Tezcatlipoca had it now in mind to people the earth, and he, therefore, smote a certain rock with a stick, and from it issued four hundred barbarians (chichimeca).[1] Certain five goddesses, however, whom he had already created in the eighth heaven, descended and slew these four hundred, all but three.  These goddesses likewise died before the sun appeared, but came into being again from the garments they had left behind.  So also did the four hundred Chichimecs, and these set about to burn one of the five goddesses, by name Coatlicue, the Serpent Skirted, because it was discovered that she was with child, though yet unmarried.  But, in fact, she was a spotless virgin, and had known no man.  She had placed some white plumes in her bosom, and through these the god Huitzilopochtli entered her body to be born again.  When, therefore, the four hundred had gathered together to burn her, the god came forth fully armed and slew them every one.

[Footnote 1:  The name Chichimeca has been a puzzle.  The derivation appears to be from chichi, a dog, mecatl, a rope.  According to general tradition the Chichimecs were a barbarous people who inhabited Mexico before the Aztecs came.  Yet Sahagun says the Toltecs were the real Chichimecs (Lib. x, cap. xxix).  In the myth we are now considering, they were plainly the stars.]

It is not hard to guess who are these four hundred youths slain before the sun rises, destined to be restored to life and yet again destroyed.  The veil of metaphor is thin which thus conceals to our mind the picture of the myriad stars quenched every morning by the growing light, but returning every evening to their appointed places.  And did any doubt remain, it is removed by the direct statement in the echo of this tradition preserved by the Kiches of Guatemala, wherein it is plainly said that the four hundred youths who were put to death by Zipacna, and restored to life by Hunhun Ahpu, “rose into the sky and became the stars of heaven."[1]

[Footnote 1:  Popol Vuh, Le Livre Sacre des Quiches, p. 193.]

Indeed, these same ancient men whose explanations I have been following added that the four hundred men whom Tezcatlipoca created continued yet to live in the third heaven, and were its guards and watchmen.  They were of five colors, yellow, black, white, blue and red, which in the symbolism of their tongue meant that they were distributed around the zenith and to each of the four cardinal points.[1]

[Footnote 1:  See H. de Charencey, Des Couleurs Considerees comme Symboles des Points de l’Horizon chez les Peuples du Nouveau Monde, in the Actes de la Societe Philologiques, Tome vi.  No. 3.]