Which Aztec god was the deity of hunting and the clouds?

Which Aztec god was the deity of hunting and the clouds? Mixcoatl was the Aztec god associated with hunting and clouds, as well as the Milky Way, stars, and the heavens.

His name combines Nahuatl words commonly translated as “cloud” and “serpent,” giving him a celestial identity as well as a connection to the wilderness. In several Mesoamerican traditions, Mixcoatl was linked with the Milky Way and with groups who traced their ancestry to Chichimec peoples. He was also worshipped under the name Camaxtli in places such as Tlaxcala and Huejotzingo.

Mixcoatl’s hunting role appears in his distinctive imagery: he is often shown with a bow, arrows, and equipment for carrying game. The Aztec month Quecholli was dedicated to him and included hunting and feasting activities. Ritual participants could dress in his manner and kindle a new fire while preparing hunted animals.

Mixcoatl is sometimes confused with Quetzalcoatl because both names contain “coatl,” meaning serpent. They are different deities, although myths sometimes make Mixcoatl the father of Quetzalcoatl. Mixcoatl’s central identity is the hunter and cloud-serpent of the sky.