Origin and Meaning of Tlaloc

God of rain and fertility

Origin: Nahuatl - Derived from the Nahuatl word 'tlāloc' which means 'to be wet' or 'rain'. Tlaloc was an important deity in Aztec mythology, associated with water, agriculture, and fertility.

• Tlaloc was one of the most significant gods in the Aztec pantheon, often depicted as a bearded man with jagged teeth and carrying a lightning bolt.
• In Aztec culture, Tlaloc was revered as the source of life-giving rain, making him vital for successful harvests and sustenance.
• Tlaloc is often associated with other deities, such as Tlazolteotl (goddess of purification) and Tezcatlipoca (god of night), reflecting the interconnectedness of Aztec mythology.
• The worship of Tlaloc included elaborate rituals and ceremonies, particularly during times of drought, to appease him and ensure rain.
• Tlaloc's cult had spread beyond the Aztecs, influencing other Mesoamerican cultures and their respective rain deities.