Tecciztecatl
Tecciztecatl (or Tecuciztecatl),
the Old Moon God,
represents the male aspect of the moon. Tecciztecatl is the son of
Tlaloc
and
Chalchihuitlicue
.
In the beginning of the current world, the gods gathered at
Teotihuacán
and asked "Who will take on the charge of illuminating the One World?"
The beautiful and wealthy Tecciztecatl volunteered. When the moment arrived to complete the necessary rituals by throwing himself
into the sacrificial fire, he became scared. The gods passed the opportunity to the sickly and blistered
Nanahuatzin
.
She went and became the sun.
Ashamed, Tecciztecatl followed her to become another sun. However, the gods threw a rabbit at him to dim his radiance. This is how the Fifth Sun started and how Tecciztecatl became the moon.
Tecciztecatl is often pictured he carrying a large, white seashell, representing the moon. He is also called He is called "he who comes from the land of the sea-slug shell."
In the tonalpohualli, Tecciztecatl is the ruler of the sixth day, Miquiztli.