Mictecacihuatl, Queen of Mictlan

Mictecacihuatl is a goddess in Aztec mythology who presides over the underworld and is associated with death and the afterlife.

• Pantheon: Aztec pantheon
• Deity Title: Queen of Mictlan
• Deity Symbol: Skulls and bones
• Home Plane: Mictlan, the underworld
• Deity Level: Greater deity
• Alignment: Neutral Evil
• Aliases: Mictlancihuatl
• Superior: None
• Traditional Allies: Mictlantecuhtli
• Traditional Foes: Xochiquetzal, Quetzalcoatl
• Divine Artifact: None specifically associated with Mictecacihuatl
• Servants: Cihuateteo (female spirits who died in childbirth), skeletal warriors, undead creatures
• Servitor Creatures: Ahuizotl (water-dwelling canine creature)
• Sacred Animal: Bat
• Manifestations: Appears as a skeletal woman, surrounded by bones and skulls, often wears a crown of owl feathers
• Signs of Favor: Dark omens, visions of death and decay
• Worshipers: People who work with the dead, such as morticians, gravediggers, and shamans
• Cleric Alignments: LE, NE, CE
• Specialty Priests: Anointed priests, keepers of the dead, spirit guides
• Holy Days: Day of the Dead, various festivals and rituals honoring the dead
• Portfolio: Death, the underworld, funerary rites, bones and skulls
• Domains: Death, Evil, Repose
• Favored Weapon: Scythe
• Favored Class: Cleric
• Favored Race: None in particular
• Duties of the Priesthood: Oversee funerary rites, care for the dead, guide spirits to the underworld
• Major Cult/Temple Sites: The Great Temple of Tenochtitlan
• Benefits: Control over the spirits of the dead, ability to call upon undead creatures for aid

Mictecacihuatl, also known as Lady of the Dead, is a goddess from Aztec mythology who is associated with death, the afterlife, and the underworld. She is depicted as a skeletal figure, with pale white bones and ragged hair that flows around her like tendrils of smoke.

Despite her skeletal appearance, Mictecacihuatl’s features are still somewhat feminine and elegant, with long bony fingers and a high, pronounced brow. She wears a crown of skull-shaped headdress and a long, flowing skirt made of bone.

Mictecacihuatl’s role in Aztec mythology is to preside over the dead and ensure their safe journey to Mictlan, the Aztec underworld. She is often depicted holding a skull or a scepter, both symbols of her power and authority over the realm of the dead.

In addition to her role as a guardian of the dead, Mictecacihuatl is also associated with the cycles of life and death, as well as the rituals and sacrifices that were an integral part of Aztec culture. She was believed to have the power to grant fertility and prosperity to the living, but could also bring disease and misfortune to those who angered her.

Overall, Mictecacihuatl is a powerful and imposing figure, who commands both respect and fear from the Aztec people. Her ultimate goal is to ensure that the dead are properly honored and cared for in the afterlife, and to maintain the balance between life and death in the mortal realm.

Currently in the World

Mictecacihuatl, the goddess of the underworld and death, has existed since the creation of the world. Her purpose is to guide souls through the afterlife, ensuring that they reach their final resting place. As the ruler of the underworld, she holds immense power and is respected by all other deities.

Throughout history, Mictecacihuatl has maintained her position as a powerful deity. During times of war and conflict, she remains neutral, focusing solely on her duties in the underworld. However, she has been known to intervene when necessary to maintain balance between the living and the dead.

In the 1450s, Mictecacihuatl’s goals remain the same as they have always been: to ensure that the souls of the dead reach their proper resting places. With the increasing tensions between the Aztec Empire and neighboring tribes, her workload has increased significantly. She is tasked with guiding the souls of those who have died in battle and ensuring that they receive the proper offerings and sacrifices.

Despite her fearsome reputation, Mictecacihuatl is not without compassion. She understands the pain and grief that comes with death and does her best to comfort those who mourn. She is often depicted as a skeletal figure, adorned in regal clothing and jewelry. Her face is decorated with intricate patterns, and she wears a crown of skulls on her head.

Mictecacihuatl’s power and authority are evident in her physical appearance, and her aura commands respect from all who come into contact with her. She is a symbol of both death and rebirth, as she oversees the transition from one life to the next.

As a goddess who is deeply intertwined with death, Mictecacihuatl’s motivations are not driven by a desire for power or control. Instead, her ultimate goal is to ensure that the souls of the dead are treated with dignity and respect. She is a reminder of the impermanence of life and the importance of honoring the dead.