Anzaldua writes that Coatlicue depicts the contradictory. In the figure of Coatlicue, all the symbols important to the religion and philosophy of the Aztecs are integrated. Match each aspect of the figure of Coatlicue, or Serpent Skirt, with its symbolic meaning.

Question

1. The two spurts of blood that transfigure into twin rattlesnakes that face each other, all of which extends upward from the shoulders as the head.
2. Serpents in the form of eagle-like claws that are the hands and feet of Coatlicue.
3. The open hands found in Coatlicue's necklace.
4. The human hearts found in Coatlicue's necklace.
5. The human skull with living eyes in its sockets found in the center of Coatlicue's necklace and, again, hanging from her belt.

A. The act of giving life.
B. The digging of graves into the earth, as well as the masculine force represented by the sky-bound eagle.
C. That life and death are parts of one process.
D. The earth-bound character of human life.
E. The pain of Mother Earth giving birth to all her children, the pain humans suffer throughout life in their struggle for existence, and the taking of life through sacrifice to the gods in exchange for their preservation of the world.
F. The duality of body and spirit.
G. The weakness of the female aspect compared to the strength of the male aspect.

Answer 1

1. D. The earth-bound character of human life.
2. B. The digging of graves into the earth, as well as the masculine force represented by the sky-bound eagle.
3. A. The act of giving life.
4. E. The pain of Mother Earth giving birth to all her children, the pain humans suffer throughout life in their struggle for existence, and the taking of life through sacrifice to the gods in exchange for their preservation of the world.
5. C. That life and death are parts of one process.