Itzpapalotl [Goddess Of The Week]

[Fiamma]

Itzpapalotl is an Aztec goddess whose name means "Obsidian Butterfly". This butterfly's wings are edged in razor-sharp obsidian knives, she has the claws of a jaguar, the talons of an eagle, and another knife for a tongue. Sometimes she appears in the form of a deer, sometimes in the form of a beautiful woman.

Itzpapalotl is a fierce goddess of the night. She presides over the tzitzinime (female demons). She was feared by men as it was her tzitzinime that were said to attack young men at crossroads on certain days of the year. She often appears in the form of a woman with jaguar claws and a skull-like face, though she may also appear as beautiful and seductive. (http://www.amoxtli.org/cuezali/deities.html)


There are many websites out there that mention Itzpapalotl, though many of them are just copies of the same two or three lines over and over again. The links I've posted here are the ones that I've been able to find that both go beyond that, and are reasonably accurate. (There are far too many out there that reinterpret the Aztec deities to reflect an extremely watered-down, revisionist view of those that do not want to acknowledge that these deities are fierce, ferocious and can be extremely unpleasant.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itzpapalotl
http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/aztec-mythology.php?deity=ITZPAPALOTL
http://www.azteccalendar.com/god/Itzpapalotl.html

[-Sky-]

I have not studied the Aztec Pantheon so this is the first time i hear about her. But she seems like a very interesting and fierce Goddess!I like the way she is associated with butterflies and the night. But would have trouble pronouncing her name if i was a follower. I already have trouble pronouncing the names of my celtic deities.lol

[Fiamma]

I have not studied the Aztec Pantheon so this is the first time i hear about her. But she seems like a very interesting and fierce Goddess!I like the way she is associated with butterflies and the night. But would have trouble pronouncing her name if i was a follower. I already have trouble pronouncing the names of my celtic deities.lol

I was taught to pronounce the -l on the end of many Aztec words and names, however I've read in a number of places that the -l is silent. i took a class in college on Aztec art and history, and was required to learn to spell and pronounce huge lists of names...once you learn a few, they're pretty easy, even though they may took very complicated like Huehueteotl or Huitzilpochtli or Tlaquenahuaque

Itzpapalotl= Itz pop a lot l (or Itz pop a lot)

[forestrangergrrl]

she was a character (so to speak) in one of laurell k. hamilton's anita blake books. the title was obsidian butterfly (imagine that...) which is supposed to be what her name means i believe.

[SilverSeraphim]

she was a character (so to speak) in one of laurell k. hamilton's anita blake books. the title was obsidian butterfly (imagine that...) which is supposed to be what her name means i believe.

Yep...just got done re-reading that one a few days ago. :hahugh:

[Agaliha]

A few more links: :)

Itzpapalotl: Itzpapalotl, Goddess of Fire and Birds in Aztec Religion ... (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkkwWh0tGR9QAI4xXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE3bXRhcGc3BGNvbG8DdwRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMTAEc2VjA3NyBHZ0aWQDRjY1N V83NQ--/SIG=12kgdudbq/EXP=1179441302/**http%3a//atheism.about.com/od/aztecgodsgoddesses/p/Itzpapalotl.htm)
Xochiquetzal and Itzpapalotl Butterflies of Ancient Mexico (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkw8xh0tGs9AAd1tXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE3MGg4MG9hBGNvbG8DdwRsA1dTMQRwb3MDMjcEc2VjA3NyBHZ0aWQDRjY1N V83NQ--/SIG=11ranq4m4/EXP=1179441329/**http%3a//www.insects.org/ced4/itzpap.html)