Tonantzin

Tonantzin is a Nahuatl word meaning "Our Mother." It is a venerated name for various mother earth goddesses in Aztec and other Mesoamerican cultures. The most prominent figure associated with Tonantzin is likely Coatlicue, the earth goddess and mother of the gods. However, Tonantzin could also refer to other goddesses like Xochiquetzal, the goddess of fertility and beauty, or Chalchiuhtlicue, the goddess of lakes and streams.

The concept of Tonantzin represents the nurturing, life-giving, and destructive aspects of the earth. She was a central deity in indigenous cosmology, embodying the cycles of birth, death, and rebirth. Offerings and rituals were made to Tonantzin to ensure fertility of the land, successful harvests, and the well-being of the community.

Following the Spanish conquest of Mexico, many indigenous deities and practices were suppressed or syncretized with Catholic beliefs. Tonantzin became closely associated with the Virgin Mary, particularly with Our Lady of Guadalupe. The shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is located on Tepeyac Hill, a site historically dedicated to Tonantzin. This association allowed indigenous people to continue their veneration of a mother figure, now under a Christian guise. The enduring veneration of Tonantzin highlights the resilience of indigenous spiritual traditions in the face of colonization.