Xiuhtēcuhtli

Xiuhtecuhtli, ‘Turquoise Lord’ or ‘Lord of Fire’, was the Aztec god of heat, day and the year, lord of volcanoes and one of the oldest gods of Mesoamerica. He was usually shown young, though sometimes identified with the ‘Old God’ Huehueteotl; his wife was Chalchiuhtlicue.

A small fire burned at the centre of every home in his honour, and the first mouthful of each meal was thrown into the hearth. The Aztec emperors were regarded as his living embodiment at their enthronement.