The Stone of Coyolxauhqui

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In Aztec mythology, Coyolxauhqui was a daughter of Coatlicue and Mixcoatl, and she led the Centzon Huitznahuas, the southern star gods. Coyolxauhqui ruled her brothers, the Four Hundred Southerners, but when they learned their mother, Coatlicue, was pregnant, convinced she had dishonored them all, they attacked her. A large stone relief at the base of the Templo Mayor stairs shows this story, with Coyolxauhqui spread out on her side, her head, arms and legs chopped away from her body. Her position in the carving represents the full moon, but other scholars believe she is the Goddess of the Milky Way or associated with patterns of stars linked to Huitzilopochtli. She wears bells of eagle down in her hair, a bell symbol on her cheek, and an ear tab showing the Mexica year sign. Like images of her mother, she has a skull tied to her belt. Scholars also believe Coyolxauhqui's decapitation reflects warrior ritual sacrifice patterns, where captives' hearts were cut out first, then their bodies cast from the temple. At the stairs' bottom, near the Coyolxauhqui stone, bodies were decapitated and dismembered. This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks for public access. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items around you and want to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can help.