Maize Deity (Chicomecoatl) 

This sculpture of Chicomecoatl, the Aztec maize deity, was carved from stone around the 14th-16th century. Note the headdress adorned with rosettes, each symbolizing ears of corn – a vital emblem of fertility and sustenance in Aztec culture. The image of Chicomecoatl, the ‘Seven Serpent’, is not isolated. Think of Demeter from ancient Greece, also closely tied to agriculture and nourishment. These goddesses, though geographically distant, share a common thread: the cyclical renewal of life, mirrored in the earth's bounty. This connection transcends cultures, resonating with humanity's fundamental dependence on the land. We see this archetype repeatedly, a testament to the enduring power of the life-giving female, reflecting our collective unconscious and our primal connection to nature's cycles. It’s an image that stirs deep within us, reminding us of the earth’s ceaseless rhythm and our place within it.