page_title: Nanahuatzin
section_title: Nanahuatzin and Xolotl
hierarchical_section_title: Nanahuatzin / Nanahuatzin and Xolotl
caption_attribution_description: Page 43 of the Codex Borgia.
context_page_description: In Aztec mythology, the god Nanahuatzin or Nanahuatl, the most humble of the gods, sacrificed himself in fire so that he would continue to shine on Earth as the Sun, thus becoming the sun god. Nanahuatzin means "full of sores." According to a translation of the Histoyre du Mechique, Nanahuatzin is the son of Itzpapalotl and Cuzcamiahu or Tonan, but was adopted by Piltzintecuhtli and Xōchiquetzal. In the Codex Borgia, Nanahuatzin is represented as a man emerging from a fire. This was originally interpreted as an illustration of cannibalism. He is probably an aspect of Xolotl.
context_section_description: A close relationship between Xolotl and Nanahuatzin exists. Xolotl is probably identical with Nanahuatl.
  Seler characterizes Nanahuatzin ("Little Pustule Covered One"), who is deformed by syphilis, as an aspect of Xolotl in his capacity as god of monsters, deforming diseases, and deformities. The syphilitic god Nanahuatzin is an avatar of Xolotl.
caption: Codex Borgia page 43 depicts a Sun god with the bumpy skin of Nanahuatzin and the canine snout of Xolotl. Beneath this sun-bearing Xolotl/Nanahuatzin lies the source of maize-a nude corn goddess who has star symbols on her body.[2]
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