Meet The Characters
Ahuizotl.
This man is holding an Ahuizotl. Although cute at first glance, this aquatic creature from Aztec mythology would drown its victims, grabbing them with the human-like hand at the end of its tail. Its victims were redeemed by immediately ascending to heaven.
Bailarines.
These mythical dancers love to move and lounge around the sacred fire. Their rituals include dances and songs passed down through generations, accompanied by a ceremonial pipe. They fast from food and water before participating in the dance and, in some cases, certain plants are picked and prepared for use during the ceremony. This usually involves the community gathering together to pray for healing. Their garments are inspired by pre-Hispanic ceramic figurines.
Bruja de Vapor.
This is the ATL-TLACHINOLI Witch. She’s responsible for uniting water and fire (water = drink / fire = food), creating the ATLA potion, the spirit of company and what we feel.
In this illustration something is happening: two opposing elements, fire and water combined, turning into vapor / spirit / ATLA.
La Jicara y el Coco.
This man is drinking a beverage out of a jícara. These small containers are typically made from the fruit of the calabash tree. He appears unfazed by the baby crocodile who wants a sip of the drink. What’s he having?
Elote Dawg.
This little guy is inspired by xoloitzcuintles. The name comes from the god Xólotl, which in Mexica and Tolteca mythology is the god of sunset, spirits, twins, Venus evening, and helped the spirits travel to Mictlán, the underworld in Aztec mythology.
Also, itzcuīntli means dog in Nahuatl. He’s quite chill, he lives in the city, still goes to school, and loves elotes asados from the street food vendor. He always has it “con todo”: mayo, chili, lime, sour cream, sprinkled cheese and a pinch of salt...
They’re so good.
Muxe.
In the Zapotec culture, a Muxe is a person who is assigned male at birth, but who dresses in a way that is associated with women; they may be seen as a third gender. They are well respected and hold an important role in society.
This Muxe is from Juchitán, a town often described as a matriarchy: women run the local markets, dominate the economy, and are the heads of their household. She is admired and respected for her embroidery and craft making skills.
Hija del Pescador.
This girl is very particular: she’s always playing around with a fish. She lives in the Caribbean coast, her dad is a fisherman. She’s obsessed with the story about her Dad and his crew seeing a mermaid while fishing in the deep sea. Although her whole Miskito town doesn’t believe her, she knows her Dad would never lie.
Picadita.
This old woman watches her grand-daughter eat a picada, a thick, soft-fried tortilla with pinched sides, topped with refried beans, chopped onion and crumbled cheese. She’s from Tierra Caliente, Guerrero. She makes other typical dishes, but this is her favorite.
Tehuana.
This creature is a trickster, that alternates between the form of a woman and a coyote. This figure uses humor to rebel against social conventions. The coyote is wearing a traditional Tehuana dress, from the Istmo de Tehuantepec in Oaxaca. Since the early XX century, tehuanas have been admired as a symbol of female strength and autonomy.
They’re hard-working, independent women who, in the regional parties, dance with other women to let the town know they don’t depend on men. That’s why Frida Kahlo and other celebrities have been inspired by them.