This weekend's blog has a little history as inspired by the stunning Aztec Sun stencil by A Colorful Life Designs. When seeing this beautiful image, I wanted to create something that would tell a story, a story about my ancestors.
Long before the Spanish ships reached the Caribbean, the Aztecs of Tenochtitlán spoke of a land where the sun met the sea in an eternal embrace. This land, they called "Coaybay," was known to the Taíno people of Borikén—now Puerto Rico—as the sacred resting place of souls.
It is said that an Aztec priest named Cuauhtécatl, guided by visions from the great god Huitzilopochtli, set sail with a group of warriors and scholars in search of this mystical land. Their journey across the Gulf of Mexico and through the Antilles was treacherous, but the winds carried them to an island where the mountains kissed the clouds and rivers sang to the ancestors.
The Taíno people of Borikén welcomed the travelers, recognizing in them a shared reverence for nature and the divine. Though their languages differed, they found unity in their stories—both spoke of a great serpent that shaped the land, of gods who walked among mortals, and of spirits who watched over the living.
Cuauhtécatl and his people settled among the Taíno, exchanging knowledge of astronomy, agriculture, and artistry. The Aztecs marveled at the Taíno's intricate batey games and their connection to Atabey, the mother goddess. In turn, the Taíno learned of Tlaloc, the rain god, and Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent. Together, they built ceremonial sites, blending their traditions into a harmonious dance of cultures.
When word of Spanish sails darkening the horizon reached Borikén, Cuauhtécatl and his descendants stood alongside their Taíno kin. Though the invaders brought weapons and disease, the spirit of both peoples lived on. Through hidden caves, whispered legends, and the bloodlines of those who survived, the legacy of the Aztecs and Taíno endured in Puerto Rico, woven into the very soul of the island.
To this day, echoes of their unity remain in the stories passed down by elders, in the resilience of the people, and in the rhythms of the island’s beating heart.
The beauty of this stencil stirred up the beauty of my ancestors stories. I used vibrant sun colors with Distress Inks and Distress Spritz Sprays. The Native American girl was from Cricut and the beautiful feather is by Unity Stamp Co.
Supplies:
Cricut Design Space - Native American Woman
Tim Holtz - Distress Inks: Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Crackling Campfire
I'm incredibly grateful to A Colorful Designs Life for the opportunity to work with their beautiful stencils that have been so inspiring. I hope you too have been inspired!
Next week will be my last post sharing this line of stencil, so please make sure to subscribe!
Happy Crafting
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