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Terminology

cuauhxicalli

A cuauhxicalli or quauhxicalli (lang, meaning "eagle gourd bowl") was an altar-like stone vessel used by the Aztec in sacrificial ceremonies, believed to be for holding human hearts. A cuauhxicalli would often be decorated with animal motifs, commonly eagles or jaguars. Another kind of cuauhxicalli is the Chacmool-type, which is shaped as a reclining person holding a bowl on his belly.

cuauhxicalli

Stone offering vessel, Aztec, AD 1300-1521, in the British Museum, London

Simon Burchell (Own work) · CC BY-SA 3.0

Field
vase · sculpture · monolith

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A cuauhxicalli or quauhxicalli (lang, meaning "eagle gourd bowl") was an altar-like stone vessel used by the Aztec in sacrificial ceremonies, believed to be for holding human hearts. A cuauhxicalli would often be decorated with animal motifs, commonly eagles or jaguars. Another kind of cuauhxicalli is the Chacmool-type, which is shaped as a reclining person holding a bowl on his belly.

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