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Article: Tezcatlipoca
- Article from:
- Myths and Legends of the World
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 Macmillan Reference, USA. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Tezcatlipoca
Tezcatlipoca was one of the most important gods of the Aztecs of central Mexico. His name, meaning Lord of the Smoking Mirror, refers to the mirrors made of obsidian, a shiny black stone, that Aztec priests used in
divination.
divination
act or practice of foretelling the future
deity
god or goddess
patron
special guardian, supporter, or protector
Tezcatlipoca played many contradictory roles in Aztec mythology. Like other Aztec
deities,
he could be both helpful and destructive. As a god of the sun, he ripened the crops but could also send a burning drought that killed the plants. The
patron
god of helpless folk such as orphans and slaves, he was also the ...