Mexico etymology

Etymology

The name "Mexico" is derived from the Nahuatl language, the language spoken by the Aztec people.

Meaning

"Mexico" means "navel of the moon" or "in the center of the moon."

Origin

The origin of the name "Mexico" is found in the Aztec legend of the founding of their capital city, Tenochtitlan.

According to the legend:

• The Aztec god Huitzilopochtli ordered his people to migrate south until they found an eagle perched on a cactus, eating a snake.
• The Aztecs eventually found this omen on an island in Lake Texcoco.
• The island was named "Tenochtitlan" (meaning "place of the prickly pear cactus"), and the surrounding area became known as "Mexico" (navel of the moon).

Symbolic Meaning

The name "Mexico" had a profound symbolic meaning for the Aztecs:

• The moon represented the night sky, which was associated with creation and divinity.
• The navel represented the center of the universe, where the heavens and earth met.
• Thus, "Mexico" signified the heart or core of their sacred land.

Evolution of the Name

Over time, the name "Mexico" was extended to refer to the entire Aztec empire and eventually the modern-day country of Mexico.

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