Tlacochcalco, "el lugar de la casa de las dardos" y la materialización del Inframundo

In the liturgical world of the ancient inhabitants of Mexico-Tenochtitlan, the exuberant manifestations of the supernatural world in urban space significantly eluded the rigid classification of sacred spaces dedicated to the worship of extra-human entities. Based on this premise, this article is an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Studi e materiali di storia delle religioni
Subtitles:Tlacochcalco, "the place of the house of darts" and the materialization of the Netherworld
Main Author: Mazzetto, Elena 1981- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:Italian
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Published: Morcelliana 2014
In: Studi e materiali di storia delle religioni
Year: 2014, Volume: 80, Issue: 1, Pages: 266-244
Further subjects:B Supernatural theology
B Fasting
B History of Mexico City, Mexico
B Underworld
B Afterlife
B Sacred Space
B Religion
B Mexicas
B Mexica
B Mexico-Tenochtitlan
B RITES & ceremonies
B Rito
B Rituals
B spazio sacro
B inframondo
Description
Summary:In the liturgical world of the ancient inhabitants of Mexico-Tenochtitlan, the exuberant manifestations of the supernatural world in urban space significantly eluded the rigid classification of sacred spaces dedicated to the worship of extra-human entities. Based on this premise, this article is an unprecedented approach to the study of the relationship between the topographical features of the underworld universe of Mictlan - the dark and dusty afterlife reserved to those who had not been elected to enter the Sun House or the realm of the gods of water - and the organization of Mexica cult places. In fact, its symbolism was meant to evoke this universe inversion. The name of this sacred space, Tlacochcalco, "the place of the House of Darts" - was precisely one of the names used to describe the world of the dead. The definition of "unctional homology" will be used to describe these connections. Indeed, this analysis will show that the socalled Tlacochcalco space had different architectures, arrangements and dimensions. The House of Darts could be an arsenal, a sanctuary where sacrifices were made, a cell dedicated to fasting, a lounge where deceased sovereign were burned, a patio or a litter: all these places represented a materialization of the Mictlan in the real world. This study highlights a very original concept of "sacred space" as an earthly representation of the afterlife. The supernatural is expressed through the use of a specific vocabulary, the same that was used to express a concept and a function, regardless of the spatial arrangement that characterized these places. (English)
ISSN:2611-8742
Contains:Enthalten in: Studi e materiali di storia delle religioni