xolotl

Xolotl is a deity in the mythology of the Aztecs and other cultures in Mesoamerica. He is often depicted as a physical or spiritual twin, often with a skull for his head or a dog-like head. Xolotl is associated with the underworld, death, and rebirth, and is said to guide souls of the deceased to the afterlife.

In Aztec mythology, Xolotl was often depicted as a wanderer or a trickster, and was associated with the card game of Patolli. This game was a precursor to the modern-day game of backgammon, and Xolotl's association with it reflects his role as a messenger or guide. He was also said to have created the game to help souls navigate the underworld.

Xolotl was also associated with the god of the moon, and his twin was often seen as a symbol of duplication or repetition. Their opposites, the sun and the moon, were also worshipped as twin deities in some Mesoamerican cultures. Xolotl's role as a guide, therefore, reflects not just the journey of the individual after death, but also the cyclical nature of time and the cosmos.

In Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, xolotl means "hummingbird" or "twilight", reflecting the diverse associations and connotations of this complex deity. Despite the variety of his roles, Xolotl remains an important figure in Mesoamerican religion and culture, and his enigmatic appearance and actions continue to captivate historians and scholars of the region.