Tlazolteotl, the Aztec goddess of epilepsy

Epilepsy and Behavior

Volume 57, April 01, 2016, Pages 60-68

  (Review)

Ladino, L.D.^a, 

Téllez-Zenteno, J.F.^b 

 

^a  Neurology Section, Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
^b  Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada 

View references (33)

Abstract

Epilepsy has afflicted humanity during most of the extent of documented history. The Aztecs believed that illnesses were punishments that were sent from a furious goddess. In particular, epilepsy was considered in Aztec culture as a "sacred disease", and convulsions were traditionally associated with a deified woman who had died at childbirth. As the goddess Shiva and Apasmâra in ancient India and Saint Valentine in Germany, Tlazolteotl was considered able to bring about and send away epilepsy. We performed a comprehensive review to identify Tlazolteotl depictions and its historical context related with epilepsy. Tlazolteotl is one of the most endearing and complex goddesses of the Mesoamericans. She was the deity of the black fertile and fecund earth that gains its energy from death and in turn feeds life. Associated with purification, expiation, and regeneration, she embodied fertility and turned all garbage, physical and metaphysical, into rich life. This article reviews the most relevant artistic works related with Tlazolteotl. We also present a modern depiction of the Aztec goddess of epilepsy from the Mexican artist Eduardo Urbano Merino, displaying the supernatural view of epilepsy in America. © 2016 Elsevier Inc.

Author keywords

Art; Aztecs; History; Mesoamerica; Sacred disease

ISSN: 15255050 CODEN: EBPEASource Type: Journal Original language: English

DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.01.020Document Type: Review

Publisher: Academic Press Inc.

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  Téllez-Zenteno, J.F.; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Royal University Hospital, 103 Hospital Drive, Box 26, Canada; email:jftellez@yahoo.com
© Copyright 2016 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.