Introduction:

The Five Suns Cosmogony is a powerful creation myth originating from the ancient civilization of Teotihuacan, a city that flourished in the central highlands of Mexico from roughly the 1st to the 8th centuries CE. This is a traditional story, a vibrant tapestry of narratives passed down through generations, offering insights into the worldview of the people who built the magnificent pyramids and bustling marketplaces of Teotihuacan. It is a story told by ancient people to explain the world around them, the cycles of creation and destruction, and the relationship between humanity and the cosmos. This is not a story meant to be taken as literal truth, but rather a window into the beliefs, values, and artistic imagination of a fascinating culture.

Origins and Cultural Background:

Teotihuacan was a thriving urban center, a metropolis of its time, home to a diverse population of artisans, merchants, farmers, and priests. The society was highly stratified, with a complex religious system and a sophisticated understanding of astronomy and mathematics. The environment surrounding Teotihuacan, the fertile Valley of Mexico, provided resources for agriculture, enabling the city to support a large population. The people of Teotihuacan, like many ancient societies, sought to understand the origins of the universe, the forces of nature, and their place within the grand scheme of things. Their worldview was cyclical, believing that the world had been created and destroyed multiple times before the present era. This cyclical view permeated their art, architecture, and religious practices. They observed the movements of the sun, moon, and stars, integrating these observations into their cosmology, believing that the celestial bodies influenced human life and the world. Their society was deeply religious, with a pantheon of gods and goddesses who controlled various aspects of the world. The Five Suns Cosmogony provided a framework for understanding their past, present, and future, offering explanations for natural phenomena and shaping their moral code.

Character/Creature Description:

The Five Suns Cosmogony features a cast of powerful deities and cosmic beings, each representing a distinct era of creation and destruction. The most important figures include:

• Tezcatlipoca: The Smoking Mirror, a powerful god associated with night, sorcery, and destruction. He is often depicted with a mirror made of obsidian, reflecting the future and revealing the truth. He is a formidable figure, often portrayed as a rival to other gods.
• Quetzalcoatl: The Feathered Serpent, a benevolent god associated with creation, learning, and wind. He is often portrayed as a feathered serpent, representing the union of earth (serpent) and sky (feathers). He is a symbol of wisdom and knowledge.
• Tlaloc: The Rain God, a powerful deity associated with rain, storms, and the fertility of the earth. He is often depicted with goggle eyes and fangs, representing his fierce power.
• Chalchiuhtlicue: The Lady of the Jade Skirt, the goddess of lakes, rivers, and flowing water. She is associated with childbirth and purification.
• Nanahuatzin: A humble, diseased god who bravely sacrificed himself to become the sun of the current era.

These figures, along with numerous other gods and creatures, represent different aspects of the cosmos and the forces that shape the world. Their interactions and conflicts drive the narrative of the Five Suns, offering symbolic representations of the natural world, the human condition, and the cycles of life and death.

Main Story/Narrative Retelling:

The story begins in a time of darkness, a void before the creation of the world as we know it. In this primordial state, only the gods existed. The first sun, the Sun of Earth, was ruled by Tezcatlipoca. This era was populated by giants, but it ended in a cataclysm. Tezcatlipoca transformed into a jaguar and destroyed the world, consuming the giants.

The second sun, the Sun of Wind, was ruled by Quetzalcoatl. During this era, humans were transformed into monkeys, and the world ended when a great hurricane blew away everything.

The third sun, the Sun of Fire, was governed by Tlaloc. The world was destroyed by a fiery rain that consumed everything in its path. The inhabitants of this world were said to be turned into turkeys.

The fourth sun, the Sun of Water, was ruled by Chalchiuhtlicue. The world was flooded, and the inhabitants were transformed into fish.

After the destruction of the fourth sun, the gods gathered in Teotihuacan to create the fifth and current sun. They built a great pyre and prepared to sacrifice themselves to bring light to the world. Two gods volunteered: Tecciztecatl, a wealthy and proud god, and Nanahuatzin, a humble and diseased god. When the time came, Tecciztecatl faltered, unable to leap into the fire. Nanahuatzin, despite his ailments, bravely threw himself into the flames, becoming the sun. Then, Tecciztecatl, ashamed, followed suit, becoming the moon.

However, the newly created sun and moon remained motionless in the sky. The gods realized they needed to be fed with blood to move across the sky and bring forth daylight. They sacrificed themselves, giving their blood to nourish the sun and moon. The sun and moon began to move, but the sun was too bright. The other gods sacrificed themselves to help slow the sun and to move the moon so the world could live in harmony. The world was now populated by humans, created from the bones of those who had died in the previous creations. This fifth sun, the Sun of Movement, is the era we currently inhabit, and it is destined to end in earthquakes, according to the prophecy.

Symbolism and Meaning:

The Five Suns Cosmogony is rich with symbolism, offering insights into the beliefs and values of the Teotihuacan people. The cycles of creation and destruction likely represented the natural phenomena they observed, such as the changing seasons, the cycles of agriculture, and the devastating power of natural disasters. The various gods and goddesses embody different aspects of nature, such as the sun, rain, and wind.

The story also reflects their understanding of the human condition. The sacrifices of the gods demonstrate the importance of selflessness and courage. The struggles and failings of the gods, such as Tecciztecatl’s hesitation, reflect the human imperfections. The creation of humanity from the bones of past worlds underscores the cyclical nature of life and death. The prophecies of the fifth sun ending in earthquakes may have served as a warning to live a righteous life and maintain harmony with the gods and the natural world. This cosmogony offered a framework for understanding the past, present, and future, influencing their religious practices, their social structures, and their artistic expression.

Modern Perspective:

The Five Suns Cosmogony continues to fascinate scholars, artists, and the public today. It is studied in fields such as anthropology, archaeology, and religious studies. The story has inspired numerous works of art, literature, and film, often exploring themes of creation, destruction, the cyclical nature of time, and the relationship between humanity and the divine. The myth is often seen as a powerful example of indigenous cosmology and the creative imagination of ancient cultures. Video games such as the Assassin’s Creed series explore and utilize the Teotihuacan myths. The story provides rich source material for cultural studies and is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling.

Conclusion:

The Five Suns Cosmogony is a captivating narrative, a testament to the ingenuity and imaginative spirit of the people of Teotihuacan. It is a cultural story, a window into the beliefs and values of an ancient civilization. It is a story, not a creed, and its value lies in its power to transport us to another time and place, to spark our imaginations, and to deepen our appreciation for the diversity of human experience.

As Muslims, we recognize that the true Creator and Sustainer is Allah, the One God. We acknowledge that the stories of other cultures can be valuable for understanding their history, beliefs, and artistic traditions. These stories are a reminder of the rich tapestry of human cultures, a testament to the enduring power of imagination and the universality of the human quest to understand the world and our place within it.