Tonantzin

<p>In Aztec mythology and among present-day Nahuas, Tonantzin /tonanˈtsiːn/ is believed to refer to Mother Earth.

Goddesses such as "Mother Earth", the "Goddess of Sustenance", "Honored Grandmother", "Snake", "Bringer of Maize" and "Mother of Corn" can all be called Tonantzin. Other indigenous names include Chicomexochitl[pronunciation?] ("Seven Flowers") and Chalchiuhcihuatl[pronunciation?] ("Woman of Precious Stone"). A Tonantzin was honored during the movable feast of Xochilhuitl [/soˈʒiːwɪtəl/]. Some claim that upon appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the hill of Tepeyac where Tonantzin's temple had been burnt by the Spanish priests, the natives accepted Our Lady of Guadalupe as Tonantzin.</p>