British Museum
2
MEXICO
1. Sculptured stone vase
2. Stone Figure of Quetzalcoatl
(Scale: ¼th)
We now come to a deity of great importance, the sun, called by the name of Tonatiuh, and the calendrical name of Naui Olin (“Four Movement,” Fig. [4, e]). This god is easily recognizable by the sun-disc, set about with divergent rays, which he carries, and by his nose-ornament and long quetzal-feathers. Mexican legend recognizes no less than four previous suns, each marking a world period, and each terminating in a convulsion of nature which resulted in a universal destruction. Accounts differ as regards the order of these suns, but the authentic version is probably that which is supported by the so-called “calendar-stone” figured on Pl. [VIII, 1], and Fig. [8]. According to this version, when all was dark, Tezcatlipoca transformed himself into the sun to give light to men. This sun, known by the calendrical name of Naui Ocelotl (Four Ocelot), terminated in the destruction of mankind, including a race of giants, by jaguars. Quetzalcoatl became the second sun, called Naui Eecatl (“Four Wind”), and the age terminated in a terrible hurricane, during which mankind was transformed into monkeys. The third sun, Naui Quiauitl (“Four Rain”), was Tlaloc, and the destruction came by means of a rain of fire. The fourth was Chalchiuhtlicue, Naui Atl (“Four Water”), and mankind was finally destroyed by a deluge, during which they became fishes. The present sun, Naui Olin (“Four Movement”) is destined to conclude with an earthquake.
Fig. 6.—The moon.