Gac Med Mex. 1999 Nov-Dec; 135(6): 641-51.

[The heart and blood in the Mexican cosmos vision]

Barrera-RamÃrez CF, Guerrero-OrduÃ±a EA.

The heart and blood have inspired the interest of many cultures'. Even before the heart became a subject of scientific study it was considered as a host to deities and feelings. Prehispanic peoples who inhabited Mesoamerica were not the exception. The heart and blood became the core of the life force and the link to a religious doctrine. It is very clear that these people knew the anatomy of the heart for their human sacrifices to their gods, to maintain the steady course of the planets through out the universe, which consisted of skillfully removing this vital organ as well as the blood for their offerings. Works of art such as paintings, sculptures, carvings, ceramics and even poetry portray the importance of the heart and blood in culture and religion. The aim of this review is to study from the historical and medical point of view, the heart and blood, and their importance to the early Mexicans, to enable them to face and understand the world around them.