Cocijo is a lightning deity of the pre-Columbian Zapotec civilization of southern Mexico. He has attributes characteristic of similar Mesoamerican deities associated with rain, thunder and lightning, such as Tlaloc of central Mexico, and Chaac of the Maya civilization. In the Zapotec language, the word cocijo means "lightning", as well as referring to the deity.
An Early Classic representation of Cocijo found at Monte Albán and now in the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City.
Urn representing Cocijo held at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
The Zapotec civilization was an indigenous pre-Columbian civilization that flourished in the Valley of Oaxaca in Mesoamerica. Archaeological evidence shows that their culture originated at least 2,500 years ago. The Zapotec archaeological site at the ancient city of Monte Albán has monumental buildings, ball courts, magnificent tombs and grave goods, including finely worked gold jewelry. Monte Albán was one of the first major cities in Mesoamerica. It was the center of a Zapotec state that dominated much of the territory which today is known as the Mexican state of Oaxaca.
Palace of Columns, Mitla, Oaxaca
A funerary urn in the shape of a "bat god", or perhaps a jaguar, from Oaxaca, dated to AD 300–650. Height: 9.5 in (23 cm).
Contemporary Zapotec people.
Looking over the site of Monte Albán. Situated on a mountaintop, Monte Albán overlooks much of the Valley of Oaxaca.
