His fair complexion was, as usual, significant of light.  This association of ideas was so familiar among the Mexicans that at the time of an eclipse of the sun they sought out the whitest men and women they could find, and sacrificed them, in order to pacify the sun.[1]

[Footnote 1:  Mendieta, Historia Eclesiastica Indiana, Lib. ii, cap. xvi.]

His opponent, Tezcatlipoca, was the most sublime figure in the Aztec Pantheon.  He towered above all other gods, as did Jove in Olympus.  He was appealed to as the creator of heaven and earth, as present in every place, as the sole ruler of the world, as invisible and omniscient.

The numerous titles by which he was addressed illustrate the veneration in which he was held.  His most common name in prayers was Titlacauan, We are his Slaves.  As believed to be eternally young, he was Telpochtli, the Youth; as potent and unpersuadable, he was Moyocoyatzin, the Determined Doer;[1] as exacting in worship, Monenegui, He who Demands Prayers; as the master of the race, Teyocoyani, Creator of Men, and Teimatini, Disposer of Men.  As he was jealous and terrible, the god who visited on men plagues, and famines, and loathsome diseases, the dreadful deity who incited wars and fomented discord, he was named Yaotzin, the Arch Enemy, Yaotl necoc, the Enemy of both Sides, Moquequeloa, the Mocker, Nezaualpilli, the Lord who Fasts, Tlamatzincatl, He who Enforces Penitence; and as dark, invisible and inscrutable, he was Yoalli ehecatl, the Night Wind.[2]

[Footnote 1:  Moyocoyatzin, is the third person singular of yocoya, to do, to make, with the reverential termination tzin.  Sahagun says this title was given him because he could do what he pleased, on earth or in heaven, and no one could prevent him. (Historia de Nueva Espana, Lib.  III. cap.  II.) It seems to me that it would rather refer to his demiurgic, creative power.]

[Footnote 2:  All these titles are to be found in Sahagun, Historia de Nueva Espana.]

He was said to be formed of thin air and darkness; and when he was seen of men it was as a shadow without substance.  He alone of all the gods defied the assaults of time, was ever young and strong, and grew not old with years.[1] Against such an enemy who could hope for victory?

[Footnote 1:  The description of Clavigero is worth quoting:  “TEZCATLIPOCA:  Questo era il maggior Dio, che in que paesi si adorava, dopo il Dio invisible, o Supremo Essere.  Era il Dio della Providenza, l’ anima del Mondo, il Creator del Cielo e della Terra, ed il Signor di tutle le cose.  Rappresentavanlo tuttora giovane per significare, che non s’ invecchiava mai, ne s’ indeboliva cogli anni.” Storia Antica di Messico, Lib. vi, p. 7.]

The name “Tezcatlipoca” is one of odd significance.  It means The Smoking Mirror.  This strange metaphor has received various explanations.  The mirrors in use among the Aztecs were polished plates of obsidian, trimmed to a circular form.  There was a variety of this black stone called tezcapoctli, smoky mirror stone, and from this his images were at times made.[1] This, however, seems too trivial an explanation.