Art Institute of Chicago

Coronation Stone of Moctezuma Xocoyotzin

Maker unknown (Mexica, Aztec)

Date

c. 1503

Medium

Basalt

Culture

Tenochtitlan

Department

Arts of the Americas

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

The Mexicas, or Aztec Empire, ruled central Mexico from 1428 until 1521. This monument uses glyphs to record the history of the Mexica universe up to 1503. On the back, 1 Rabbit represents the beginning of time. On the front, the four previous cosmic eras are inscribed in the corners, while the current cosmic era 4 Movement appears in the center. 1 Crocodile (above) and 11 Reed (in the square frame) indicate the date July 15, 1503, when the ninth emperor Moctezuma Xocoyotzin was coronated. Just as these glyphs recurred throughout the Mexica capital, Tenochtitlan, they can also be found in Chicago: 4 Movement appears in a mural at the 18th Street “L” stop and on manhole covers in Pilsen—a neighborhood that has long been home to Chicago’s vibrant Mexican community.

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