Miktlan
Mictlán is the underworld in Aztec mythology, serving as the final resting place for the majority of deceased individuals. Unlike other Aztec deities associated with death, such as Mictlantecuhtli and Mictecacihuatl, Mictlán is not a personified entity but rather a realm governed by its rulers. The journey to Mictlán is a perilous one, often described in detail within Aztec creation myths and funeral rituals.
According to legend, those who die of natural causes or old age are destined for Mictlán. The
The journey typically takes four years, symbolizing the time it takes for the body to decompose. Only
Mictlán plays a significant role in Aztec funeral practices, particularly the *Tlacaxipehualiztli* festival, where warriors were