Native Languages of the Americas: Aztec Legends, Myths, and Stories
This is our index of Aztec folktales and traditional stories that can be read online.
We have organized our Native American mythology section
by tribe to make them easier to locate; however, variants on the same
legend are often told by American Indians from different tribes, especially if those tribes are kinfolk or neighbors to
each other. In particular, though these legends come from the Aztecs, the traditional stories of
related tribes like the Toltec are very similar.
Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend an Aztec legend for this page, please let us know.
Click on each god's name for more detailed information about his or her role in Aztec mythology.
Quetzalcoatl (also spelled Quetzalcohuatl):
The feathered serpent, god of the wind and civilization. Quetzalcoatl was the special benefactor of humans, bringing them corn
and teaching them how to live. Pronounced ket-sall-ko-ah-tl.
God of the sun and of war, considered the spiritual leader and patron god of the Aztecs. Pronounced wee-tsee-loh-poach-tlee.
The god of rain and of agriculture. Pronounced tlah-loke.
Chalchiuhtlicue (also known as Jade Skirt):
The goddess of water, wife of Tlaloc. Pronounced chawl-chee-oo-tlee-koo-eh.
Goddess of the earth, associated with serpents. She is the mother of Huitzilopochti, the moon, and all the stars.
Tezcatlipoca (also known as Smoking Mirror):
This complex god has played different roles in different times and places in the Aztec world. He is associated with both light
and darkness, and with both destruction and creative energy. He is often portrayed as an antagonist to Quetzalcoatl.
Ahuizotl (also spelled Ahuitzotl, Auitzotl and other ways):
This is a dangerous water monster of Aztec mythology. Its name means "water opossum." It looks
somewhat like a large stylized opossum only with a hand at the end of its
tail, which it uses to drag people underwater, kill them and eat their eyes. Pronounced ah-weet-soh-tl.