Huītzilōpōchtli

Huitzilopochtli, ‘Hummingbird of the South’, was the patron god of the Mexica. He wielded Xiuhcoatl, the fire serpent.

In the myth of Coatepec, he sprang from the womb of the goddess Coatlicue fully armed and slew his sister Coyolxauhqui and four hundred brothers, who became the moon and stars. The sun’s daily struggle against them had to be fed with sacrifices. He mattered little to the Nahuas until the Mexica rose.