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The Thirteen Heavens

The Thirteen Heavens are theological locations. The Nahua people believed that the heavens were constructed and separated into 13 levels, usually called Topan or simply each one Ilhuicatl iohhui, Ilhuicatl iohtlatoquiliz. Each level had from one to many Lords living in and ruling them.

In mythology, the Thirteen Heavens were formed out of Cipactli's head when the Gods made creation out of Its body, whereas Tlaltícpac, the earth, was made from Its center and the nine levels of the underworld (Mictlan) from Its tail.

The most important of these heavens was Omeyocan (Place of Two), where the dual Lord and Lady, Ometecuhtli (Two Lord) and Omecihuatl (Two Lady), resided.

Number Names Translation Dwellers Description
1 Ilhuicatl-Meztli, Ilhuicatl-Tlalocan-Meztli, Ilhuicatl-Tlaloc-Meztli, Ilhuicatl-Tlalocan “Sky where the moon moves” or “Tlalocan” Meztli, lunar Gods, Tlaloc, the Tlaloque, Ehecatl, the Ehecatotontli. Here the moon and the clouds are in motion.
2 Ilhuicatl-Tetlaliloc, Ilhuicatl-Cintlalco “Sky where the stars move” Citlalicue, Citlalatonac, Centzon Mimixcoa, Centzon Huitznahuac, the constellation Gods. Here the stars are in motion.
3 Ilhuicatl-Tonatiuh “Sky where the Sun moves” Tonatiuh, Nanahuatzin. Western sky where the sun travels before submerging into Mictlan.
4 Ilhuicatl-Huitztlan “Sky of the Big Star” Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, Huixtocihuatl. The way of Venus.
5 Ilhuicatl-Mamaloaco “Sky that is sinking or being drilled” Citlalicue, Citlalatonac, the comet Gods. Here the comets (called citlallinpopoca or also citlalmina or xihuitl, depending on their shape) are in motion.
6 Ilhuicatl-Yayauhco “Dark green sky” Tezcatlipoca. Place from where the night comes and spreads.
7 Ilhuicatl-Xoxoauhco, Ilhuicatl-Xoxoco, Ilhuicatl-Xoxoauhqui “Blue sky” Huitzilopochtli. Here the sun shows its face at dawn. Sky that is seeing during the day.
8 Ilhuicatl-Nanatzcayan, Ilhuicatl-Itzapan-Nanatzcayan “Sky where the obsidian knives are creaking” Mictlantecuhtli, Mictecacihuatl, Itztlacoliuhqui, Itzpapalotl, Tlaloc. Place of storms. Heavenly abode of the god of death from where the darkness comes.
9 Ilhuicatl-Teoiztac, Ilhuicatl-Teoixtac “White sky” Quetzalcoatl, the Tzitzimime. Abode of the white god and stellar spirits.
10 Ilhuicatl-Teocozauhco “Yellow sky” Tonatiuh. Eastern sky where the sun comes from and goes to the west.
11 Ilhuicatl-Teotlatlauhco, Ilhuicatl-Teotlauhco “Red sky” Xiuhtecuhtli, Chantico, the Xiuhtotontli. Abode of the red god. Red sky with rays of light to express that the first creation of the world was the earthly fire.
12 Ilhuicatl-Teteocan “Sky that is the place of the gods” The Four Tezcatlipocas. Residence of the Gods.
13 Ilhuicatl-Omeyocan “Sky that is the Place of Two”, “Place of Duality” Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, or Tonacatecuhtli and Tonacacihuatl. Residence of the first Gods.
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