A nose plug fit for a water goddess

Aztec gold jewellery piece

The ancient Mexicans often attributed very particular features and characteristics to their gods and goddesses. Chalchiuhtlicue (‘She of the jade skirt’ or ‘Lady precious skirt’), for instance - goddess of water on the ground, in rivers, lakes, seas - is often shown in the codices wearing a particular style of nose plug, usually painted turquoise. (Written/compiled by Ian Mursell/Mexicolore)

This nose plug, called ‘xiuhyacamitl’ in Náhuatl, has a striking shape. Some experts say it could represent a butterfly (look at the gold piece in the main photo!); on the other hand it might well represent a double-headed serpent. In fact that’s exactly how it’s shown in some of the Mixtec codices like the Borgia.

In the original codex (Pic 2) the image is faded somewhat, but in the reconstruction in Mateos Higuera’s beautiful Graphic Encyclopaedia of Ancient Mexico (Pic3), you can see the serpent very clearly.

Water was not a particularly favourable day-sign to be born under in Aztec times: a precious commodity, yes, but water is fickle: like many forces of nature it can bring life, but also death. Your fate could easily flow ‘down the river’ (down the plughole, we would say today) with negative consequences (Pic 1). Is this the meaning of the double-headed serpent in Chalchiuhtlicue’s symbolic jewellery? A double-edged sword...

By the way, notice the triangular cape (‘quechquémitl’) that the goddess is wearing (Pics 2 & 3) - learn more about it in the page on Aztec nicknames (follow link below): and while you’re there, look out for the goddesses sporting the same nose plug!

Comments (2)

André Vadeboncoeur

13th Dec 2021

Hello,
I recently saw in a science fiction movie a sculpture that I believe to be Mayan and which probably represents a god or a king. This god, or king, wears the nasal ornamentation that you refer to in your article. Could you tell me which character is represented in this sculpture? I would have to send you a photo of this sculpture, but I don’t know how. Is it possible?
Thank you for your attention,
André Vadeboncoeur

Mexicolore

Of course - we will try and help. Just email us a picture or two to info@mexicolore.co.uk.

Gael Ollivier

2nd Jan 2009

How were these nose plugs (like the golden one on the picture) placed on the nose? I can imagine no piercing for this piece. So, how did it stay on the nose?

Mexicolore

Good question! We know that generally, rods of gold or precious stone were inserted through the septum of the nose, and the wings of the nostrils were pierced for the attachment of nose-studs (equally, of course, ears and lips were pierced to hold jewellery). Presumably the 'fibula' (clasp) that must have been used to hold the back of the gold nose plug shown has been lost. We will do more research on this...!

Aztec gold jewellery piece