Remember the name Coyolxauhqui. It means “Face Painted with Bells”. Here at Coyolxauhqui Plaza, we find ourselves face to face with a powerful symbol. It is a full-size replica of a tribute to the Aztec goddess Coyolxauhqui. The original was found in Tenochtitlan. That’s now Mexico City.
In 1978, power company employees made an astounding discovery. They found a stone disc more than three meters wide. It was carved in high relief. It showed the defeat of the Aztec moon goddess Coyolxauhqui.
This discovery jump-started interest in excavating Tenochtitlan. That ancient Aztec city sat beneath modern-day Mexico City. This replica of that stone disc sits right here. It is on a street corner in East Los Angeles. This Coyolxauhqui Plaza offers a moment to reflect.
Let’s delve into the story of Coyolxauhqui herself. She learned her mother Coatlicue was pregnant. Coatlicue was the earth goddess and mother of the gods. A hummingbird feather had caused the pregnancy. This angered Coyolxauhqui. She gathered her 400 brothers. They were the gods of the southern stars. They stormed Coatepec to kill Coatlicue.
But Coatlicue was pregnant with Huitzilopochtli. He was the sun god and patron of the Aztec people. Huitzilopochtli didn’t like Coyolxauhqui’s plan. He sprang from Coatlicue’s womb fully grown and armed. He stabbed Coyolxauhqui. Then he cut off her head. He threw her body down the side of the mountain. Her body dismembered as it fell. Arms and legs scattered across the plain.
The stone disc depicts this dismembered body of Coyolxauhqui. This replica recreates that image. It even includes what is thought to be the original coloring. The coloring is based on pigment analysis.
The Coyolxauhqui Plaza isn’t just a tribute to the goddess. The bronze plaque says its true purpose is to recognize the artistic ability. It honors the skill and ingenuity of the native peoples of North America and Mexico.
Carlos Venegas is credited as the sculptor on the plaque. The plaque is dated October 1985. Padilla Paving was the builder. Barrio Planners, Inc. was the architect.
The Community Development Commission of Los Angeles County created this replica. It was part of the Community Business Revitalization program. The program improves the appearance of commercial centers. It enhances a sense of place. It makes these areas more inviting.
Interestingly, there are photos from 1976 showing a dedication ceremony for Coyolxauhqui Plaza. This was before the stone disc was found in Mexico City. These photos credit David Moreno as the sculptor. His name isn’t on the current plaques. Was there an earlier tribute to Coyolxauhqui? Was it replaced with the current replica? Perhaps we’ll never know.
The Coyolxauhqui Stone is a carved circular Aztec stone. It depicts Coyolxauhqui dismembered by her brother. The stone was rediscovered in 1978 at the Templo Mayor site. It is now in Mexico City. This relief is one of the best-known Aztec monuments. It is one of the few great Aztec monuments found fully in place.
The Coyolxauhqui stone sat at the base of the stairs of the Huēyi Teōcalli. That was the primary temple of the Mexica in Tenochtitlan. It was on the side dedicated to Huitzilopochtli. Scholars believe Mexica artists incorporated images of the Coatepec narrative into the Huēyi Teōcalli. This happened during a renovation from 1483-1487.
Richard Townsend calls the stone one of Mesoamerican art’s most powerfully expressive sculptures. The stone served as a cautionary sign to enemies of Tenochtitlan. Sacrificial victims crossed this stone. Then they walked up the stairs to Huitzilopochtli’s shrine.
Today, the image of Coyolxauhqui has been used by Chicana feminist scholars. It speaks to healing from traumatic events. It addresses the fragmentation of the self. Coyolxauhqui remains relevant today. She serves as a symbol for healing. She also stands as a testament to the rich history. She represents the artistic achievements of the Aztec people.