OZOMAHTLI
The name for monkey in Nahuatl (language of the Aztecs) is Ozomahtli. Ozomahtli was considered the companion spirit ('nahual') and servant of the god Xochipilli (god of music and dance). The Aztec Monkey is also a trickster. As such, the Ozomahtli represents art and creativity in a non-traditional way ("playfully outside the box").
Monkey is formed with the head of a monkey and a star glyph for the eye, showing Monkey's gaze on the stars. Hair standing on end in contrast to the hairless dogs of ancient Mexico, Monkey wears crafted jewelry with an earring, showing higher development than what would be expected for lower primates.
The monkey is the name of the 11th day on the Mesoamerican calender, is associated with the cardinal direction West, and is related to Quetzalcoatl in his guise as Ehecatel.
MICTLAN
Mictlan (Nahuatl) is the underworld of Aztec mythology. Mictlan was located for to the north and consisted in nine distinct levels.
Mictlan was ruled by a king, Mictlantecuhtli ("Lord of the Underworld" or "Lord of Mictlan") and his wife Mictecacihuatl ("Lade of the Underworld"). There were several other deities in Mictlan, but Mictlantecuhtli was the most prominent as king of the lowest and northermost section of the underworld (Chicunauhmictlan).
Mictlantecuhtli was depicted as a blood-spattered skeleton or a person wearing a tooth skull. Although his head was typically a skull, his eye sockets did contain eyeballs, but he often kept his eyes closed, as he did not need eyes to see. His headress was shown decorated with owl feathers and paper banners, and he wore a necklace of human eyeballs, while his earspools were made from human bones.
CALAVERA
The word "calavera" is Spanish for "skull" and can refer to a number of cultural phenomena associated with the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead and the Roman Catholic holiday, All Souls Day. Some examples:
- calaveras de azucar ("sugar skulls") are used to adorn altars and can be eaten
- calaveras literarias are poems, written for the Day of the Dead, but intended to humorously criticize the living
- calavera can refer to any artistic representations of skulls
MIQUIZTLI
Nahuatl word for "death." Miquiztli is one (Day 6) of the 20 days in the Aztec month. Miquiztli is governed by Tecciztecatl, the Moon God, as its provider of tonalli (Shadow Soul) life energy.
COATL
Nahuatl word for "serpent" or "twin." Coatl is one of the 20 day-signs in the Aztec calendar. Coatli is a Nahuatl word for "water serpent" and is used as a name for several medicinal plants.