Aztec Clothing

Why were headdresses so important? What did they represent?

 

• The headdresses of the Ancient Aztec’s were one of the most important parts of their life and culture.

• They were deemed so important that there were even laws restricting certain people from wearing headdresses or specific decorations on them.

• If you broke this law you could be punished with death.

• The headdresses were usually shaped like a disc which represented the universe and the sky and this was to remind the wearer that they must be at one with the universe.

• Shells, feathers, metals, beads and precious stones could all be used to decorate the headdress.

• The feathers were layered with only the brightest and most beautiful at the top and the dull ones at the bottom to make the headdress full.

• The Aztec’s believed that the Gods and Goddesses wore headdresses so the upper class of the Aztec society should too to show off their status and connection with the higher beings to the lower class.

• Headdresses symbolise that the wearer has been accepted by the Gods and has the ability to rule and govern.