Introduction: Fertility, Intoxication, and Divine Cycles
Tochtli (pronounced TOHCH-tlee), meaning “Rabbit” in Nahuatl, is the eighth day in the 260-day sacred Aztec calendar, the Tonalpohualli. After the grace and instinct of Mazatl (Deer), Tochtli brings energy inward — tied to fertility, abundance, pleasure, and ritual intoxication. It is a glyph rich with cultural symbolism, deeply embedded in both agricultural and spiritual life.
Tochtli Day in the Aztec Calendar carries meanings of creation, overindulgence, and the divine cycles of life and rebirth.
Archetype and Meaning of Tochtli
In Aztec thought, the rabbit was associated with multiplication, fecundity, and the influence of alcohol — especially pulque, the fermented sap of the maguey plant. Rabbits were seen as prolific beings, often linked to the moon, fertility, and the unpredictable outcomes of indulgence.
The glyph for Tochtli typically depicts a side-profile rabbit head, with a long ear and alert eye. It appears throughout Mesoamerican iconography, often connected to themes of celebration, intoxication, and transformation.
Cipactli Tee
Honor the primal beginnings of the Tonalpohualli. Wear the Crocodile Day with pride.
Tochtli is a symbol of duality — it represents both life-giving potential and the chaos that can arise when limits are crossed. Within the Tonalpohualli, it adds complexity to the cycle: after motion, death, and instinct comes the surge of life, unpredictable and abundant.
Deity Association: Patecatl, Lord of Pulque and Healing
Tochtli is ruled by Patecatl, a deity associated with the discovery of pulque, healing, fertility, and herbal knowledge. He is one of the Centzon Totochtin — the 400 Rabbit Gods — each representing different aspects of intoxication, from joy to madness.
In the Codex Borgia, Patecatl is depicted as a powerful figure with a maguey plant, his symbolism intertwined with both medical knowledge and ceremonial drink. He is husband to Mayahuel, goddess of the maguey, and together they represent the union of plant spirit and sacred medicine.
Through Patecatl, Tochtli Day in the Aztec Calendar becomes more than a symbol of fertility — it is a day of sacred indulgence, the kind that must be respected, lest it lead to imbalance.
Tochtli in the Codices: Glyph of the Moon and Maguey
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Codex Borgia: The Tochtli glyph is drawn as a rabbit head with a distinct ear and rounded eye, often accompanied by lunar or pulque-related symbols.
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Codex Borbonicus: It appears in early tonalamatl charts, usually near maguey iconography or glyphs representing agricultural rites. The rabbit is shown with poise, sometimes seated or with alert posture.
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Codex Magliabechiano: A more simplified rabbit glyph appears among day signs, suggesting its widespread recognition and cultural relevance in both ritual and agricultural contexts.
In all representations, Tochtli remains a powerful symbol — linked to the moon, reproduction, sacred drink, and the mysteries of cyclical renewal.
Wear Tochtli: The Tonalli Tee
Celebrate the wild spirit of fertility and abundance with our Tochtli Tonalli Tee. This design honors the sacred rabbit of the Aztec calendar — a creature of mystery, medicine, and movement. Drawn from codex sources and brought to life in modern form.
🐇 Wear the Day. Become the Myth.
🔗 Shop the Tochtli Tonalli Tee
Each Tonalli Tee connects sacred time to modern expression — one glyph at a time.
Conclusion: Tochtli and the Sacred Pulse of Life
Tochtli is the rabbit that runs through time — a bringer of both growth and caution. It teaches us that abundance is sacred, but must be respected. As the eighth day in the Tonalpohualli, Tochtli invites us to reflect on our appetites, our creativity, and our connection to the cycles of nature and spirit.
At Aztec Night, we explore each glyph with care, preserving its meaning and inviting others to walk the calendar as more than history — as living design.
🗓️ Follow the rhythm. Honor the glyphs. Walk with Tochtli, and listen for the heartbeat beneath the soil.
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