Relationship: One of the Tlaloquê. ASPECT AND INSIGNIA The Sahagun MS. describes the insignia of this god as follows: He is painted black and has a patch or spot made from crushed seeds on his face. His crown is cut out of paper, and from it rise plumes of heron-feathers, mingled with those of the quetzal bird. He has a band made of paper round his shoulders, a loin-cloth and white sandals. His shield bears the solar emblem and he carries a rattle-staff in his hand. NATURE AND STATUS Sahagun (bk. i, ch. 17) says of Opochtli, that he is one of the Tlaloquê. To him was attributed the invention of fishing-nets and of the minacachalli, or three-pronged harpoon, an instrument recalling the classical trident, which was also used for spearing birds. He it was who originally contrived the nets used by the fowler to ensnare the aquatic birds which frequented the banks of Lake Texcuco, and the paddle was likewise his invention. Of all the Tlaloquê he appears to have been the most practical, as well as the most closely identified with human pursuits, and naturally he figured as the patron of the fisher, the fowler, and those generally who plied their occupation on the water of the lake or on its shores. Upon the occasion of his festival they offered him food and octli, the ears of maize, flowers, and burned tobacco before him as an incense, as well as copal and the absinthe herb. They also placed before him toasted maize. The older priests chanted his praises and filed before his idol in procession. As we have seen in the case of Uitzilopochtli, the word opochtli may signify “wizard,” and I believe that the net, which would appear to a primitive people an apparatus of the most ingenious kind, would be regarded by them as the invention of a magician. Opochtli would almost inevitably come to be connected with the Tlaloquê because of the employment of his invention to catch fish and snare the aquatic birds which rested on the shores of Lake Texcuco. CHAPTER VII THE FIRE-GODS XIUHTECUTLI = “LORD OF THE YEAR” Area of Worship: Mexico. Toltec. Minor Names: Tzoncaztli = “The Yellow-haired.” In Xiuhtetzaqualco maquitoc = “He who enters the Blue Stone Pyramid.” Yei itzcuintli = “Three Dog.” Cuezaltzin = “The Flame.” Chicunaui tecutli = “Nine Lord.” Ueueteotl = “The Old God.” Tlatic paque = “Lord of the Earth’s Surface.” Tota = “Our Father.” Tloque Nahuaque = “Lord of the Close Vicinity.” Tlalxictentica = “Dweller in the Navel of the Earth.” Ixcoçauhque = “The Yellow-faced.” Calendar Place: Ruler of the ninth day-count, atl (water). Ruler of the ninth tonalamatl division, ce coatl. Ruler of the twentieth tonalamatl division, ce tochtli. First of the nine lords of the night. First of the thirteen lords of the day.