AZTEC MYTH OF THE AFTERLIFE

The Aztecs believed that where you went after death depended on what you did on Earth and how you died (the cardinal directions paradises).

The eastern paradise, the house the sun, was the home of the souls of warriors who died in combat. Sacrificed victims (the people whom they sacrificed to the sun) also went there. It was believed that the souls stayed there for four years, but then returned to earth as exotic birds.

The western paradise, the house of corn, was for women who died during childbirth. They also returned to earth as phantoms of bad omens.

The southern paradise, the paradise of Tlaloc, was for those who died of sickness. This was a place of plentiful food.

The northern paradise, the paradise of Mictlan, was for the rest of the dead. It required passing through nine trials which took four years to accomplish.

THE TRIALS OF THE SOUL

• Cross a deep river
• Pass between two mountains which were once joined together
• Climb an obsidian mountain
• Pass through icy wind that cuts like a knife
• Pass through a place where flags waved

TRIALS OF THE SOUL CONTINUED...

• Be pierced by arrows
• Pass among wild beasts which ate human heart
• Pass over a narrow path of stone
• Reach the 9th level where the souls find rest.

BURIAL

• When the Aztecs died, they were given supplies for the perilous journey ahead of them.
• They were given things such as a container for water, their dog (if they owned one) was buried with them to act as a guide on their spiritual journey, and a jade bead (to confuse the beasts on the 7th level into thinking the jade was a human heart).

http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1994/3/94.03.03.x.html