Chalchihuitlicue

Chalchihuitlicue is the Aztec water goddess. Appropriately, she is the wife of Tlaloc, the rain god. Her name means "Lady Precious Green". She is a symbol of youthful beauty, shown in the picture by the style of her hair. Her headress signifies her status as a goddess, and is fringed with aramanth seeds. The tassels adorning her cape symbolize flowers, and she is squatting on her heels in a manner typical of Aztec women.

According to legend, when Quetzalcoatl drove Tlaloc from the sky, Chalchihuitlicue was put in her husband's place. Instead of responsibly doling out the rains like a good goddess would, she had a sort of temper tantrum, and caused such floods that only those who turned themselves into fish survived.

In pictures, Chalchihuitlicue is often depicted as a river with a prickly pear tree, laden with fruit, on the bank.

Also See

• Quetzalcoatl
  
• Tlaloc