News — Mexican

Jonathan Lippincott
BIRTH OF THE HUMMINGBIRD GOD

BIRTH OF THE HUMMINGBIRD GOD

“Sweeten thy spirits, handsome man, You will see the face of your Father on high. No need to return here to Earth Under plumage of the little Hummingbird Or under the skin.” (Songs of Dzitbalche 1980: 357) An old codex tells us that when upon the hill of Coatepec, where the god Coatlicue was sweeping, out of thin air a beautiful ball of feathers fell upon her head. Amazed by the beautiful discovery, he plucked them up and tucked the feathery treasure by her left breast. After she finished sweeping her abode, she wished to contemplate once again the beautiful...

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Jonathan Lippincott
THE JOURNEY OF THE HUMMINGBIRD

THE JOURNEY OF THE HUMMINGBIRD

The Meaning behind the Flapping Wings: "When the Teponaxtle and the hornpipe sound, You Must Sing. And Sing as best you can Sing. To the rattles and the bells you must Dance. Dance as best you can Dance. To the rattle and the bell’s ring." (Song to Huitzilopochtli)   As it was once popularly known, Huitzilopochtli translates as "The Left-handed Hummingbird" ” (Huitzilin = Hummingbird, Opochtli = Left). It is not often known what meaning lies behind its symbolism. When the Spanish arrived, they were horrified by the tale of the birth of Huitzilopochtli upon learning he had to kill 400...

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