Ombligo de la Luna
Mexico, a country known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes, carries a name with a story as captivating as the land itself. While most people refer to it as “Mexico” today, the country’s indigenous peoples once called it “Ombligo de la Luna,” which translates to “Belly Button of the Moon.” This intriguing name reflects the deep-rooted connection between Mexico’s ancient civilizations and the celestial bodies they revered.
The ancient Mesoamerican cosmology
To understand why Mexico was called “Ombligo de la Luna,” we must first explore the cosmology of the ancient Mesoamerican civilizations. These cultures, including the Aztecs, Maya, and Olmecs, had a profound fascination with the heavens and believed that celestial bodies held significant influence over their daily lives.
The moon, in particular, was a celestial entity of great importance. It played a crucial role in Mesoamerican calendars, rituals, and religious beliefs. The Mesoamericans believed that the moon was a manifestation of various deities and that its cycles held the key to understanding the world around them.
Ombligo de la Luna: the name’s origin
The name “Ombligo de la Luna” is believed to have been used by the Aztecs, who dominated much of Mesoamerica before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. The Aztecs had a complex calendar system, known as the tonalpohualli, which was based on the cycles of the moon and the sun. This calendar system guided various aspects of Aztec life, including agriculture, festivals, and religious ceremonies.
The Aztecs saw their capital city, Tenochtitlan (present-day Mexico City), as the center of the universe, the place where the human world and the divine world intersected. In their cosmology, the city was situated on an island in the middle of a great lake, and they believed that this lake represented the earthly reflection of the heavens.
The name “Ombligo de la Luna” likely emerged from this belief. It symbolizes the idea that Tenochtitlan, as the capital of the Aztec Empire, was not just the center of their world but also the point where the terrestrial realm touched the celestial one—the very belly button of the moon.
Parallel theory of the Ombligo de la Luna
The name “Ombligo de la Luna,” which translates to “Belly button of the Moon,” has its origin in the ancient lakes that once occupied the Mexico Basin. These lakes resembled the shape of a rabbit, similar to the silhouette formed by lunar spots when viewed from Earth. Since the great city of Tenochtitlán was situated in the center of these lakes, it was symbolically placed at the “navel” of the moon’s rabbit-shaped figure.
Another version regarding the origin of the word suggests that it derives from Mexictli, the name given to the god Huitzilopochtli, “the hummingbird of the south,” who led the Mexica people to the lake region in central Mexico. Mexictli is composed of the roots metl (maguey or agave), xictli (navel), and the locative co, which translates to “in the navel of the maguey.” This reflects the mythological significance that the pre-Hispanic cultures attributed to the agave plant.
Legacy and modern usage
When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Mesoamerica in the early 16th century, they brought their own language and culture, leading to the renaming of places and the imposition of Christianity. The name “Ombligo de la Luna” gradually faded into history as “Mexico” became the more widely accepted name for the region.
Nonetheless, the legacy of “Ombligo de la Luna” lives on in the hearts and minds of modern Mexicans. It serves as a reminder of the rich and profound beliefs of their ancestors and the deep connection they had with the cosmos. Today, some indigenous communities and scholars are working to revive and preserve this ancient name as a way of honoring their cultural heritage.
The name “Ombligo de la Luna” encapsulates the deep spiritual and cultural significance that the moon held for the ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, particularly the Aztecs. It reflects a world where the celestial and terrestrial realms were intricately connected, and where a city could be seen as the very navel of the moon itself. While the name may no longer be in common use, its legacy endures as a symbol of Mexico’s rich and fascinating history, and its connection to the mystical world of the ancient Mesoamericans.
