Mühlberg station in Frankfurt am Main; 2018-09-15
Mictlantecutli, god of the infernal regions, the last of this cheerful trinity; goddess of death, god of war, and god of hell, three distinct deities united into one idol according to the Aztec catechism. The idol war moved to the University and until 1821 buried the court yard, that it might kindle anew the aboriginal superstitions.
The analysis of this idol and the examination of its different parts will bring out the following remarkable features. 1. The shape of the idol is the cross. 2. It is a combination of a human figure and a serpent form; no other animal is represented. 4. There are four hands plainly visible with the palms extended and turned out, with figures of rattles between the hands. 5. There seem to be two heads, the serpent head above and the human head below ; the serpent head having teeth and fangs visible; the human head being a death head. The eyes are made with rings around them the same as Tlaloc the god of rain always has. 7. The serpent head consists of massive folds bound together and fringed, but with cross hatchings to represent the serpent's skin. 8. The shoulders of the idol or the arms of the cross are adorned with the teeth of a serpent and the forked tongue below the teeth. 9. The fringe which forms a skirt to the idol, contains serpents' heads covered with a cross-hatching which represent's a serpent's skin. Between the serpents' heads, tails all of them containing ratttles. 10. Below these horrid tassels, is a serpent with its four eyes and teeth and forked tongue resembling figures that look like claws, though they may be intended for serpent's eggs.
Mr. E. S Holden has drawn the comparison but with the addition of crotalus jaws.
Myths and Symbols or Aboriginal Religions in America, by Stephen D. Peet, Ph.D. [abridged]