How Did The Aztecs Attempt To Create The Earth?

The Aztecs believed that the gods of their religion took five attempts to create the Earth. There were hundreds of gods, worshiped all across Mesoamerica with some being major parts of everyday life and others getting hardly a mention. The reason it took so many attempts to create the world was because of the constant infighting among the gods. The first creator, Tezcatlipoca, turned into a jaguar and tore the world apart and in similar fashion the new world was destroyed by wind and the next two by floods. In each version of the Earth, the creator of that Earth became the sun that shone across the sky, but in the most recent world – the one in which the Aztecs lived – none of the gods volunteered so it was decided that one must sacrifice themselves. Two gods were chosen, Tecciztecatl, a wealthy and powerful god and Nanauatl (or Nanauatzin), the humble god. The god that would jump into a burning fire would become the sun, Tecciztecatl tried to jump in but was to afraid, despite his bravado yet when Nanauatl was asked if he would attempt it, he jumped in instantly knowing the other god would not have the courage. With a hurt pride Tecciztecatl followed him in to prove his worth. as there could only be one sun, the other gods threw a rabbit into Tecciztecatl’s face to dim his light and he became the moon, destined to forever chase the sun across the sky and never shine as brightly.

But all of these sacrifices were not without cost and the Aztecs believed that it was their duty to repay these blood sacrifices to keep balance and prevent angering the gods which could result in natural disaster or even the end of the