Tlazolteotl in Mesoamerican tradition
Purification, confession, and absolution fall within the sphere of Tlazolteotl, an Aztec goddess also associated with sexuality, adultery, childbirth, midwifery, and steam baths. Known as the Eater of Filth and Our Grandmother, she embodies the power to confront and cleanse moral pollution. In one tradition, she gives birth to Centeotl, who is identified as a maize deity and her son.
The quick answers
Who is Tlazolteotl?
Tlazolteotl is a Mesoamerican deity associated with purification; confession and absolution; sexuality and adultery; childbirth and midwifery; and steam baths.Source
Source
- The Oxford Companion to World Mythology
- Dictionary of Mythology
- Aztec Mythology
- Essential Visual History of World Mythology
What is Tlazolteotl the goddess of?
Tlazolteotl is associated with purification; confession and absolution; sexuality and adultery; childbirth and midwifery; and steam baths.Source
Source
- The Oxford Companion to World Mythology
- Dictionary of Mythology
- Aztec Mythology
What family links are recorded for Tlazolteotl?
2 children.
Tlazolteotl’s family, at a glance
The names Tlazolteotl answers to
Tlaelcuani
Eater of Filth
SourceDictionary of Mythology
Toci
Our Grandmother
SourceEssential Visual History of World Mythology
Ixcuina
Cotton-associated goddess
SourceDictionary of Mythology
Temazcalteci
Grandmother of the Bathhouse
SourceDictionary of Mythology
The myths of Tlazolteotl
1 myth, with sources recorded for each.
Tlazolteotl Gives Birth to Centeotl
Tlazolteotl gave birth to Centeotl, a maize deity. In one telling, Tlazolteotl was identified with the earth mother Toci.
2 sources· checked 2026-08-19
- 1Aztec MythologyT1
- 2the ancient sourcesT1
Quote
“Tlazolteotl bears Centeotl, who is identified as a maize deity and her son.”
the ancient sources
1 work catalogued
This catalogue brings together reviewed connections and candidates for Tlazolteotl: reworks first, then references, then names used as atmosphere. A row is not proof by itself. Reviewed connections appear in Overview, beneath a story or under The wider mythology.
Showing 1 of 1 works.
Film1
- Toci, nuestra abuelaName only
A catalogue row is not proof by itself. Reviewed connections appear in Overview, beneath a story or under The wider mythology.
What this page is built from
About this page
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2 sources are cited on this page and listed below.
Cite this page
MythSource. (n.d.). Tlazolteotl. https://www.mythsource.com/figures/tlazolteotl
"Tlazolteotl." MythSource, n.d., www.mythsource.com/figures/tlazolteotl.
"Tlazolteotl." MythSource. n.d. https://www.mythsource.com/figures/tlazolteotl.
The mythology summaries and identity fields on this page are grounded in the sources listed above. The appearance table records candidates separately; only confirmed connections are presented as modern retellings in Overview.