The myth of " The god who became a deer " is part of the oral tradition of the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica.
Like myths throughout the world, Mesoamerican myths explicitly or metaphorically describe the way these original inhabitants conceived of the world.
Often in their description they use unusual analogies such as fantastic creatures doing strange things to convey true messages.
Specifically, The God Who Became a Deer is a remote legend belonging to the Tarascan culture. This civilization dominated western Mexico, and built an empire that was second only to the Aztecs. Its base was the center and north of Michoacán.
Symbols present in The god who became a deer
Myths are symbolic stories that, in some way, relate real events and that are especially associated with religious beliefs.
These stories feature gods or superhuman beings involved in extraordinary events or circumstances. Myths give rise to a series of symbols that explain natural phenomena and cultural concepts. Therefore, your analysis is important.
Well, some authors affirm that the myth of The god who became a deer refers to the defeat of the Father-Sun by the sovereign of the night Ahchuri-Hirepe.
The latter would be one of the deities of the underworld and his name would translate: the hurried night that guards the sun.
For its part, the deer would be the symbolic manifestation of Cupanzieeri (the sun that is dying). He is resurrected by his hunter son, Siratapezi (the young or morning sun). The myth then seems to establish the day-night pattern.
On the other hand, it should be noted that the figure of the deer appears very frequently in Mesoamerican mythology. However, there seems to be little homogeneity in terms of the symbolism represented by this animal.
Among the various themes where deer are present are cosmic fatherhood and female sexuality. In many stories, these creatures are depicted as pretty goofy animals.
History of the deer god
The story begins with a ball game between two gods: Cupanzieeri and Achuri hirepe. This game took place on the Curutarán hill.
Both played with a lot of verve to achieve victory. But, when night falls, the first loses and is sacrificed in Xacona.
The second stays with Cupanzieeri's wife who was pregnant. The son, Siratapezi, grows up thinking that Achuri hirepe is his real father.
One day, when Siratapezi was hunting with a bow, an iguana asks her not to kill her and tells her the secret.
He went to face Achuri hirepe, defeats him and sacrifices him later. Then he dug up his father's bones and carried them on his back.
On the way back, he encountered a flock of quail taking flight. He dropped the bones to take his bow and arrow.
Then the father's remains turned into a deer. His father, turned into a deer, left promising to return to scare the town like a flock of quail.
References
- Read, KA and Gonzalez, JJ (2002). Mesoamerican Mythology. New York: OUP USA.
- Cartwright, M. (2013, December 11). Tarascan Civilization. Retrieved on December 16, 2017, from ancient.eu.
- Bolle, KW et al. (2017, January 03). Myth. Retrieved on December 16, 2017, from britannica.com.
- Ancient symbols. (s / f). Mythological Symbols. Retrieved on December 16, 2017, from ancient-symbols.com
- De Alcalá, J. (2014). Michoacán relationship. Barcelona: Linkgua digital.
- Casab Rueda, U. (1992). The game of the rubber ball: Ancient Mexico. Mexico DF: National Sports Commission.
- Stone, C. (2017). In Place of Gods and Kings: Authorship and Identity in the Relationship of Michoacán. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press.