Aztec Clothing

What clothing items distinguished the Priests from the Royal Family?

 

 

• The sleeveless jacket or waistcoat referred to as a xicolli was the main differentiating feature in clothing between a Priest and a royal.

• Priests also usually carried with them an incense burner, incense and tobacco, three items that were not commonly seen or associated with a Royal.

• The royals wore a tilma adorned with beautiful and intricate decorations and embroidery or fringes. The tilma was tied at the front instead of it being tied at the right shoulder like the commoner.

• Priests had more responsibilities than the nobles and royals such as writing codices, making offerings and sacrifices and many more. Due to all their duties, Priests generally more functional clothing rather than the flamboyant attire of the Royals and Nobles.

• The Upper class enjoyed the elaborate and finely decorated whereas the general outfit of the priest was fairly basic excluding when they dressed up for ceremonies or rituals.