Damien Hirst’s diamond encrusted Skull & Jeweled Skulls in Archaeology » The Skull of the Smoking Mirror
This mask is believed to represent the god Tezcatlipoca, one of the Aztec creator gods. He was also the god of rulers, warriors and sorcerers. His name can be translated as ‘Smoking Mirror’. In fact, in many depictions during the Postclassic period (A.D. 900/1000-1521) his foot is replaced by a mirror.
very nice photograph! I find this story very interesting. thanks for posting!
rachel
December 6, 2007 at 5:04 am
This is really gross because I did an Aztec project and there were these really gross bloody sacrifices that I’m not even going to write about. It sometimes gives me nightmares. Gives me the creeps.
Hailey
February 14, 2008 at 10:01 am
Hailey,
don’t be a baby. Blood sacrifices were common in nearly every religion back then. It’s just how things were done. The gods demand blood.
Loki
April 14, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Excellent quality shot ,I am searching for line drawings, heiroglyphic style illustrations (as seen in numerous codex) of mayan- aztec dieties and rituals.
Formost that of the Quetzacoatl, additionally a design that I have seen before of Tezcatlipoca appearing as though in a space helmet …(the smoking mirror ?)
jef baker
July 2, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Hailey,
You are absolutely retarded. Maybe if you were well educated and cultured enough, you could learn how to understand and respect other people’s beliefs. Go back to school and make something of yourself other than a future gold digger. Please.
Remember, boys will LIKE a dumb girl, but a MAN will LOVE a smart woman.
I HOPE THE AZTECS GET YOU IN YOUR SLEEP
February 1, 2010 at 7:17 pm