Tezcatlipoca: Trickster and Supreme Deity ed. by Elizabeth Baquedano (review)

This collection of essays provides insights into the nature and character of the Aztec deity Tezcatlipoca (Smoking Mirror). It builds on the extensive work of Guilhem Olivier in his monograph on the god (Olivier, 2003). These essays cover a wide range of topics all focused on Tezcatlipoca, one of the more enigmatic of the Aztec deities. All the essays deal with aspects of Nahua culture, except for one that places Tezcatlipoca in a Maya context.

After a well-written and informative introduction by Baquedano and Nicholas J. Saunders, the first essay, by Michael Smith, places the god in the context of archeology. He focuses specifically on items associated with the cult of the god, namely obsidian mirrors and flutes, both of which played an important role in his veneration, based on ethnohistorical evidence. He concludes that while the cult had deep roots in Mesoamerican culture, it was not until the Epiclassic and Early Postclassic that it became widespread. Juan José Batalla Rosado also looks at the iconographic attributes of the god. While the mirror and missing foot of the god are obvious, he concludes that a piece in his headdress, the ezpitzal, is equally definitive. Guilhem Olivier builds on the research in his monograph to consider the special relationship between Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca.

These two gods were inextricably linked in pre-Columbian legends, and were considered to be twins. One of the possible translations of ‘Quetzalcoatl’ is, in fact, Divine Twin. As Olivier demonstrates, however, the twins represent two very different entities: one creative, the other destructive. In a way that compliments the work of Olivier, Emily Umberger considers the equally special relationship between Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli. Only one can be ascendant, while the other is diminished. Consequently, before the arrival of the Mexica (Aztecs), Tezcatlipoca reigned supreme, only to be dethroned by the Mexica patronal god, Huitzilopochtli. Thus at the time of the conquest Huitzilopochtli was in ascendancy, and Tezcatlipoca was on the wane.

In her chapter, Elizabeth Baquedano takes a critical look at Tezcatlipoca as a warrior, distinguished through the opulent display of gold, and also the use of bells. The display of luxury items served to embellish the status of the ruling elite, closely linked as it was to the god. Bells linked Tezcatlipoca not only with warriors, but also with the sister of Huitzilopochtli, Coyolxauqui (Jingle Bells Her Cheeks). Cecilia F. Kline studies the representation of Tezcatlipoca in postconquest materials. The god is described in androgynous terms, especially in his role in the Toxcatl festival, documented by the conquistadores. She also suggests that in the immediate postconquest world there was a conflation of Tezcatlipoca’s sacrifice in the Toxcatl festival with the crucifixion of Christ. Lastly, Susan Milbrath considers the importance of the Maya god associated with the Smoking Mirror: Kawil. For the Maya, because of their dedication to the study of astronomy and celestial cycles, the Lord of the Smoking Mirror was more closely associated with planetary cycles and the calendar, unlike the Aztec god who was more of a trickster. Perhaps this is because the Aztecs did not pursue such a close study of the celestial cycles.

It is difficult to imagine that after Guilhem Olivier published his major study on Tezcatlipoca that much remained for continued academic study. The essays in this volume prove that supposition wrong. They elaborate on much of what we know about the god: his tension with Quetzalcoatl, his antipathy towards Huitzilopochtli, his identification with kingship and the ruling class. But at the same time these essays have uncovered much of great interest to the scholar of Mexica culture and religion. Smith has made a major contribution in his inventories of obsidian mirrors and other items associated with the god, while Batalla Rosado has expanded greatly on the iconographic analysis of the god presented in Olivier’s book. In fact, each essay offers some new insight, some important or crucial...