Centeotl

thumb|Centeōtl in the Codex Borgia In Aztec mythology, Centeōtl , also known as Centeōcihuātl or Cinteōtl, is the maize deity. Cintli means "dried maize still on the cob" and teōtl means "deity". According to the Florentine Codex,

Centeōtl is the son of the earth goddess, Tlazōlteōtl and solar deity Piltzintecuhtli, the planet Mercury. He was born on the day-sign 1 Xōchitl. Another myth claims him as the son of the goddess Xōchiquetzal. The majority of evidence gathered on Centeōtl suggests that he is usually portrayed as a young man (although a debate is still ongoing), with yellow body colouration. Some specialists believe that Centeōtl used to be the maize goddess Chicomecōātl. Centeōtl was considered one of the most important deities of the Aztec era. There are many standard features shared in depictions of Centeōtl. For example, there often seems to be maize in his headdress. Another striking trait is the black line running down his eyebrow, through his cheek, and ending at the bottom of his jawline. These face markings are similarly and frequently used in the late post-classic depictions of the 'foliated' Maya maize god.