THE REAL SMOKING MIRROR

TEZCATLIPOCA <:> DEITY OF INTROSPECTION

Long before the arrival of the first European colonizers to the land now known as America, life on the continent was based to a great extent on the worship of the gods. For the Mexica (Aztec) people of central Mexico, Tezcatlipoca was one of the most powerful and influential gods. He personified the sun in the mystery of passion, cosmic death, and resurrection. He pushed everything towards annihilation, which in turn brought rebirth. He represented the dark side of existence.

tezcatlipoca

Tezcatlipoca

 Another powerful deity, Quetzalcoatl, was Tezcatlipoca's counterpart. He represented the light, opposite to Tezcatlipoca's darkness. The Mexica, as well as many other cultures throughout the world, believed that creation was the result of conflict between complementary oppositional forces. The interaction and exchange between Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca resulted in the creation of this world.

Tezcatlipoca, literally translated, means Smoking Mirror. This refers to a mirror made of polished black obsidian, his omniscient window to the entire world. Tezcatlipoca typically appears with a smoking obsidian mirror located at the back of his head, and another which replaces one of his feet.


the real mirror

The Smoking Mirror

EARTH CREATION STORY

Prior to the existence of humankind, the surface of the Earth was covered entirely by water. Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl dwelled in the heavens, while Tlatecuhtli, the great caiman, lived under the water. Tezcatlipoca, always the trickster, one day decided to tempt Tlatecuhtli to emerge from the water. He lured her to the surface by putting his big foot into the water. Suddenly, she bit Tezcatlipoca's foot and wouldn't let go. In the struggle, Tlatecuhtli lost her jaw and Tezcatlipoca lost his foot. Unable to return to the sea, the great caiman's spiny, crocodilian back formed the mountain ridges of the world, and the Earth as we know it. The other gods later replaced Tezcatlipoca's foot with a round mirror, partially as a reminder to him of what he had done.
In another version of the story, Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca came together as allies to defeat the great caiman Tlatecuhtli. They transformed themselves into giant serpents and descended to the waters where Tlatecuhtli dwelled. When they found Tlatecuhtli, each serpent grabbed a hand and a foot. They pulled in opposite directions, tearing the great caiman apart. The dismemberment of Tlatecuhtli resulted in the creation of the Earth.


quetzalcoatl

Quetzalcoatl

This act by Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl angered the other deities. To console the mutilated caiman, the deities decreed that all the tribes of humankind would live on her rugged back. All plants needed for human life would grow from her body. From her hair were fashioned trees, flowers and herbs. From her skin came the grasses and small flowers. Her eyes became the sources of wells, springs and small caves. From her mouth came the great rivers and caverns, and from her nose came the mountain ridges and valleys. The Earth had been formed.