mictlan

[Swan]

ok i have a question that doesnt is about mictlan the nation but the aztec mythology:
mictlan is the ninth hell of the aztec but what are the other 8? also mictlan is the warrior one(with mothers and dead by thunder) can i now the other for who they are?
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

[Zeldor]

Try using Wikipedia and Encyclopedia Mythica.

[sector24]

If only it were that easy! Unfortunately neither of them go into any real detail.

[Wauthan]

Aztec mythology is a bit confusing but as far as I've come to understand Mictlan was the
collective name for the entire realm of the dead, all nine layers of it. But since the eight 'top'
layers where merely passageways to the ninth the name Mictlan also seems to be synonymous
with the last layer. The final destination so to speak.

But I might be all wrong.

Apparently Mictlan was not all bad. It seems to be the equivalent of Hel in the old norse mythology,
in that it was the resting place for the unremarkable dead, not a place where sinners where punished.

The names of each layer of the mythological Aztec universe seems to be very elusive information on the internet.

[Wrana]

I'll try to ask my friend who is interested in Mesoamerica. Probably would get answer tomorrow, with luck.

[Zeldor]

I am almost sure it was somewhere. Thought about encyclopedia mythica but they do not have it there, hmm...

[Wrana]

Well, that's what I got (my translation):
"Mictlan itself consists of nine hells/limbos (data on which is for what kind of sinners & who rules each wasn't found). There come all, EXCEPT warriors killed in battle, women dying in childbirth (these two kinds go to heaven ruled by Witzlopochtli); and except drowned ones, those who died from disease & those killed by lightning (these go to Tlalocan, water heaven)."

[Swan]

thanks for the explanation

[Wrana]

Sure thing. And I'll pass it.