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Jade Skirt
The goddess of the jade skirt is characteristically
represented as she is seen here: with her quexquemitl or triangular smock,
skirt and a headband on her head from which hang two large cotton tassels
that fall to the sides of her face and a folded paper decoration at the
back of her head. On her quexquemitl may be seen a pectoral composed of
two concentric circles, which represent green stone or chalchihuite, that
is to say, precious water. Her hands are incised on the surface of the
jar, the left hand holds a staff or rattle, the so-called chicahuaztli.
Just as in the case of Tlaloc, it is important to note that this piece
is a jar, that is to say a uterus-like container that holds the vital liquid
of life. On its interior were found a Spondylus shell and a worked green
stone. The feast of Chalchiuhtlicue is celebrated in the month Atlcahualo,
and during this time children were sacrificed to seek the gifts of this
goddess. Devotion to her is expressed mainly among fishermen, who crossed
canals, rivers and lakes in canoes, as well as by farmers.
Last Modified: January 14, 1998.
Museo del Templo Mayor, Instituto Nacional de Antropología e História,
México.
Seminario #8, Centro Histórico. Cuauhtémoc,
México, D.F. 06060
©Copyright
1997
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