came just after, or perhaps helped bring about, the fall of the previously dominant Mesoamerican civilization, the Toltecs. Did you know?
Who are the descendants of the Toltecs?
Keen to intermarry into surviving Toltec royalty and nobility and claim the honour of Toltec descent, four of these peoples influence the rise of the Aztec empire, the Chichimecs, the Tepanecs, the Acolhua, and the Mexica. A direct descendant of the Toltecs is Atotoztli, fourteenth century ruler of Culhuacan.
How did the Toltec run their society?
Toltec empire's society was structured as a militaristic aristocracy. Since it was essentially a warrior tribe, warriors and tribes were the most...
What language did the Toltecs speak?
NahuatlNahuatl, the most important of the Uto-Aztecan languages, was the language of the Aztec and Toltec civilizations of Mexico.
What is the Toltec religion?
TOLTEC RELIGION . In pre-Columbian central Mexico, Tolteca literally meant "people living at a place named Tollan [i.e., among the rushes]." However, even then the name had no single application, and it has none today. Because there was more than one place called Tollan, the word Toltec refers not to a single culture or religion, but rather to at least five specific groups of people, all belonging to Postclassic Mesoamerica: (1) the inhabitants of what is now the archaeological site of Tula de Allende near Mexico City, (2) the inhabitants or, more precisely, the elite, called Toltec-Maya, of Chich é n Itz á, Yucat á n, (3) the inhabitants of Tollan as it is described in central Mexican historical documents of the sixteenth century, (4) militant leading groups in other parts of Mesoamerica claiming descent from a place called Tollan, (5) members of various, often quite different, ethnic groups, all bearing the typological name Tolteca, that migrated to central Mexico. In addition, the term Toltec was generally applied to any person who exhibited extraordinary skills, arts, or wisdom.
What is the Tollan Xicocotitlan?
As described in the written sources, Tollan Xicocotitlan was a sort of paradise. Thanks to their prudence, the inhabitants of Tollan possessed everything they needed in abundance, including maize and cotton, precious stones, and gold.
Where is the Tula de Allende?
The rather extensive archaeological site of Tula de Allende in the modern Mexican state of Hidalgo, 75 kilometers north-northwest of Mexico City, has been excavated professionally since 1940. Its main ceremonial center, Tula Grande, flourished from about 950 to 1200 ce (dates established by ceramic crossties but only very few radiocarbon readings). In its final shape, Tula Grande consisted of some ten hectares of magnificently arranged buildings, surrounded by ten to twelve square kilometers of living quarters. So far, Tula-Toltec religion can be reconstructed only from the archaeological remains of the main ceremonial center. In contrast to buildings of the earlier metropolitan civilization of the region, Teotihuacan, Tula-Toltec religious buildings were designed for the full participation of large groups of people, who gathered in pillared halls, or colonnades, along one side of the huge central square. Different types of benches along the walls of the colonnades suggest that they were intended for groups of people of varying rank, although all participants probably belonged to the social elite. Numerous bas-reliefs show them dressed as warriors and aligned in rows, emphasizing their function in the cult as a homogeneous group: no single person is highlighted.
What were the Toltec beliefs?
Toltec Religious Beliefs. The Toltec religion surrounded two gods. The first god was Quetzlcoatl, the plumed serpent god. Quetzlcoatl represented many ideas, including, but not limited to, learning, fertility, holiness, gentility, culture, philosophy, as well as good.
What is the Toltec myth?
It is much like basketball, as the goal is to get the ball through the hole on the wall, but one cannot touch the ball with one's hands. The Toltec peoples left no evidence of their creation myth, although it is believed that they had a general belief of life after death.
What was the second god in the Toltecs?
The second god in the religion was Tezcatlipoca, the smoked mirror. Texcatlipoca was the opposite of Quetzlcoatl, as he represented war, tyranny, and evil. In addition to Quetzlcoatl and Tezactlipoca , the Toltecs had many other gods, though little is known of what their names were and what they represented. Their religion thus was polytheistic.
Where are the Toltec temples?
Toltec Temples. Most of the temples of Toltec culture that have been discovered and studied are to be found at the ancient city of Tula , which served as the capital of the Toltec civilization. Interestingly, the city shares a similar design and layout to the Mayan city of Chichen Itza.
What is the nature of Tlaloc?
Tlaloc had a bit of a dual nature. On the one hand, he was a benevolent provider of rain to sustain the land. On the other, he was the creator of storms and destructive natural forces. When Quetzalcoatl and his brother created the world, Tlaloc was born when the two creators killed the ancient monster, Cipactli.
What did Tezcatlipoca do to lure him out of the water?
To lure him out of the water, Tezcatlipoca cut off his own foot to use as bait. After they killed the monster, he replaced this foot with an obsidian mirror or a snake. Note in this image of Tezcatlipoca his leg is missing and is replaced by a snake-like prosthetic.
What was the god of rain and storms?
Tlaloc, the god of rain and storms, was also considered important as the Toltecs relied on rain to grow their crops. One of the most important crops, maize, was also ruled over by a god: Centeotl. Finally, goddess of love and beauty, Xochiquetzal, holds a special importance as the creator/mother of humankind.
Who is the god of rain, water, storms, and agriculture?
This is one of the more common depictions of Quetzalcoatl, the plumed serpent. Tlaloc: Tlaloc was the god of rain, water, storms, and agriculture. Tlaloc had a bit of a dual nature.
Who was the god of maize?
Centeotl: Centeotl was the god of maize, or corn, perhaps the most important crop in Mesoamerican culture. While Quetzalcoatl gave the gift of maize to humankind, Centeotl has overseen its continued growth and fertility as Lord of the Maize.
Who was the goddess of youth, love, and beauty?
Xochiquetzal: Goddess of youth, love, and beauty, Xochiquetzal was no push-over among the Toltec gods. To show off just what kind of power she wielded, she once turned a priest into a scorpion after first seducing him. She was also the creator of humans and was mother to the first generation of gods.
What is the Toltec tradition?
The Toltec tradition is a philosophy or way of life that taught me how to make choices that result in happiness. This philosophy is based on the key concept that we don’t really see life at all; what we actually see is our filter system, which is composed of our beliefs, expectations, agreements, and assumptions.
What did the ancients believe about the nature of life?
The ancient ones understood the illusionary nature of reality and used the universal laws of nature to create a life based on unconditional love and self-discovery. They considered all of life to be part of the great mystery and knew there was no way to separate the secular from the sacred or science from spirit.
What is the Toltec spirit?
A modern movement led by writer Miguel Ruiz is called "Toltec Spirit.". In his famous book "The Four Agreements," Ruiz outlines a plan for creating happiness in your life. Ruiz' philosophy states that you should be diligent and principled in your personal life and try not to worry about things you cannot change.
What did the Toltecs do?
The warriors were organized into orders representing animals such as jaguars and gods including Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca. Toltec warriors wore headdresses, chest plates, and padded armor and carried a small shield on one arm. They were armed with short swords, atlatls (a weapon designed to throw darts at high velocity), and a heavy curved bladed weapon that was a cross between a club and an ax.
What did the Toltecs trade with?
Although the Toltecs were not on the same scale as the Ancient Maya with regard to trade, they nevertheless did trade with neighbors near and far. The Toltecs produced objects made from obsidian as well as pottery and textiles, which Toltec merchants might have used as trade goods. As a warrior culture, however, much of their incoming wealth may have been due to tribute than trade. Seashells from both Atlantic and Pacific species have been found at Tula, as well as pottery samples from as far away as Nicaragua. Some pottery fragments from contemporary Gulf-Coast cultures have also been identified.
Where is Tula located?
Although the Toltec City of Tula is located to the north of present-day Mexico City and the post-Maya city of Chichen Itza is located in the Yucatan, there's an undeniable connection between the two metropolises.
Where did the Aztecs come from?
Long after the fall of the Toltec civilization, the Aztecs came to dominate Central Mexico from their base of power in the Lake Texcoco region. The Aztecs, or Mexica, culture revered the lost Toltecs.
Where are the Chac Mool statues?
In the ceremonial plaza, there is a tzompantli, or skull rack, where the heads of sacrificial victims were placed.
Who was the founder of Tula?
In the historical record of the period, a story is told that Ce Atl Quetzalcoatl, the founder of Tula, got into a disagreement with the followers of the god Tezcatlipoca regarding how much human sacrifice was necessary to appease the gods.
Archaeology
Some archaeologists, such as Richard Diehl, argue for the existence of a Toltec archaeological horizon characterized by certain stylistic traits associated with Tula, Hidalgo and extending to other cultures and polities in Mesoamerica.
History of research
Tempo Tlahuizcalpantecuhtl (Pyramid B) is the largest and best known structure at the archaeological site of Tula. Atlantean figures are situated on the apex of the pyramid.
Further reading
Bancroft, Hubert Howe (1876). The Native Races of the Pacific States of North America: Primitive History. Vol. 5. D. Appleton.
What was the Aztec religion?
In Aztec. Aztec religion was syncretistic, absorbing elements from many other Mesoamerican cultures. At base, it shared many of the cosmological beliefs of earlier peoples, notably the Maya, such as that the present earth was the last in a series of creations and that it occupied a…. Read More.
What is the Aztec culture?
The Aztec culture, successor of earlier civilizations, together with the associated Maya culture, laid great emphasis on astronomical observation and on a complex religious calendar.
What was the most elaborated aspect of the Aztec culture?
In pre-Columbian civilizations: Aztec religion. Perhaps the most highly elaborated aspect of Aztec culture was the religious system. The Aztec derived much of their religious ideology from the earlier cultures of Meso-America or from their contemporaries. This was particularly true during the final phase of their history, when….
Which two cultures worshipped the gods of fire?
The Aztec of Mexico and the Inca of Peru worshiped gods of fire with sacred flames, which the Inca ignited by concentrating the Sun’s rays with a concave metallic mirror.
Who was the Aztec god of sacrifice?
human sacrifice to the Aztec war god, Huitzilopochtli. Aztec priest performing a sacrificial offering of a living human heart to the war god Huitzilopochtli, illustration from a reproduction of the Codex Magliabecchi. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (neg. no. LC-USZC4-743)
What did the Virgin represent in Chicomecóatl?
A virgin chosen to represent Chicomecóatl, after having danced for 24 hours, was then sacrificed and flayed. The celebrant, dressed in her skin, reenacted the same ritual dance to identify with the victim, who was viewed as the goddess. Read More.
The Toltec Civilization
The Sacred Precinct of Tula
- Religion and gods were important to the Toltecs. Their mighty city of Tula is dominated by the sacred precinct, a compound of pyramids, temples, ball courts, and other structures around an airy plaza. Pyramid C: The largest pyramid at Tula, Pyramid C has not been completely excavated and was extensively looted even before the Spanish arrived. It shares certain characteristics wit…
The Toltecs and Human Sacrifice
- Ample evidence at Tula shows that the Toltecs were dedicated practitioners of human sacrifice. On the western side of the main plaza, there is a tzompantli, or skull rack. It is not far from Ballcourt Two (which is probably not a coincidence). The heads and skulls of sacrificed victims were placed here for display. It is one of the earliest known tzompantlis, and probably the one th…
The Gods of The Toltecs
- The ancient Toltec civilization had many gods, chief among them Quetzalcoatl, Tezcatlipoca, and Tlaloc. Quetzalcoatl was the most important of these, and representations of his abound at Tula. During the apogee of the Toltec civilization, the cult of Quetzalcoatl spread throughout Mesoamerica. It even reached as far as the ancestral lands of the Maya, where similarities betw…
New Age Toltec Beliefs
- Some practitioners of "New Age" Spiritualism have adopted the term "Toltec" to refer to their beliefs. Chief among them is the writer Miguel Angel Ruiz, whose 1997 book has sold millions of copies. Very loosely stated, this new "Toltec" spiritual belief system focuses on the self and one's relationship to things one cannot change. This modern spirituality has little or nothing to do wit…
Sources
- Charles River Editors. The History and Culture of the Toltec. Lexington: Charles River Editors, 2014. Cobean, Robert H., Elizabeth Jiménez García and Alba Guadalupe Mastache. Tula.Mexico: Fondo de Cultura Economica, 2012. Coe, Michael D, and Rex Koontz. 6th Edition. New York: Thames and Hudson, 2008 Davies, Nigel. The Toltecs: Until the Fall of Tula. Norman: the Univers…
Toltecs of Tula
Toltec-Maya
Toltecs of Tollan Xicocotitlan
Tolteca Chichimeca
Conclusion
- Only a few characteristic elements common to various facets of "Toltec" religion can be singled out so far: a supreme deity, Quetzalcoatl, who gave his name to priests and rulers; a cult dominated by eagles and jaguars (i.e., the warriors); a ritual ball game as reenactment of cosmic processes; and the importance of human sacrifice. These traits, w...
Bibliography