Huehueteotl (Old old God), Fire God

This figure depicts an old man with wrinkled face, squatting on the ground with bent back and crossed legs. His few remaining teeth are further indications of his advanced age. On his head he bears a large bowl used as an incense burner. Note the traces of fire along the bowl‘s rim. This is a depiction of the fire deity already venerated in Mexico‘s highlands in pre-classical times. This figure is an example of Teotihuacan art and was made between 350 and 650 AD. But the deity was still worshipped by the Aztecs who lived in this area from the middle of the 15th century onwards. They called him Huehueteotl, which translates as the “Old God“. He is not only the patron of fire but also “Father and Mother of the Gods“, Lord of Time, and Lord of the Turquoise. The green turquoise was seen as a symbol of the centre and of power. Thus the god of fire was also the patron deity of the ruler, and the king of the Aztecs wore the turquoise diadem of the fire deity as a sign of his power.