aZTECS IN POPULAR CULTURE
Aztecs seen through entertainment Just like the Mayans, the entertainment business likes to portray history, but through their own kind of versions. Movies like, Conquistadors, The Fountain, Aguirre: The Wrath of God, Aztec Rex, Apocalypto, and The Road to El Dorado, try to portray the Aztec civilization. |
Aztec influence on Society and Modern Day Mexico
The Aztecs are one of the most notable indigenous religions. It has been a big influence on society today by their beliefs and their values. Today, we are educated about this religion through education and even through entertainment. The Aztec religion has affected and influenced people in society by the clothes they wear, and also by people getting tattoos related to the religion. In addition, the mentality of the Aztec people were very independent. Despite their affinity for human sacrifice, the people in their civilization took school and jobs seriously. The society required all children to have an educated, and did not discriminate based on gender or social class. Another influence they have today is through their diet (consisting of beans, corn, squash, which were often added to chili and tomatoes) that is still used due to the nutrients and vitamins it can provide. Aztecs also ate different kinds of bugs, which ironically, are still eaten today. Recreation for the civilization were mainly ball games. We have interpreted these "ball games" as soccer and football. The most well know influence that the Aztec has on society, especially modern day Mexico, is seen through the Mexican culture. The ancient religion is represented through Mexico's coat of arms, clothing, footwear, music, dance, and the most well-known being the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos). |
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The Day of the Dead
Celebrated in some of the United States and Mexico, the Day of the Dead originated through the Aztec civilization. In the rural parts of Mexico, citizens go to cemeteries and pay their respects to those who have passed. People bring flowers, toys, have picnics, and even bring alcohol to the cemetery since the day is seen as a celebration. In the cities (and like the United States), people mainly have altars, lighted candles, and pictures of the deceased to honor their loved ones.
THE AZTEC TOTEM POLE, SHAMAN & ANIMISM IS RELATED TO DISNEY’S BROTHER BEAR
Brother Bear Synopsis: The story tells the story of three brothers, Kenai, Denahi, and Sitka during the post ice-North America. They return back to their tribe so that Kenai can get his totem. The totem symbolizes him becoming a man. Sitka, receives the guidance of eagle and Denani the guidance of love. Keani revives the love of a bear. He doesn't like bears. A bear steals the piece of fish and the brothers fight him. In order to save his brothers Sitka sacrifices himself by falling with the bear. The bear survives. Keani is injured and cured by Tanana the shaman. In order to advance for the death of his brother he kills the bear. Sitka spirit comes in the form of an eagle and changes Keani into a bear. Denahi mistakes Keani for dead. Keani likes living with the bears, therefore he remains a bear so he can live with Koda.
Totem: is an animal figure-such as the bear, beaver, Thunderbird, owl, raven, and eagle - that is revered for both its symbolic meaning and its clan symbols. ( 61) Animism: is present in everything and is especially apparent in living things- trees, plants, birds, animals, and human beings-and in the motion of water, the sun, the moon, clouds, and winds. (39) Shaman: acts an intermediary between the visible, ordinary world and the spirit world.(56) The three religious similarities from the movie to Indigenous Religions are: Animism Totem Poles Relationships with Nature The three religious differences from the movie to Indigenous Religions are: The Great Spirit is worshiped differently than the High God and Deities of the Indigenous people. Animals are killed, which is not allowed in the Indigenous religion. Humans become bears, which there is no record of from what has been studied regarding this religions. |
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"Influences on society." aztec-religion.weebly.com. Accessed Feb. 7, 2015.
http://aztec-religion.weebly.com/influences-on-society.html
"Day of the Dead History: Ritual dating back 3000 years." azcentral. Accessed Feb. 9, 2015.
http://www.azcentral.com/
"7 Conquistador Movies That Every Aztec Would Fear." Screen Junkies. Accessed Feb. 9, 2015.
http://www.screenjunkies.com
"Brother Bear First Animation Movie." YouTube. YouTube. Web. 29 Mar. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k8atftIqpQ>.
"Plot Summary." IMDb. IMDb.com. Web. 29 Mar. 2015. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0328880/plotsummary>
"Aztec Totem Poles." Dreamstime. Web. 29 Mar. 2015. <http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photography-aztec-totem-poles-image28009262>.
http://aztec-religion.weebly.com/influences-on-society.html
"Day of the Dead History: Ritual dating back 3000 years." azcentral. Accessed Feb. 9, 2015.
http://www.azcentral.com/
"7 Conquistador Movies That Every Aztec Would Fear." Screen Junkies. Accessed Feb. 9, 2015.
http://www.screenjunkies.com
"Brother Bear First Animation Movie." YouTube. YouTube. Web. 29 Mar. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k8atftIqpQ>.
"Plot Summary." IMDb. IMDb.com. Web. 29 Mar. 2015. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0328880/plotsummary>
"Aztec Totem Poles." Dreamstime. Web. 29 Mar. 2015. <http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photography-aztec-totem-poles-image28009262>.