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The insignia depicted many thingsweapons, scenes of great deeds in the past, gods, and previous kings
74as well as more abstract designs.75 While some of these insignia were received in tribute and others were made by the feather workers of Tenochtitlan,76 many were also captured in war.77 Captured devices were given to the king, who then awarded them to the deserving, and many indicated participation in a specific battle.78 It was in this manner that the quetzalpatzactli feather crest was first introduced among the Aztecs. It was captured in Ayotlan, and King Ahuitzotl adopted it as his own, although he had apparently remained in Tenochtitlan, and the army was commanded in the field by Moteuczomah Xocoyotl.79 |
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The shield designs and insignia of the Aztec tlahtoani seem to have been adopted as symbols of major events, such as great victories. Thus, the dress resembled medieval heraldry depicting an individual's great accomplishments.80 For example, King Moquihuix of Tlatelolco had a quetzalhuehxolotl for his standard, while King Axayacatl's standard was a human skin.81 King Ahuitzotl's insignia was a cuauhxolotl of gold on top of a straw dwelling (a xahcalli, used for shelter during military campaigns), while that of Moteuczomah Xocoyotl was a bird called a tlauhquechol.82 The penalty for using insignia and colors to which one was not entitled was death.83 |
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Wearing such distinctive insignia also meant that great warriors could be identified and targeted by the enemy. For example, in the campaign by Tetzcoco against Huexotzinco, the king of Huexotzinco inquired about the insignia carried by King Nezahualcoyotl so that he could direct the whole of his army against him and kill him. Nezahualcoyotl learned of this scheme and exchanged arms with a captain in his army, saying that he wanted to honor him by allowing him to wear the king's arms. Thus Nezahualcoyotl survived the battle; the captain did not.84 |
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The king could deprive the warriors of some of the insignia honoring their military accomplishments if they subsequently performed poorly.85 Because insignia were earned by individual achievements, they did not pass from father to son. When a warrior died, his insignia were cremated or buried with him.86 |
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In addition to the ranks and offices set forth above, there were others dealing with war.87 Once the telpochcalli youth had been tested in battle, if he was brave he was named the tiachcauh, the master of youths, and if he became valiant and reached manhood, he was named the telpochtlahtoh, the ruler who governed, judged, sen- |
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