Note 1 — Chapter V · DEITIES OF THE EARTH AND GROWTH PROPER

Tlazolteotl, Tlaelquani, Teteo innan or Toci—an earth-goddess whose worship had its origin among the tribes of the Atlantic seaboard, where maize grew abundantly. She possessed warlike propensities, as became a goddess to whom human sacrifice was much in vogue, and the myth of her impregnation by Uitzilopochtli was enacted at the ochpaniztli festival in August, typifying, perhaps, the impregnation of the “earth-mother” by the “sky-father.” As Ixcuine she represented a plurality of goddesses. Seler1 believes that Chicomecoatl represents the young maize ear, and Tlazolteotl, the ripe ear of the plant.