Mictlan (Nahuatl pronunciation: ['mikt͡ɬaːn]) was the underworld of Aztec mythology. Most people who died went to Mictlan, although other possibilities existed (see "Other Destinations," below).^[1] Mictlan was located far to the north,^{[citation needed]} and consisted of nine distinct levels.^[1]

The journey from the first level to the ninth was difficult and took four years, but the dead were aided by the psychopomp, Xolotl. The dead had to pass many challenges, such as crossing a mountain range where the mountains crashed into each other, a field with wind that blew flesh-scraping knives, and a river of blood with fearsome jaguars.^{[citation needed]}

Mictlan was ruled by a king, Mictlantecuhtli ("Lord of the Underworld")^[2] and his wife, Mictecacihuatl ("Lady of the Underworld").^[3]

Other deities in Mictlan included Cihuacoatl (who commanded Mictlan spirits called Cihuateteo), Acolmiztli, Chalmecacihuilt, Chalmecatl and Acolnahuacatl.^{[citation needed]}

Other destinations [edit]

In addition to Mictlan, the dead could also go to a number of other destinations:

• Warriors who died in battle and those who died as a sacrifice went east and accompanied the sun during the morning.^[1]
• Women who died in childbirth went to the west and accompanied the sun when it set in the evening.^[4]
• People who died of drowning — or from other causes that were seen as linked to the rain god Tlaloc, such as certain diseases and lightning — went to a paradise called Tlalocan.^[1]

References [edit]

Aztec civilization
Aztec society
Nahuatl language
Religion · Mythology · Philosophy · Calendars
Human sacrifice · Medicine
Aztec history
Aztlán · Codices · Warfare
Aztec Triple Alliance
Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire
Fall of Tenochtitlan · La Noche Triste
Montezuma II · Hernán Cortés
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