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Group of weeping Aztecs, Florentine Codex Book 1 (Click on image to enlarge) |
Weeping and asking something of someone often went hand in hand; it gave added drama to the scene and made it more effective. Equally, a provincial ruler would cry in front of the emperor when requesting his aid, just as a commoner would cry in front of a judge in a trial or tribunal. In the 16th. century it was common for Aztecs to cry before Spanish priests when asking for baptism.
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(Click on image to enlarge) |
At the same time, tears and sobs flowed freely when giving thanks for something special - the bestowing of land on a family group for instance. When the nation was under threat - or worse, when the army had to admit defeat - the weeping must have reached levels almost of mass hysteria. Individual tears shed by children in particular were powerful symbols for rain, a form of ‘fair exchange’ when offered to the rain god Tlaloc at appropriate times in the farming/festive year. It was considered a good omen if babies sacrificed for Tlaloc were crying their hearts out at the moment of sacrifice...
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