Un Eclipse en Doble (Un Eh-Cleeps En Doh-Bleh)
A double eclipse.
This painting features the amaranth plant in the foreground. The amaranth (or amaranto) plant was a staple for the Aztec’s main diet along with corn, beans, and squash. It was also used in in rituals including human sacrifice. It was used to mixed with blood to make small figurines for various ceremonies.
When the Spanish arrived to the Aztec capital, Tenotchtitlan, they were intent on imposing Catholicism on the indigenous population. Horrified by Aztec rituals, they outlawed all amaranth for both consumption and religious purposes.
The fields of amaranth were burned in an attempt to erase the memory of its ritualistic relevance.
However because of the importance of the amaranth, Aztecs continued to cultivate it in secret. The Amaranth plant was grown in secrecy for many generations, surviving the Spaniard’s banishment.
Like many of the botanicals in my paintings, the Amaranth is a symbol of isolation and resilience.
The double eclipse would have been a prophetic sign for the migration Mexica. It would have been a sign of which way to go on their search for their future homeland.