Paynal

Paynal (Paynalton) (he who hastens) is in an Aztec rite, the name given to the man who played the part of the war god Huitzilopochtli. According to Fray Bernardino de Sahagún in Historia general de las cosas de Nueva España (1570–1582), this deputy god “had to go personally to summon men so that they might go forthwith to fight the enemy.” When Paynal died he was honored by the people.

SEE ALSO:

• Aztec Mythology
• Meso American Mythology

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow– Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante