Omens and Prenatal Care: Understanding the Care of Pregnant Women, Newborns, and Gender Roles through Omens in the Florentine Codex

Abstract

The Florentine Codex is one of many codices originating from Mexico. This codex in particular details the different cultural aspects surrounding the Nahua of the Aztec Empire. These range from the historic documentation of their kings and lords to botanical knowledge and omens. Omen in particular reflect their understanding of the surrounding natural phenomena and interpreting them. This also includes practices surrounding pregnancy, childbirth, and expectations surrounding both mothers and their children. By analyzing these omens surrounding pregnancy and childbirth, it can be drawn that the Nahua developed their own cultural framework on how pregnant women and newborns should be cared for; not only that, but it would have also been used to reinforce gender roles based on the expectations surrounded childbirth and interactions with pregnant women.