#*Nahua design

[sweenstar-reblogs]

I stopped playing genshin upon the release of Sumeru and its complete lack of respect for the South Asian regions the devs claimed it was inspired by, but i hope any indigenous fans r doing ok rn 😭

[debbie-sketch]

Quetzalcóatl y Tezcatlipoca

[natstky]

Flag design in progress to represent my town's indigenous Nahua (aka "Pipil" if you're not familiar with us) community in El Salvador.

I made this in response to the green/white/blue flag made by IPN. I am not a fan of the design nor the group, as they often push racial conversations in their language classes.

Meanings below the cut.

Significance:

Red - represents past, present and future blood spilt

Blue - for the rivers running through our land

Green - for the land we till and protect

Gold - each line represents our language (Nawat), culture and traditional religion. Lines are broken to represent the genocides enacted against them and to reflect the decrease in their practices within our communities as a result.

Light pink - two light pink strips represent our grandfathers and grandmothers.

Hot pink - represents our mothers and fathers.

White - represents the youth.

Faint white - the faint white lines represent queer and afroindigenous within our communities, who are often "hidden" and stigmatized within our communities. The lines are broken to reflect this.

All intersect as they are all important within our community, reflecting a traditional woven textile from our communities that is near extinct. The pattern is in honour of our woven traditions.

The trenza next to the square is in the colours of our four cardinal directions. It reflects how they are interwoven into our life. They're in the style of a trenza to reflect a traditional feminine hairstyle as women predominantly take charge in caring and preserving our language and culture. The trenza design is to honour the women taking charge to preserve our culture.

This is still a work in progress as I plan to use a design in the center to specifically reflect my town. I'm open to any feedback and if you want to use it as a template to represent your pueblo, do @ me so I can see!

[nogetron]

Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec god-warrior of sacrifice. Huitzilopochtli was the greatest warrior among the Aztec gods and guardian of the south, he used his immense strength to fight the night and keep the earth under the protection of his sunlight. Huitzilopochtli was born from the divine source: Ometeotl, birthed from their two manifestations: Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl. Huitzilopochtli was the smallest out of his siblings, Quetzalcoatl, Tezcatlipoca, and Xipe Totec, Together these four created the cosmos from the body of Cipactli. Together these Tezcatlipocas created the life and other gods of the land, however they needed light to be shown upon the earth and so each of them tried to perform as the sun. Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl, Tlaloc and Chalchiuhtlicue, each of their reign’s as the sun ended in catastrophe, resulting in the loss of all life on earth several times. But Huitzilopochtli stepped up as the current fifth sun of the earth and of humanity. Born from Cipactli, Coatlicue was a nigh monstrous goddess of the earth, she gave birth to the moon Coyolxauhqui and the stars Tzitzimimeh. Coatlicue came across a ball of feathers sent by Huitzilopochtli, causing the feathers to impregnate her. Upon learning of her mother’s pregnancy, Coyolxauhqui rallied the Tzitzimimeh and decapitated Coatlicue. But from the goddess’s womb sprung a fully armed Huitzilopochtli who defeated the moon goddess and her forces, repaying Coyolxauhqui by decapitating her and throwing her head into the sky. However these demons still lived and promised to finish off both Huitzilopochtli and Coatlicue. Huitzilopochtli must be powered by blood sacrifices, less Coyolxauhqui overtakes him and destroys Coatlicue, destroying the world in the process. Those who died in service to Huitzilopochtli have their spirits pass on in the body of a hummingbird.

Huitzilopochtli was the most venerated god among the Aztecs. Huitzilopochtli was the main recipient of human sacrifices in Aztec culture. Though animal and normal blood letting sacrifices did work to placate the god, human sacrifices were seen as the greatest and most effective method to empower the god. These sacrifices were described by conquistadors as a daily occurrence, however this is most likely an exaggeration. Originally Huitzilopochtli held a minor role in the Nahua pantheon, existing as the patron deity of the mexica tribe. But when the Aztec’s rose to power their patron god Huitzilopochtli rose with them to become the most venerated god. Because of his ascension in worship, Huitzilopochtli overthrew the Nahua sun god Nanahuatzin and replaced the god in their myths. The Aztec’s also praised Huitzilopochtli as the one who guided them to Tenochtitlan, their capital city and legendary place where the universe was created. Huitzilopochtli was also the patron of mothers who died in childbirth, offering them the same protection he gave to the warriors who died in his name.

[neechees]

Negative & racist depictions, tropes, and Stereotypes regarding Native Americans in Road to El Dorado.

Mayaincatec: The film homogenizes multiple Indigenous cultures cultures into one, specifically and mainly Maya and Nahua cultures, with the story being based on a mythical place set in Colombia.

Mighty Whitey: the basis of the film comes from the Spanish lie and myth that the Indigenous Aztec population worshipped them as gods, with the city of El Dorado doing the same with Miguel and Tulio, who use this to trick Native people to steal gold from them.

Oversexualized Native Woman: Chel’s character has overemphasis on her sex appeal and sexuality, with her character design being very revealing and exageratted on her chest, hips, and thighs. There is little to no exploration of her character outside of her sexuality and servitude towards the White characters. She does not pass the Aila Test and is a near opposite. Chel is a perfect example of how many Native female characters are sexualized

Evil Shaman: The Native religious leader Tzekel-Kan is demonized as evil & plays a heavier role as the main antagonist instead of the famed genocidal colonizer Hernan Cortez. Tzekel-Kan being enslaved by Cortez at the end is depicted as a “good ending”.

Demonized Spiritualiity: connected to the above, all scenes depicting traditional Mesoamerican spirituality/religion or practices are shown as evil, barbaric, savage, scary, and associated with the main antagonist.

White Saviors: El Dorado is saved by the main White protagonists, the idea to destroy the gates to the city is Tulio’s idea, the warriors of El Dorado are portrayed as helpless and no match for the Spanish conquistadors despite Indigenous Mexican warriors going toe to toe with them, and winning against them in various battles in real life.

Whitewashed Colonialism: Cortez, despite being one of the worst colonizers in history, serves as a minor, secondary antagonist & his evilness is only vaguely implied, and never explained why it (his actions) is bad. Cortez has the same goal as Miguel and Tulio (to steal gold from Indigenous people), but the protagonists aren’t shown as bad for doing it. Colonization is essentially excused (& is never explicitly named as harmful) as long as the colonizers are “nice” about it.

There’s likely some other stuff I’m missing but these are some of the big ones that are shown in this film, & its depictions of Indigenous Peoples are extremely harmful. I also don’t wanna see anybody trying to defend any of these with somehow implying “Well it’s not ACTUALLY racist or harmful because-” etc etc save it for a vague post and take our inability to see criticism of racism within a movie you like elsewhere.

[gayaest]

Small Yaretzi (outfit) Re-Design! I wanted her outfit more inspired by her culture and love of fashion, so I studied Nahua Womens Clothing, Hairstyles, and Jewelry!

🩷⭐️♿️ [Description in Alt-Text]

[emby-m]

Soul Catcher and Sacred Heart

Part one of a series giving Alice skins in Norton's skin lines....

“Mi querida,” the sorcerer, Soul Catcher, laughs, “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see you,” the witch, Sacred Heart, smiles, adjusting her shawl around her. Her golden hair looks pretty with the cempaxochitl tucked into her braids.

“Should I take that as you finally agreeing to our pact?”

“Hmm,” she hums, lips splitting the black paint on her face. “Mictēcacihuātl’s attendant, and Miclāntēcutli’s advisor, colluding… what will they all think?” 

“Smart advisor, snapping up that pretty girl.”

Sacred Heart laughs, looping her arm with his.

Design notes under the cut:

Norton's design-

Decided to make the outfit more like a trajo de charro, since that's a real good look.

Pared down some aspects (patterns mostly) and edited the hat slightly.

Added pheasant feathers for that good good Tejano mestizo/Nahua rep

Alice's Design-

Largely designed after Folklorico dancers' outfits (their multiple-circle skirts with wide flounces especially)

Also took inspiration from turn-of-the-century era Caterina Calavera prints

Name came from the Sacred Heart of Christian reckoning, being a symbol of the Virgin Mary - the sacred heart also appears on her dress/shawl

[mirrorbuns]

La pequeña Hope está representando a los Nahuas, el grupo indígena más numeroso en todo México y este traje típico se encuentra en el estado de Puebla. El vestuario femenino se conforma por la faja, la blusa bordada. Y las fajas eran muy importantes porque cada color y diseño representaban las identidades entre otras comunidades. Mientras las blusas tienen hermosos bordados en el pecho y mangas, te queda muy bonito Hope

Little Hope is representing the Nahuas, the largest indigenous group in all of Mexico and this typical costume is found in the state of Puebla. The female costume is made up of the sash, the embroidered blouse. And the sashes were very important because each color and design represented the identities of other communities. While the blouses have beautiful embroidery on the chest and sleeves, Hope looks very pretty on you.

[xamiipholia]

Quen Weapons

I love that the main Quen Melee weapon is basically a Macuahuitl, a Nahua weapon that was a club lined with obsidian blades somewhat like teeth. This version looks like it’s been constructed from parts of a snapmaw jaw and lined with the teeth. I love when Horizon puts a new spin on design templates from our world - it’s like the idea that, given the chance, we will figure out the same survival strategies because it’s in our nature.

It does make me wonder where the Quen are technologically- obviously the Focuses gave them a huge boost in terms of access to old world tech and data, but there’s not really a reason to have a weapon like this if you have widespread access to metal forging like say, the Oseram. Their armor seems to back this up - it’s almost entirely machine armor and woven materials. Based on what we’ve seen they’re clearly extremely skilled with textiles, woodworking and ceramics, and they have extremely powerful heavy weapons and ballistae. Maybe it’s just cheaper for the empire to outfit soldiers with weapons made from salvage.

Anyway thanks for coming to my TED talk.

[magicturtle]

Can I ask your opinion of a RPG writing trope? I listen to a podcast “System Mastery”, that reviews old RPGs that are no longer in print or first editions of RPGs that are on new editions now. One of the things they can’t stand is the trope of American Indians and Mexicans reverting to horse back, tepees, human sacrifice, worshipping spirits, building pyramids, and etc…. after some kind of apocalypse happens or they go out into the stars or different dimension. Something happens to separate them from the “white men .” They find the idea preposterous and pretty cringey because these books are written by white men usually and show an idolized version of the “noble savage”. They feel, why would natives give up cars, modern medicine, houses, roads, and bunch of other modern things just because there has been some kind of reset.

I can see that point. And I can think of all the games I have seen that trope, Shadowrun and Gamma World are good examples. I have also seen it in some other sci fi games. Interestingly White Wolf has a version of this in the world of darkness setting. The supernatural creatures are worshipped as gods or spirits by the natives. Werewolves by shamans and vampires as descendants of the bloody gods of the Aztecs. On the surface this all does seem ridiculous and can be dismissed as all just being fiction.

However, there is a lot of resentment by natives of having their culture, beliefs, language and so much more being stripped away by people that are invaders. Would they gladly undo the negatives and positives that were introduced by these invading cultures if given the chance? Would they rebuild what they lost just as it once was? I have read some articles and seen some videos about Latin American gangs worshiping their version of the old Aztec gods. And new gods that they have invented for the current times. There are also less violent new gods that have been invented. I saw how some of the old Mayan shamans are keeping the old beliefs alive in the rural parts of central America. And how there is still a lot of blending of native beliefs and Catholic beliefs throughout Latin America.

What do you think? Is there a long simmering longing for the old ways just below the surface just waiting to be released by some sort of catastrophic event?

To this day colonized peoples either maintain their old beliefs or hold some syncretized version. All you have to do is look at the way the Loa or the Orishas survived in the Caribbean, the supplicants of heretical saints like Santa Muerte, or culturally negotiated holidays like Carnaval or Dia de Muertos. Often white people in the US don’t know much about these current practices because A) they don’t care and B) many are private or even secret. Instead our cool, white dude writers and game designers focus on what they DO know, the ancient history of these groups. This is why white coded populations evolve, but non-white coded ones “revert”. It would be nice to see someone who actually knows these groups extrapolate current cultures into futurism, post apocalypse or “returned magic”. I haven’t read Coyote and Crow, but I hear that’s what they’re going for.

I will say that even in the defense of marginalizes groups being “reverted” there is a clear bias. Why would a community give up cars? …Are cars good? Can we honestly look at our communities, our cities, our environment, and unequivocally say, “this is clearly a net good for the world”? Traditional medicine is also frequently shot down by “logical people” until decades in, scientists “discover” analgesic or antibiotic properties. Isn’t it great that we’ve started unlocking the potential of cannabis only 1000 years after the Nahua were using it medicinally?

Hope this addresses your question.

Thanks for writing in!

[saltminerising]

As someone who has ancestry in the Huastec Nahua community and who as researched extensively about the Mexica and other MesoAmerican cultures, I personally love the Auraboas designwise.

The crest is a one to one of the teotl Quetzalcoatl and so is the body type! I think it’s fun to see the representation in their designs!

I will agree the story was not very tactful and could definitely be seen as upholding stereotypes that Indigenous people have been subjected to, and I hope that they take that into account! Just wanted to put my two cents in.

[sylvia-on-the-run]

some graphic design done for my wife! ones meant to be a homestuck style shirt icon and one in a nahua namr glyph style

[bonesofbeast]

hihi hello! im working on an mcyt au based on my cultures, and this is goodtimewithscar in my au :) he is the only one in my au w references to my tribe, the nahua-pipil. keep reading for inspiration for his design <3

his top is inspired by the huipil, a dress worn by indigenous women of central america

the orange thingy around his waist and between his legs is inspired by nahua-pipil dancers, specifically that of Amilcar who is an ancestral dancer of my tribe and also an educator from el salvador :)

i used colors from his create skin, the creator of the skin mentioned using art nouveau as inspiration and since that has a lot of plants thats what i used for the pattern and embroidery

he has jade rings in his braids, which symbolized life and purity in mesoamerica. its important for LIFE in this case, as it helps keeps him alive (tldr in this au his blood absorbs magic from his surroundings and the jade rings help expel the magic he absorbs)

[dazfashionz]

Mexico 🇲🇽

Traditions

If there’s one thing, Mexican is known, for, it’s the celebrations such as Dia de los Muertos, and Quinceaneras. Values such as family and friendship are deeply embedded in this country is culture.

Piñatas

A popular Mexican tradition is the piñata. It is commonly used as a fun game at birthday parties, but its origins are very symbolic.

The Piñatas Bright colours were designed as a symbol of temptation, the stick representing the will to overcome sin.

The blindfold, symbolises faith, while the candies and the other goodies are added, symbols of the riches of heaven, tumbling down on the heads of those who defeated the evil.

Nicknames

In Mexico people often give each other nicknames, all of which match the playful and endearing nature of the culture.Some of these include chaparrito, meaning “short one”or mi cielo, “my sky”.

In more rural area of Mexico, nicknames are so big that you’re likely to have better luck, asking for a person by nickname then by the persons real name.

Mexican hat dance

The Mexican have dance is Mexico’s national dance, began as a courtship dance and dates back to the 18th and 19th century.

The outfits of the dancers are beautifully decorated and represent traditional garb worn by Mexican men and women.

The dance itself is intended to be lively, which is why the music is typically played by mariachi bands or bands that use only string instruments.

Los muertos

Day of the dead, Día de Muertos is one of the most important celebrations in Mexico. they saw death as an integral,ever-present part of life, and believed mourning the dead would be disrespectful.

They use different decorations that all have a meaningful significance to the day of the dead.these are, colourful skulls, marigolds petals, confetti and many more to make a pop of colour.

They use face paint during dances to respect the dead.Make up is done creatively like skulls.

History

Day of the dead originate, several thousands of years ago, with the Aztec, Toltec and other Nahua people, who considered mourning the dead was disrespectful. Death was a natural phase in life’s long continuum. The dead were still members of the community, they were kept alive in memory and spirit during the Los Muertos ceremony. Meaning (temporarily back to Earth).

Day of the dead flowers- Marigolds

These flowers are used mainly for the los muertos ceremony to decorate and show respect for the dead.

The use of flowers during Dia de Muertos carries deep culture and spiritual significance. Similar to flowers, our time on earth is limited, and therefore on the day of the dead l,flowers symbolise the ephemeral nature of life, connecting to living with the souls of the departed.

Their bright orange petals and fragrant scent are believed to guide the souls of the departed back to the world of the living.

Marigolds, with their vibrant colours is a symbolic of the sun, are commonly used to create a path from the front door to the ofrenda for the spirits.

There are many different marigolds with different shades of colours and shapes suck as these.

Traditional clothing

Traditional Mexican clothing has a rich and vast history. While many historical styles are going out of fashion, you can still see the tradition Mexican dress around certain holidays and on special occasions.

Women’s traditional style

The culture of Mexico is vast, much like the clothing which does not lack for originality and colour. With a beautiful blend of Spanish and native elements. These designs are bold, colourful and unique.

Huipil

This is a colourful piece of clothing for a women to wear as it consists a blouse called huipil which is a simple square of fabric with a hole in the centre. It is embroidered around the neck and folded in half and has stitches at the sides. The embroidery tends to be very elaborate and meaningful. this design represents the cosmos,gods and their helpers.

Blouse

This is a modern version of the huipil,the blouse is a decorative shirt with short sleeves. Traditionally made with white , hand-woven cloth. The neckline is edged in braid or embroidery with colourful designs.

Mexican mens clothing

Traditional outfit for men are less elaborate than a women’s outfit. Most men traditionally wore shirts, pants and boots of one colour. However, there were few distinct traditional elements that men wore.

Sombrero

These are traditional hats Mexican men wore for events and carnivals such as Los Muertos ceremony.Mainly that are musicians and play in bands would wear this. These are made out of straw to keep the sun from their faces.

Sarape

A cross between a poncho and a blanket, the sarape was used to keep warm in the winter. Typically made out of wool or fleece, everyday wear comes in muted tones of greys and browns for shepherds. However for festivals, they use bright colours with multicoloured patterns such as red, yellow, purple blue and so many more.

Mexican folklore Dresses

Bold and beautiful is the aim of this dress when it comes to Puebla or Mexican folklore dress, which is made for folk dancing. This is far more colourful than a traditional wear clothing. The blouse could be a different bright colour such as pink or red with contrasting colour details. The skirt is long,flared and had different patterns on this filled with embroidery and ruffles.

Charro Suit

These are worn by conquerors of Horsemen, the history of the Charro suit is as vast as the suit itself. This suit consists of a jacket,shirt, tie, pants and belt. The fabric of the suit might be made of wool or cotton and can come in vibrant blues , purples, yellows or muted black and browns. The jacket and trousers typically are decorated with elaborate embroidery and embellishments. The buckle of the belt is also elaborately designed.

Vallarta’s Blog. (2022). Top 5 Mexican Traditions You Have to Experience! [online] Available at: https://www.hotelmousai.com/blog/destination/top-5-mexican-traditions-you-have-to-experience/.

Wikipedia. (2022). Mexican marigold. [online] Available at: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_marigold [Accessed 25 Mar. 2024].

en.m.wikipedia.org. (n.d.). Day of the Dead - Wikipedia. [online] Available at: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead

Victoria and Albert Museum. (2018). V&A · Traditional Mexican dress. [online] Available at: https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/traditional-mexican-dress.



[that-guy-sleepy-miles]

Hey!! Nahuas of Tumblr!!

I'm making Aztec inspired characters for a story and, if it is not too much to ask, I would like some help. These designs are not meant to be historically accurate but instead historically inspired, but if there is something offensive or blatantly wrong about designs I post I would like to know!!

I will be posting these designs under #Miles Asks You Guys!, so if you can find the time to help me I would greatly appreciate it! I'm fine with asks, messages, or replies explaining things I need to work on with these designs.

While I have been doing my own research, I realize that just reaching out and asking people is important as well!

(also they're cat people lmao)

[catherine-media]

Western Medicine Looks to Ancient Psychedelic Wisdom for Modern Insight

As the psychedelic Renaissance gathers momentum, Western medicine is increasingly drawing from ancient traditions for guidance. The extensive use of plant medicines over the past 10,000 years offers crucial insights as researchers explore psychedelics as potential treatments for mental health disorders.

A pivotal discovery in 2008 from the Andes of southwest Bolivia revealed a small leather bag belonging to a Tiwanaku shaman from over a millennium ago. Inside were ancient tools and substances, including a snuffing tube, spatulas for grinding psychoactive seeds, and traces of cocaine and psilocin—the hallucinogen found in magic mushrooms. This artifact provides a rare glimpse into ancient psychedelic practices, capturing contemporary researchers' interest.

Modern psychedelics such as MDMA, LSD, psilocybin, and ketamine are increasingly studied in Western medicine for their potential to address mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. Proponents believe these substances could revolutionize psychiatric treatments, offering new avenues for managing severe mental health conditions. However, critics caution about potential risks and overhyped expectations.

As psychedelic medicine evolves, ancient artifacts like the Tiwanaku shaman’s bag offer valuable context. Yuria Celidwen, a senior academic at the University of California, Berkeley, notes that indigenous use of psychedelics often involves holistic practices beyond individual mental health treatment. Celidwen, of Nahua and Maya descent, emphasizes that psychedelics, referred to as spirit medicines, play a central role in community rituals and daily life in many indigenous cultures.

Historical records show that psychedelics have long been used for various purposes, including rituals, palliative care, and exploring consciousness. Ancient Greeks and Romans, for instance, engaged in rites involving kykeon, a drink with LSD-like properties. Evidence also suggests that the psychoactive mushroom Amanita muscaria was used in the Americas as far back as 16,500 years ago, with ongoing use among the Ojibwa community.

Researcher Osiris Sinuhé González Romero traces psychedelic use to ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, highlighting evidence of sacred mushrooms in Mayan culture and the use of San Pedro and Peyote cacti in Peru and Mexico dating back thousands of years. Historical texts, such as the Codex Vindobonensis Mexicanus 1, depict rituals involving sacred mushrooms, underscoring their deep cultural significance.

Spanish chronicler Bernardino de Sahagún documented Aztec rituals involving psilocybin mushrooms in the 16th century, describing ceremonies where participants sang, danced, and shared their visions. This illustrates how psychedelics were integrated into communal and spiritual life.

Celidwen argues that Western medicine’s focus on psychedelics as standalone treatments misses their broader cultural context. "In most traditional cultures, there is no separation between the human and natural world," she explains. "Spirit medicines are used to communicate with and restore balance with the natural world, emphasizing collective well-being."

González Romero points out that indigenous ceremonies often involve music and rituals designed to induce a trance-like state, fostering healing and creativity. This contrasts with the Western tendency to view psychedelics through a medical lens, potentially overlooking their collective and spiritual dimensions.

As Western interest in psychedelics grows, concerns about cultural appropriation and commercialization arise. Celidwen and colleagues have highlighted issues of indigenous voices being excluded from the booming psychedelic industry, projected to be worth $7 billion by 2027. Indigenous practitioners often receive significantly less compensation compared to their Western counterparts, despite their extensive knowledge and practices.

Jules Evans, a psychedelics researcher at Queen Mary University of London, notes that Western secular perspectives may struggle to integrate the profound experiences offered by psychedelics. Indigenous cultures have long navigated these altered states with established practices and guidance, which contemporary settings often lack.

Celidwen concludes that while Western approaches often focus on the individual effects of psychedelics, their true potential may lie in fostering connections and collective healing. "It’s not just the molecule; it’s the relationships and context in which the medicine is used that bring about healing," she says. "Without this collective framework, the benefits of psychedelics may not be fully realized, potentially leading to a cycle of seeking the same sense of wonder repeatedly."

As Western medicine continues to explore psychedelics, ancient wisdom offers valuable lessons in integrating these substances into a more holistic understanding of healing and community well-being.