Coatlicue, Mother of Gods. Cancun.

Coatlicue – Mother of Gods

 

As you travel along Kukulcan Boulevard, you will notice a series of monuments set against a backdrop of palm trees and tropical shrubs. These are faithful reproductions of ancient statues, found in various archeological sites throughout Mexico and the Mayan World, reflecting the enormous cultural heritage while enhancing the beauty of the Hotel Zone.

Standing 2.57 meters tall, the original statue of Coatlicue, the Aztec goddess of both the heavens and the underworld, dominates everything around her. She gave birth to the gods and to humankind but, as she frequently ate her progeny, Coatlicue was regarded as both the great creator and destroyer of life.

 

In the statue, Coatlicue´s head has been cut off and instead are two serpent´s head, symbolizing the flowing of blood. Around the goddess´ neck is a necklace of human hands and hearts with a skull pendant in the middle. Her hands and feet feature claws, as a symbol of her thirst of human blood and the brutality of her nature. Coatlicue´s torso is covered with human skin and her skirt is made from writhing snakes.

Coatlicue originally stood on the Great Temple in the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. The statue was buried by the Spaniards, who found this terrifying.