Key Info

- Five Aztec gods who represent excess and pleasure and the dangers that accompany them.

Brief Bio

The Ahuiateteo (also known as Macuiltonaleque) were a group of five deities associated with excess and pleasure, but also with the negative consequences that can arise from indulging in them. These gods represented the dangers of overindulgence in activities like drinking, gambling, and lustful activity. They were also invoked by diviners and mystics. 

The five Ahuiateteo were:

Macuilcozcacuauhtli: (Five Vulture) Associated with gluttony. 

Macuilcuetzpalin: (Five Lizard). 

Macuilmalinalli: (Five Grass). 

Macuiltochtli: (Five Rabbit) Associated with drunkenness and pulque (a beverage made from the agave plant). 

Macuilxochitl: (Five Flower) Associated with gambling, music, and is also an aspect of Xochipilli, the god of flowers, music, and dance. Macuilxochitl is also considered the leader of the Ahuiateteo. 

The number five was significant in their symbolism, representing excess and the potential for things to go wrong when one indulges too much.