What She Stands For?
Coatlicue was known as the Goddess of Earth and was regarded as the idea of "Mother Earth" as well as the mother of Huitzilopochtli. Coatlicue was also known for representing more than a single deity as depicted in the Statue of Coatlicue. The statue is divided into four different parts, her legs, skirt, breasts, and head. Her legs are in gigantic form of an eagles claws that are said to be clenched to Mictlantecuhtli and the roof of the underworld, this seems to be representing a connection with death. Coatlicue's name is interpreted as "She with the skirt made of snakes". This is also depicted in the statue as her skirt is made up of several serpents, this is said to show a mundane level of existence. The breasts are decorated with a necklace that is shaped as human hearts and opened hands, this seems to represent a sacrificial death. The head of the statue has two forking snakes that are face to face at the top of the pyramid. This was said to be a symbol of "Omeyocan" the region where god and men took shape and the source of everything that must return (source of life). (Kelly 1974).
Picture Taken and Published by M.W. Alpatow 1948
