Mictlancihuatl – Lady of Death
Mictlancihuatl is Queen of Mictlan, the Aztec realm of death, which she presides over with her husband, Mictlantecuhtli. She guards the bones. Mictlancihuatl also presides over the Aztec festival of the dead, which evolved into the modern Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos (“Day of the Dead”). She is sometimes described as having been destined to become Lady Death. Sacrificed as an infant, she was essentially born to die. The spirit La Santissima Muerte may be a modern manifestation of Mictlancihuatl.
ORIGIN:
Mexico
COLOUR:
Red
Bird:
Owl
Time:
The fifth hour
Feast:
Day of the Dead, culminating on 2 November. The length of the festival—days to weeks—depends on location.
Mictlancihuatl and Mictlantecuhtli, partners in death, are venerated together. They may be petitioned for peaceful, painless death at the appropriate time.
SEE ALSO:
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.
Variations: Lady of the Place of the Dead, Mectecaciuatl
The ancient Aztec people both feared and revered the vampiric moon goddess Mictecaciuatl. She was seen as both a creator and a destroyer. Her arms, face, and hands were painted white with chalk, just like the other vampiric women in Aztec lore, CIHUACOATL and CIHUATETEO. Mictecaciuatl lived with her husband, MICT-LAMPA, in the dark but restful underworld known as Mictlan. Their home plane was filled with the souls of men who drowned or did not die in battle and women who died in childbirth. When a person died in such a way that they were bound for Mictlan, along with their personal possessions, they were buried with bribes specifically for Mictecaciuatl; it was hoped that by her accepting them, she would in turn make their afterlife as comfortable as possible.
Sources:
- Seler, Codex Fejérváry-Mayer, 52, 105, 191 92;
- Soustelle, Daily Life of the Aztecs, 107;
- Turner, Dictionary of Ancient Deities, 321
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology Written by :Theresa Bane ©2010 Theresa Bane. All rights reserved