Tonatiuh

Tonatiuh In Aztec mythology, a sun god, fourth in a series of sun gods. Tonatiuh gave strength to warriors, receiving them along with women who died in childbirth, into his paradise, which was identical with Tollan (place of the seed), the Aztec paradise where crops grew in abundance. Offerings of human hearts and blood were made to the god. In some Aztec accounts he was thought of as an eagle who flew near the sun with the souls of the heroic dead.

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