Borderlands Gloria Anzaldua
Andrea Uhl
Literature II
Professor Steinmetz
12 February 2010 This land was Coatlicue once was Coatlicue always and is. And will be again. Imagine present day Mexico, there are many popular Mexican staples that can come to mind i.e tacos, warm weather, and pesos. However, when you take a closer look at their culture it is clear that the Mexican people are very religious. More specifically they are very connected to the Virgen de Guadelupe. The Virgen is depicted all over Mexico and is one of their most celebrated and loved saints. The Virgen de Guadelupe originates from Coatlicue The Aztecs, a 12th century CE civilization, were very religious and worshiped many gods and goddesses. The ritual sacrifices that took place in the Aztec society influenced their everyday lives. The Aztec’s were highly spiritual, always inspired and taught by the gods and goddesses, for which they were the creators of the earth and life. “The earliest is Coatlicue, or “Serpent Skirt.” She had a human skull or serpent for a head, a necklace of human hearts, a skirt of twisted serpents and taloned feet,” (Anzaldua 49). She was a woman, an Earth Goddess, the beholder of all. “Coatlicue, Lady of the Serpent Skirt, contained and balanced the dualities of male and female, light and dark, life and death,” (Anzaldua 54). Since Coatlicue possesses these dualities she consisted of everything and in turn accepts all. “She is the central deity connecting us to our Indian ancestory” (Anzaldua 49). Of the many rituals performed by the Aztecs, only sacrifices would please her. The Spaniards embarked into the Aztec civilization during the 15th century CE. They were disgusted by the Aztec 2sacrifices, considering them barbaric. The Spaniards decided to disregard this ancient religion. “Coatlicue, the serpent goddess, and her more sinister aspects, Tlazolteotl and Cihuacoatl, were “darkened” and disempowered much in the same manner as the Indian Kali” (Anzaldua 49).
Literature II
Professor Steinmetz
12 February 2010 This land was Coatlicue once was Coatlicue always and is. And will be again. Imagine present day Mexico, there are many popular Mexican staples that can come to mind i.e tacos, warm weather, and pesos. However, when you take a closer look at their culture it is clear that the Mexican people are very religious. More specifically they are very connected to the Virgen de Guadelupe. The Virgen is depicted all over Mexico and is one of their most celebrated and loved saints. The Virgen de Guadelupe originates from Coatlicue The Aztecs, a 12th century CE civilization, were very religious and worshiped many gods and goddesses. The ritual sacrifices that took place in the Aztec society influenced their everyday lives. The Aztec’s were highly spiritual, always inspired and taught by the gods and goddesses, for which they were the creators of the earth and life. “The earliest is Coatlicue, or “Serpent Skirt.” She had a human skull or serpent for a head, a necklace of human hearts, a skirt of twisted serpents and taloned feet,” (Anzaldua 49). She was a woman, an Earth Goddess, the beholder of all. “Coatlicue, Lady of the Serpent Skirt, contained and balanced the dualities of male and female, light and dark, life and death,” (Anzaldua 54). Since Coatlicue possesses these dualities she consisted of everything and in turn accepts all. “She is the central deity connecting us to our Indian ancestory” (Anzaldua 49). Of the many rituals performed by the Aztecs, only sacrifices would please her. The Spaniards embarked into the Aztec civilization during the 15th century CE. They were disgusted by the Aztec 2sacrifices, considering them barbaric. The Spaniards decided to disregard this ancient religion. “Coatlicue, the serpent goddess, and her more sinister aspects, Tlazolteotl and Cihuacoatl, were “darkened” and disempowered much in the same manner as the Indian Kali” (Anzaldua 49).
Cited: Anzaldua, Gloria. Borderlands. third. San Francisco, CA: Aunt Lute Books, 2007. 1-255. Print.