Xiuhcoatl's Warrior Form (Art by Juan Calle)
Xiuhcoatl (meaning either turquoise serpent or fire serpent) was serpent-like object that served as the primary weapon of Huītzilōpōchtli, the patron god of the Aztec Empire.
Overview[]
In the Postclassic period, the Xiuhcoatl fire serpent was associated with the three concepts associated with its tail-sign: turquoise, grass, and the solar year. All three of these concepts were associated with the element of fire in central Mexico during the Postclassic, with dry grass and the solar year being closely identified with fire and solar heat.
Description[]
In Nahuatl, the word xihuitl means "year", "turquoise", and "grass". Often, the tail of Xiuhcoatl is marked with the Aztec symbol for "grass". The body of the Xiuhcoatl was wrapped with knotted strips of paper, linking the serpent to bloodletting and sacrifice.
Regarded as the avatar or spirit form of Xiuhtecuhtli, Xiuhcoatl is interpreted as the embodiment of the dry season and was the weapon of the sun. In its inert state the weapon appears as an ordinary alatl, a spear throwing device used by Aztec warriors to propel javelins with lethal velocity at their opponents. However, when wielded by a god of war the object takes on a life of its own, behaving as fearsome snake with the ability to launch scorching flames from its mouth.
