We've already talked quite a bit about mythology in Wednesday, but I was thinking back to the very first episode, and strangely enough, Morticia herself gives us a little hint. When she gives Wednesday the obsidian necklace, she explains that Aztec priests used obsidian to conjure visions. And just as a reminder, the Aztecs lived in what is now Mexico, which also happens to be where Gomez Addams' family has its roots. π
So I looked into a few things about Aztec mythology and found some interesting possible connections with the show. Of course, as always, these are just theories. Nothing too serious here.
First, there's their conception of time. In Aztec culture, time was cyclical, with different calendar cycles intertwined. The 260 day ritual calendar and the 365 day solar calendar, for example, came back into alignment every 52 years... For a show where stories repeat themselves across generations and events from the past keep influencing the present, I find that rather fitting.
BUT that's not all. The cosmos and the stars also played an important role in Aztec traditions. The stars of Orion's Belt and Sword have been associated with the Mamalhuaztli, a celestial fire drill. And every 52 years, during the New Fire Ceremony, priests watched the night sky, particularly the Pleiades, for the sign that a new cycle could begin. In a way, the stars acted like a cosmic clock, marking a moment when the world might renew itself... or descend into chaos.... And we know that Wednesday loves chaos π
And there's also their conception of the universe, divided into different realms, including the underworld, the earthly world and the heavens, all connected through a central world axis. I find that pretty interesting when thinking about Wednesday capacities and the possible connections between different worlds.
And finally, one last little anecdote. Transformation is obviously a major theme in the show, and I couldn't help thinking about the Hydes. In Aztec mythology, there's a god called Xolotl who, while trying to escape being sacrificed, transforms himself into an axolotl to hide in the water. And axolotls are genuinely incredible little salamanders! They normally retain their larval characteristics throughout their live and they have extraordinary regenerative abilities.
BUT here's the interesting part: although they rarely undergo metamorphosis naturally, it can be induced chemically, particularly through thyroid hormones, and rare cases have also been associated with major environmental stress. When they do transform, they lose their aquatic characteristics and become more adapted to life on land. But there's a price to pay: their regenerative abilities decrease, and their lifespan can be considerably shorter. Does that remind you of anything? ππ
Anyway, that was my little mythology related thought of the day! What do you think? Could we see more Aztec mythology in future seasons? Could the Hydes have been partly inspired by axolotls?
And most importantly... aren't these little salamanders just ridiculously adorable? π₯Ή