In Aztec mythology, Centeōtl , also known as Centeōcihuātl or Cinteōtl, is the maize deity. Cintli means "dried maize still on the cob" and teōtl means "deity". According to the Florentine Codex, Centeōtl is the son of the earth goddess Tlazōlteōtl and solar deity Piltzintecuhtli, the planet Mercury. He was born on the day-sign 1 Xōchitl. Another myth claims him as the son of the goddess Xōchiquetzal. The majority of evidence gathered on Centeōtl suggests that he is usually portrayed as a young man (although a debate is still ongoing), with yellow body colouration. and Centeōtl corresponds to Chicomecōātl, the goddess of agriculture.
Worship
In the Tōnalpōhualli, a 260-day sacred calendar used by many ancient Mesoamerican cultures, Centeōtl is the Lord of the Day for days numbered seven and the fourth Lord of the Night. In Aztec religion, maize (which was called Cintli in Nahuatl) was brought to this world by Quetzalcōātl and it is associated with the group of stars known commonly today as the Pleiades.
At the beginning of the year (most likely around February), Aztec workers would plant the young maize. These young maize plants potentially were used as symbolism for a pretty goddess, most likely Chicomecōātl, Princess of the Unripe Maize. Chicomecōātl is usually depicted carrying fresh maize in her hands, bare-breasted, and sitting down modestly. Some historians believe Chicomecōātl, otherwise known as "the hairy one", and Centeōtl are the same deity. When the seeds were planted, a ritual dance was performed to thank Mother Earth and, more specifically, Centeōtl. These dances became increasingly more prominent as the warmth of the sun brought about great prosperity for the Aztecs in the form of sprouting maize canes. A major custom during this festival period was for Nahua women, regardless of marital status, to loosen their ponchos and let down their hair. They would proceed to dance bare-breasted in the maize fields to thank Centeōtl for his work. Then each woman would pick five ears of corn from the field and bring them back in a grand procession while singing and dancing. Women in these processions were the promises of food and life.
Traditionally, massive fights would then break out as people tried to soak one another in flower pollen or scented maize flour. Flower petals were also ceremonially thrown over people carrying ears of corn.
Maize was essential to Aztec life. The importance of Centeōtl cannot be overlooked. Countless historical sources show that much of the maize cultivated by the Aztecs was used in sacrifices to the gods. Usually, at least five newly ripened maize cobs were picked by the older Aztec women. These were then carried on their backs, carefully wrapped like newborns. Once the cobs reached their destination, usually outside a house, they were placed in a special corn basket and would stay there until the following year. This was meant to represent the maize spirits resting until the next harvesting period.