The double pyramid was a particularly important form in Mexica architecture, and it was used for several major temples, including the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlan, the temple of Quetzalcoatl at Tenayuca, and the great pyramid of Cholula. The double pyramid consisted of two shrines on top of a single platform, with two staircases leading up the front of the pyramid. The two shrines were typically dedicated to two gods, often a male and a female deity, and the double pyramid was a symbol of the dual nature of the Mexica religion.
The Symbolism of the Double Pyramid
The double pyramid was a particularly important form in Mexica religion, and it was rich in symbolism. The two shrines represented the two principal forces of the Mexica religion, and they symbolized the balance of the two forces that was essential for the survival of the Mexica state. The most common pairing was the war god Huitzilopochtli and the rain god Tlaloc, and the pairing represented the union of the sun and the rain, which was essential for the success of the agriculture.
The double pyramid also represented the Mexica understanding of the cosmos. The pyramid represented the sacred mountain, where the gods were believed to dwell, and the two shrines represented the two principal forces that governed the universe. The two staircases represented the two paths that the Mexica could follow, the path of war and the path of peace, and they symbolized the Mexica commitment to the maintenance of the cosmic order.
The Templo Mayor
The most famous double pyramid was the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlan, the religious and political center of the Mexica state. The Templo Mayor was dedicated jointly to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc, and the two shrines on top of the temple were dedicated to these two gods. The Templo Mayor was the destination of pilgrims from across the empire, and it was the venue for the most important religious ceremonies of the year.
The Templo Mayor was rebuilt and enlarged seven times during the history of Tenochtitlan, and the final version was completed in 1487. The final version was about 60 meters tall, and it was one of the largest and most impressive religious structures of pre-Columbian America. The Templo Mayor was the symbol of the Mexica state, and it was the most important public building in the capital.
Other Double Pyramids
In addition to the Templo Mayor, the Mexica built several other double pyramids at other important sites. The temple of Quetzalcoatl at Tenayuca was a double pyramid dedicated to the Feathered Serpent, and it was one of the earliest sites of Mexica religious worship. The great pyramid of Cholula was a double pyramid dedicated to Quetzalcoatl, and it was one of the largest structures of pre-Columbian America.
The double pyramid was also used for the temples of the local calpulli, and the smaller temples of the commoners were often built in the double pyramid form. The double pyramid was a symbol of the Mexica religious and political order, and it was a common feature of Mexica architecture throughout the empire.
The Survival of the Double Pyramid
The double pyramid shaped the Mexica architectural tradition, and many elements of the tradition have survived in the modern Mexican architecture. The modern Mexican architects have been influenced by the Mexica tradition, and they have used the double pyramid form in some of their most important works.
The double pyramid is also an important part of the modern Mexican cultural heritage, and the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlan is now a major archaeological site and a symbol of the Mexican national identity. The Templo Mayor Museum, located next to the ruins, houses one of the most important collections of Mexica art in the world, and it is a major cultural attraction.
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