Native Languages of the Americas:
Aztec Legends and Traditional Stories

This is our collection of links to Aztec folktales and traditional stories that can be read online. We have indexed our Native American mythology section by tribe to make them easier to locate; however, variants on the same legend are often told by American Indians from different tribes, especially if those tribes are kinfolk or neighbors to each other. In particular, though these legends come from the Aztecs, the traditional stories of related tribes like the Toltec are very similar.

Enjoy the stories! If you would like to recommend an Aztec legend for this page or think one of the ones on here should be removed, please contact us and let us know.

Aztec Gods and Goddesses

Click on each god's name for more detailed information about his or her role in Aztec mythology.

Quetzalcoatl (also spelled Quetzalcohuatl): The feathered serpent, god of the wind and civilization. Quetzalcoatl was the special benefactor of humans, bringing them corn and teaching them how to live. Pronounced ket-sall-ko-ah-tl.

Other Mythological Figures in Aztec/Nahuatl Legends

Ahuizotl (also spelled Ahuitzotl, Auitzotl and other ways): This is a dangerous water monster of Aztec mythology. Its name means "water opossum." It looks somewhat like a large stylized opossum only with a hand at the end of its tail, which it uses to drag people underwater, kill them and eat their eyes. Pronounced ah-weet-soh-tl.

Aztec Indian Folklore

Aztec Hymns:
Collection of sacred Aztec songs.

Mexican Mythology: Nahua Religion:
Online book of Toltec and Aztec myths.

Aztec Creation Story:
Aztec myth about the creation of the world.

The Five Suns:
Mythological eras of the Aztecs.

Earth Goddess:
Legend of the Aztec goddess Tlalteuctli.

Aztec Flood Myth:
Aztec stories about the flooding of the earth.

The Rag-Picker and the Priest:
Aztec legend about a rag-picker trying to steal dangeous magical items.

Recommended Books on Aztec Mythology

An Illustrated Dictionary of the Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico:
Excellent introduction to the mythology and religious art of the Aztecs and other Mexican tribes.

The Codex Borgia:
Reproduction of one of the most complete and important pre-Columbian Aztec religious manuscripts.

The Eagle and the Rainbow: Timeless Tales from Mexico:
Children's book illustrating several Aztec and other Mexican Indian folktales.

The Deetkatoo:
Great collection of traditional tales about little people from the Nahua and other tribes.

Additional Resources

Aztec (Mexica) mythology
Aztec mythology
Books of Native American legends
Indian religions
Aztec words
Native Mexicans
Mesoamerican cultural area
Uto-Aztecan tribes
Nahuatl culture
Native American websites