Which Aztec god ruled over the underworld, Mictlan?

Which Aztec god ruled over the underworld, Mictlan? Mictlantecuhtli was the Aztec god of the dead and king of Mictlan.

His name means “Lord of Mictlan,” linking him directly to the underworld he governed. Mictlan was traditionally described as the destination for most people who died ordinary deaths, unlike warriors, sacrificed victims, or people who died in water-related circumstances, who could receive other afterlife destinations.

Mictlan had nine levels, and the dead faced a difficult journey lasting four years. The dog-associated deity Xolotl could serve as a guide or psychopomp. Mictlantecuhtli ruled alongside his wife, Mictecacihuatl, often called the Lady of the Underworld. He was commonly depicted as a skeletal figure, emphasizing death and bodily decay.

A common mix-up is confusing Mictlantecuhtli with Xolotl: Xolotl helped guide the dead, while Mictlantecuhtli was the ruler. Another famous story tells how Quetzalcoatl entered Mictlan to obtain the bones of earlier generations, which were used in the creation of humanity.