Sunday, July 15, 2012

Gods And Goddesses: Xipe


Xipe-Totec or simply Xipe is the Aztec god of disease, spring and agriculture. He wears flayed skins and each spring people were flayed alive in his honour. Xipe is the son of Ometecuhtli and he is the patron of goldsmiths. His name means “Our Lord the Flayed One”.

The Aztec month of Tlacaxipeualiztli had Xipe as the patron of it, with the name of the month meaning “The act of wearing skins”. The month itself occurred during March. A hymn called Yoalli Tlauana, or Night Drinker, was sung in honour of Xipe as the good rains during the night.

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