Yacatecuhtli

Yacatecuhtli (also Yacatecutli, Yacacoliuhqui, Yiacatecutli or Yiacatecuhtli ) was in the Aztec pantheon of the god of merchants, traders and travelers. Its name in Nahuatl gentleman with the sharp nose. Yacatecuhtli was also general at the head of the one who goes ahead, within the meaning.

Representation

In pictorial representations Yacatecuhtli is crossed paths on which he carries on his back and showing the footprints of travelers in the four cardinal directions as well as recognized by a strikingly long nose. Often a group of slaves is assigned to it and almost regular way of a walking stick.

Role

Yacatecutli was mainly from the Pochteca ( singular: Pochtecatl ), adored, the members of a dealer Brotherhood, which controlled the slave trade in henotheistischer way. Among the Aztecs, the trade played a major role. Accordingly, the merchants had a great reputation and their businesses were subject to strict regulatory controls. During their travels the trade wholesale merchants fulfill political tasks. They explored on behalf of the Aztec ruler unknown territories, met trainers diplomatic contacts, made ​​of maps. Move the presence Yacatecuhtlis was symbolized by a walking stick, which the dealer posted by happy return in the temple and honored with offerings. Came a dealer on the trip died, it was believed that he was going, just like a fallen warrior, directly in the highest level of the afterlife, Tonatiuh Ichan (also Ichan Tonatuih Ilhuicac ), a. During the 17th month of the Aztec tititl from 31.12 -. 19.1. were sacrificed Yacatecuhtli slaves. They were beheaded.

Cult traces on the present

In Otatitlan, a place of pilgrimage between Mexico City and Oaxaca, year after year, is venerated on May 3, by Native American believers, a black Christ. However, the tradition goes back to pre-Christian times and originally referred to Yacatecutli. Allegedly Yacatecutli have transformed by the conversion of the Aztecs to Christianity in a black Christ statue.