Tzitzimime

Tzitsimine (the monsters descending from above) In Aztec mythology, spirits of women who died in childbirth and who returned to plague the living. They appeared skull-faced and brought children sickness and injury, as well as contagious diseases. Sometimes a Tzitsimine would appear sitting on a lonely rock, weeping. When a passerby would ask what was wrong, she would display her skull face, frightening the person almost to death.

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