Mythic Americas: Imagining the Past.

A series exploring the historical and mythological inspiration behind the tabletop game Mythic Americas by Mythicos Studios.

Tlaloc

By Matt Hall

In the game Mythic Americas players control warbands consisting of tabletop miniatures each representing a human, beast or mythical warrior from a variety of Pre-Columbian cultures within the Americas.  Many of the units in the game carry names appertaining to places or beings of significance to the historical culture they represent.  For example, the Aztec warlord is a “Tlalocan High Priest” replete with an entourage of “Tlalocan-Bound Dead”.  Fans of the Aztec faction may be wondering, who or what is Tlaloc?  In this article we will dive into what is known about the Aztec deity Tlaloc and what they represented to the Aztec people.

         Typically depicted as a dark complected being with ringed eyes and long fangs, Tlaloc was revered by the Aztec as the supreme god of rain and water.  If appeased, Tlaloc could grant the rains that would bring forth bountiful crops from the soil or, conversely, could withhold rain causing drought.  If angered, Tlaloc could even bring forth devastating storms and deluges of rain or hail that could destroy crops and threaten life.  As such, Tlaloc was supremely important to the Aztec people and there is abundant evidence that Tlaloc worship was widespread. 

         Tlaloc was believed to reside in sacred mountainous regions where it was believed that rain came from.  The domain of Tlaloc, called Tlalocan, was a mountainous paradise of bountiful moisture and abundant vegetation inhabited by those who had died from causes associated with water – drowning, lightning, and waterborne disease to name a few.  In order to appease Tlaloc, sacrifices were made in the mountains at artificial basins created and consecrated specifically for the purpose.  Such offerings could come in many forms.  Sometimes ornate vases containing grain were offered, precious stones, skillfully crafted idols, or perhaps even animal sacrifices could be made.  The most powerful sacrifices to Tlaloc were those of children, whose hearts would be cut out by priests.  The tears of such sacrificial victims were viewed as a powerful omen of the imminent rains mighty Tlaloc would bring forth.

         There is ample evidence that Tlaloc worship predated the Aztec civilization.  For example, Teotihuacan, the largest known Mesoamerican city complex built prior to the Aztecs, is thought to have predated the Aztec empire by over 1000 years.  Representations of Tlaloc have been found throughout the complex suggesting that Tlaloc was one of the most commonly worshipped deities at this site.

If you are interested in learning more about Tlaloc I recommend the following:

The gods and symbols of ancient Mexico and the Maya : an illustrated dictionary of Mesoamerican religion by Mary Ellen Miller and Karl A. Taube

 Aztecs : reign of blood & splendor by Dale Brown

Processions and Aztec State Rituals in the Landscape of the Valley of Mexico by Johanna Broda