Tezozomoc mentions them in his Cronica Mexicana in connection with the building of the great temple at Mexico. He states that their images were at one period still necessary for the completion of the building, and alludes to them as “angels of the air, holding up the sky,” and “the gods of the air who draw down the rains, waters, clouds, thunders and lightnings, and who are placed round Uitzilopochtli.” He further says that these “gods of the signs and planets” were brought to the sacred edifice and placed round the idol of Uitzilopochtli. NATURE AND STATUS The Tzitzimimê are obviously stellar deities. A myth seems to have existed that they had been cast out of heaven, and may perhaps be equated with that relating to Xochiquetzal. I think, too, that it had a connection with the myth which told how Uitzilopochtli routed the Centzonuitznaua, his brothers, who were also stellar deities or demons of darkness. That the Tzitzimimê were so regarded was probably because they were seen during the night, or perhaps during eclipses. The list of them includes many of the great gods, especially those who had an uncanny significance, as Tepeyollotl, Mictlantecutli, Tlazolteotl, Tezcatlipocâ, and Itzpapalotl. The Tzitzimimê are equated by Seler with the Sky Supporters. [323] CHAPTER X GODS OF DEATH, EARTH, AND THE UNDERWORLD MICTLANTECUTLI = “LORD OF MICTLAMPA” (REGION OF THE DEAD) Area of Worship: Mexican Plateau. Calendar Places: Lord of the tenth day-count, ce tecpatl, and of the tenth week. Eleventh of the thirteen lords of the day and fifth of the nine lords of the night. Symbol: Skull, or bunch of malinalli grass. Compass Direction: North. Relationship: Husband of Mictecaciuatl; one of the Tzitzimimê. ASPECT AND INSIGNIA