Note 27 — Chapter XVII · Culture Mixing in Japan
Reading edition
The temple of the Mexican dragon- and rain-god, Tlaloc, was called “Ep-coatl”, which signifies “pearl-serpent” or “serpent-pearl”. Young children sacrificed to Tlaloc by being thrown into the whirlpool (pan tit lan) of the lake of Mexico, were also called “Ep-coatl”. This sacrifice took place at the water festival in the first month of the Mexican year. The infants were sacrificed at several points, some being butchered on holy hills, including the “place of mugwort”, sacred to the mugwort and gem-goddess Chalchihuitlicue, wife of Tlaloc. But only the children thrown into the lake were called “Ep-coatl”. ↑