Tezcatlipoca Aztec God of Night and Smoking Mirrors

Tezcatlipoca (Tez-ca-tlee-POH-ka), whose name means â€Å"Smoking Mirror†, was the Aztec god of night and sorcery, as well as the patron deity of Aztec kings and young warriors. As with many Aztec gods, he was associated with several aspects of Aztec religion, the sky, and the earth, winds and the north, kingship, divination, and war. For the different aspects he embodied, Tezcatlipoca was also known as the Red Tezcatlipoca of the West, and the Black Tezcatlipoca of the North, associated with death and cold. According to Aztec mythology, Tezcatlipoca was a vengeful god, who could see and punish any evil behavior or action happening on earth. For these qualities, Aztec kings were considered Tezcatlipoca’s representatives on earth; at their election, they had to stand in front of the god’s image and perform several ceremonies in order to legitimize their right to rule. A Supreme Deity Recent research suggests that Tezcatlipoca was one of the most important gods in the Late Postclassic Aztec pantheon. He was an old-style pan-Mesoamerican god, considered the embodiment of the natural world, a frightening figure who was both omnipresent--on earth, in the land of the dead, and in the sky--and omnipotent. He rose to importance during the politically dangerous and unstable times of the Late Postclassic Aztec and early Colonial periods. Tezcatlipoca was known as the Lord of the Smoking Mirror. That name is a reference to obsidian mirrors, circular flat shiny objects made of volcanic glass, as well as a symbolic reference to the smoke of battle and sacrifice. According to ethnographic and historical sources, he was very much a god of light and shadow, of the sound and smoke of bells and battle. He was closely associated with obsidian (itzli in the Aztec language) and jaguars (ocelotl). Black obsidian is of the earth, highly reflective and a vital part of human blood sacrifices. Jaguars were the epitome of hunting, warfare, and sacrifice to the Aztec people, and Tezcatlipoca was the familiar feline spirit of Aztec shamans, priests, and kings. Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl Tezcatlipoca was the son of the god Ometà ©otl, who was the original creator entity. One of Tezcatlipoca’s brothers was Quetzalcoatl. Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca joined forces to create the surface of the earth but later became fierce enemies in the city of Tollan. For this reason, Quetzalcoatl is sometimes known as the White Tezcatlipoca to distinguish him from his brother, the Black Tezcatlipoca. Many Aztec legends hold that Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl were the gods who originated the world, told in the myth of the Legend of the Fifth Sun. According to Aztec mythology, prior to the current times, the world had passed through a series of four cycles, or â€Å"suns†, each one represented by a specific deity, and each one ending in a turbulent way. The Aztecs believed they lived in the fifth and last epoch. Tezcatlipoca ruled the first sun when the world was inhabited by giants. A fight between Tezcatlipoca and the god Quetzalcoatl, who wanted to replace him, put an end to this first world with the giants being devoured by jaguars. Opposing Forces The opposition between Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca is reflected in the legend of the mythical city of Tollan. The legend reports that Quetzalcoatl was a peaceful king and priest of Tollan, but he was deceived by Tezcatlipoca and his followers, who practiced human sacrifice and violence. Ultimately, Quetzalcoatl was forced into exile. Some archaeologists and historians believe that the legend of the fight between Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl refers to historical events such as the clash of different ethnic groups from the North and Central Mexico. Tezcatlipoca’s Festivities To Tezcatlipoca was dedicated one of the most ostentatious and imposing ceremonies of the Aztec religious calendar year. This was the Toxcatl or One Drought sacrifice, which was celebrated at the height of the dry season in May and involved the sacrifice of a boy. A young man was chosen at the festival among the most physically perfect prisoners. For the next year, the young man personified Tezcatlipoca, traveling through the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan attended by servants, fed with delicious food, wearing the finest clothing, and being trained in music and religion. About 20 days before the final ceremony he was married to four virgins who entertained him with songs and dances; together they wandered Tenochtitlans streets. The final sacrifice took place at Toxcatls May celebrations. The young man and his entourage traveled to the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlan, and as he walked up the stairs of the temple he played music with four flutes that represented the worlds directions; he would destroy the four flutes on his way up the stairs. When he reached the top, a group of priests carried out his sacrifice. As soon as this happened, a new boy was chosen for the following year. Tezcatlipoca’s Images In his human form, Tezcatlipoca is easily recognizable in codex images by the black stripes painted on his face, depending on the aspect of the god that was represented, and by an obsidian mirror on his chest, through which he could see all human thoughts and actions. Symbolically, Tezcatlipoca is also often represented by an obsidian knife. Tezcatlipoca is sometimes illustrated as the jaguar deity Tepeyollotl (Heart of the Mountain). Jaguars are the patron of sorcerers and closely associated with the moon, Jupiter, and Ursa Major. In some images, a smoking mirror replaces Tezcatlipocas lower leg or foot. The earliest recognized representations of the pan-Mesoamerican god Tezcatlipoca are associated with Toltec architecture at the Temple of Warriors at Chichà ©n Itzà ¡, dated to AD 700-900. There is also at least one image of Tezcatlipoca at Tula; the Aztecs clearly associated Tezcatlipoca with the Toltecs. But images and contextual references to the god became much more abundant during the Late Postclassic period, at Tenochtitlan and Tlaxcallan sites such as Tizatlan. There are a few Late Postclassic images outside the Aztec empire including one at Tomb 7 at the Zapotec capital of Monte Alban in Oaxaca, which may represent a continuing cult.   Sources Berdan FF. 2014. Aztec Archaeology and Ethnohistory. New York: Cambridge University Press.Klein CF. 2014. Gender Ambiguity and the Toxcatl Sacrifice. In: Baquedano E, editor. Tezcatlipoca: Trickster and Supreme Deity. Boulder: University Press of Colorado. p 135-162.Saunders NJ, and Baquedano E. 2014. Introduction: Symbolizing Tezcatlipoca. In: Baquedano E, editor. Tezcatlipoca: Trickster and Supreme Deity. Boulder: University Press of Colorado. p 1-6.Smith ME. 2013. The Aztecs. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.Smith ME. 2014. The Archaeology of Tezcatlipoca. In: Baquedano E, editor. Tezcatlipoca: Trickster and Supreme Deity. Boulder: University Press of Colorado. p 7-39.Taube KA. 1993. Aztec and Maya Myths. Fourth Edition. Austin TX: University of Texas Press.Van Tuerenhout DR. 2005 The Aztecs. New Perspectives. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO Inc.

The Etiology And Prevalence Of Asd - 916 Words

Autism spectrum disorder is not a single disorder, it comprises of a very diverse group of neurodevelopmental disorders. According to the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder 5th edition (DSM-V), diagnosis of ASDs includes three main deficits which are; having difficulties with social interaction and communication and deficit in behaviour, for example individual with ASD tend to repeat the same behaviour and they tend to be preoccupied. Under the DSM- V ASD consist of Asperger syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and childhood disintegrative. This essay will discuss the Etiology and prevalence of ASD as well as the treatments and interventions for ASD. Research study findings will be used as evidence to support the efficacy of these treatments for ASD. Finally this essay will briefly consider some limitations of these treatments. Several empirical researches suggest that ASD is heritable and that genetic component is the key factor involved in vulnerability to ASD; most of this evidence comes from twins and family studies. Silverman et al (2002) supports the claim that ASD is genetically determined. They found that ASD was present in multiple cases within extended families. Similarly, researchers have shown that ASD is linked with several genes, such as GABRA4, GABRA2, GABRA3 etc. Ma et al., (2005), provides support for this claim, they found that GABRA4, GABRR2, GABRA2 and GABRB1 are all linked to ASD.Show MoreRelatedAutism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd ) Essay1386 Words   |  6 PagesAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, as well as behaviors (e.g. movements, interests and activities) that are restricted and repetitive1,2. 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Causes and Treatments of Bone Fractures Essay Sample free essay sample

A bone break is defined as a partial or complete interruption in the bone. ( Brigham Womens Hospital. 2008 ) The mean individual has two breaks in their life-time. ( WebMD. 2012 ) There are many assorted grounds for a break. and each twelvemonth about one point five million people suffer from one. ( WebMD. 2012 ) The following will depict the legion types of breaks. every bit good as the methods that have been developed to handle them. The most common three causes of breaks are trauma. Osteoporosis. and overexploitation. ( OrthoInfo. 2012 ) Trauma typically comes from a autumn or some type of accident that causes direct hurt to the bone. This type is the most common among kids. but varies in badness throughout a life-time. â€Å"Osteoporosis. or porous bone. is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural impairment of bone tissue. taking to cram breakability and an increased hazard of breaks of the hip. spinal column. and wrist† ( NIH. We will write a custom essay sample on Causes and Treatments of Bone Fractures Essay Sample or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 2013 ) . This is a disease that can impact both work forces and adult females. and can besides be prevented. ( NIH. 2013 ) This disease consequences in loss of bone mass. which makes castanetss more brickle and easier to interrupt. Women. the aged. and people who smoke are more at hazard to acquire this disease. but even without these factors. people can still be diagnosed with this. ( NIH. 2013 ) A break that’s due to overdrive is besides known as a emphasis break. A stress break is defined as â€Å"a hairline cleft in the bone that develops because of perennial or drawn-out forces against the bone† ( OrthoInfo. 2012 ) . Stress breaks are most common in persons who play athleticss or have a occupation that requires changeless motion. These are the hurts that take the longest to detect. and sometimes even the longest to handle. Even though some intervention methods have developed throughout the old ages. the most common manner to repair this hurt is still through cast immobilisation. This puts the bone back into place and keeps it there until it â€Å"knits† back together. The other manner to travel about mending a bone is to run on the hurt. This is normally done with unfastened decrease and external arrested development. During the operation. castanetss are put back in the normal alliance and so assist together by particular prison guards and metal home bases. ( OrthoInfo. 2012 ) Recovery times from a break vary between a few hebdomads to a few months depending on the badness of your hurt. Following doctors’ orders and restricting emphasis on the hurt can assist to rush this up in many instances. ( OrthoInfo. 2012 ) There are many ways to avoid holding unneeded breaks. This can include taking vitamins to beef up your castanetss or taking excess safety safeguards to avoid acquiring injured. Finally they will develop faster and easier inventions in handling breaks. but for now it’s still the conventional â€Å"old school† methods and therapy. Mentions Brigham Womens Hospital. ( 2008 ) . Types of Fractures.Retrieved from hypertext transfer protocol: //healthlibrary. brigamandwomens. org/relateditems/89. P07392 National Institutes of Health. ( 2013 ) . Osteoporosis Overview.Retrieved from hypertext transfer protocol: //www. niams. National Institutes of Health. gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/Overview OrthoInfo. ( 2012 ) . Fractures ( Broken Bones ) .Retrieved from hypertext transfer protocol: //orthoinfo. aaos. org/topic. cfm? topic=a00139 WebMD. ( 2012 ) . Understanding Bone Fractures—-The Basicss.Retrieved fromhypertext transfer protocol: //www. webmd. com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-fractures-basic-information