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davemonsterman — TZITZIMIME by-nc-sa

Published: 2012-04-19 13:24:41 +0000 UTC; Views: 2413; Favourites: 33; Downloads: 22
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Description Character Prosthetic.
Chavant (Le Beau Touche) over resin cast of my own head.

History
In Mexica mythology the Tzitzimime were once stars but were cast out to become lords of the dark underworld, and were a danger both at night and especially during an eclipse. Each dawn and dusk they would battle the sun. The end of the Azteca fifty-two year cycle a time of even greater anxiety for if the new fire was not successfully drilled, the terrifying Tzitzimime star demons would reassert their control over the world. It was prophesized that these star demons would descend to earth and devour the few humans who survived the destruction of the Mexica world and universe when it ended in earthquake and famine.

The tzitzimime ("Monsters descending from above") were celestial demons in Aztec mythology that continuously threaten to destroy the world. They are said to be the stars that battle the sun each dusk and dawn.

One story from the Histoyre du Mechique describes the wraith of the tzitzimime. Mayahuel was the goddess of maguey who lived with her grandmother, a tzitzimime, in the sky. One time, Quetzalcoatl convinced her to descend to earth with him and join with him into a forked tree with Quetzalcoatl as one branch and Mayahuel as the other.

When Mayahuel's grandmother awakens and finds her missing, she summons other tzitzimime to find her granddaughter. They descend to earth, and just as they arrive, the tree that Quetzalcoatl and Mayahuel had hidden as splits in two. Recognizing her grandmother as one of the branches, she tears it apart and passes the remains of Mayahuel to the other tzitzimime to devour, leaving the branch that Quetzalcoatl disguised himself as fully intact.

After they had left, Quetzalcoatl gathered up the Mayahuel's bones and buried them, & from that grave, the first maguey plant grew. (Maguery was the source of an alcoholic beverage that was important in Aztec ceremonies as both a ritual drink and a sacrificial offering.)

The Terrible Tzitizimime: Monsters of the Celestial Vault.br 
Have you ever wondered what the end of the world would be like? The Aztecs believed that some pretty horrific things would happen to them if the sun didn’t come up each morning! (Written/compiled by Julia Flood/Mexicolore)
Tzitzimime were tremendous star demons that lived in the darkness. Their ultimate goal was to wait until both humans and gods could not keep the world alive, and then attack and destroy humankind. A special Aztec ceremony called Xiuhmolpilli or ‘The Tying Together of the Years’ was held to help ensure that they continue to exist every 52 years - the length of an Aztec century.

At the end of each century, a ‘New Fire’ ritual took place in which all Aztec hearths but one were extinguished. From the only flame left alight was kindled a new fire that promised a fresh beginning to all. If a fire could not be coaxed into life, dire consequences could ensue: darkness would descend upon the Aztecs and the terrifying Tzitzimime would come to tear apart all mortal beings.

How to avoid a visit from a Tzitzimitl: a short guide to survival.

Although many Aztecs grew up to fear and dread the presence of these monsters, Tzitzimime could usually be anticipated at certain times of the year or during special religious festivities. The following guidelines will help anyone avoid them.
You can relax if:-

1. It’s the dry season. These ferocious creatures don’t appear in any rituals during the months in which the land is parched.

2. You’re in daylight. Tzitzimime only attack in total darkness.

3. It’s not the 52nd (and final) year of the century.
Keep your eyes peeled:

1. If you’re a child. Tzitzimime love attacking youngsters.

2. During the rainy months, the New Fire ceremony, solar eclipses (when the moon is said to eat the sun), and at night.

3. If you hear the rattle of shells behind you! (Tzitzimime had shell skirts)

4. If you’re a pregnant woman - you might be turned into a Tzitzimitl!



In some sources they were four in number or divided into different groups that are represented with different colours. They are made up of:
• The Iztactzitzimitl, ‘white monsters’.
• The Xouchcaltzitzimitl, ‘blue monsters’.
• The Coztzitzimitl, ‘yellow monsters’.
The Itlatlauhcatzitzimitl, ‘red monsters’.
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Comments: 8

LadyCat17 [2012-05-14 04:47:58 +0000 UTC]

Great design!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

davemonsterman In reply to LadyCat17 [2012-05-19 20:11:06 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much! your to kind.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

LadyCat17 In reply to davemonsterman [2012-05-21 01:31:46 +0000 UTC]

Hehe, you're so welcome.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

tlacuilopilo [2012-05-05 06:28:52 +0000 UTC]

I love it. It should be used on a movie with an Aztec storyline. It would look great!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

davemonsterman In reply to tlacuilopilo [2012-05-10 07:25:06 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much. I would love to make it again but sadly I had to destroy this sculpt to get use the chavant (clay) for another project, so this mask never made it to a mold.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

PsykoHilly [2012-04-19 13:58:58 +0000 UTC]

Great!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

davemonsterman In reply to PsykoHilly [2012-05-10 07:26:05 +0000 UTC]

thanks man. glad you like it.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

PsykoHilly In reply to davemonsterman [2012-05-10 07:29:20 +0000 UTC]

A real pleasure, as always!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0