Cihuateteo, Warrior Goddess of Childbirth Painting

Cihuateteo means "Women Goddesses". These Goddesses are native to Mesoamerica, appearing in the pantheon as mortal women who died in childbirth and then were deified. The Chihuateteo travel throughout the day, dwelling first with the stars in the western sky in the heavenly region called Cihuatlampa or "place of women". Then, from noon to sunset they accompany the sun, following it through the night as it lights the underworld. Every 52 days the Chihuateteo would descend to earth to reign for a day associated with the west. On these days, children were cautioned to stay inside and men to be careful. Only those skilled in dealing with divine possession should be outside on the days the Chihuateteo descended. In modern writings the Cihuateteo are often characterized as monsters, however this was not originally the case. Rather, they were powerful, benevolent ancestors who were honored and revered. In prayers they were referred as brave fighters who achieved noble deaths. They were such literal embodiments of bravery that bodies of those who had died in childbirth had to be guarded against warriors who would attempt to sever the middle finger of the woman's left hand to as a talisman to assure their own bravery and success in battle. The iconography associated with the Cihuateteo varies regionally. In Vera Cruz, the statues were modeled after individual women who died in childbirth. My painting is based on a figurine c. 200 - 500 CE, described in the museum where it resides as a warrior goddess of childbirth.

Painting:Acrylic on Canvas

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:11 W x 14 H x 0.2 D in

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