In Mexica diplomacy, the flowers and smokes of peace were important symbolic exchanges that took place during diplomatic negotiations. The flowers, called xochitl in Nahuatl, were presented to the envoys as a sign of welcome and respect, and the smokes, called yetl in Nahuatl, were the tobacco that was smoked during the negotiations. The exchange of flowers and smokes shaped the diplomatic protocol, and it was a sign of the peaceful intentions of the parties.
The Flowers
The flowers presented in Mexica diplomacy were typically the most beautiful and most fragrant flowers available, and they were a sign of the welcome and the respect that was being extended to the envoys. The most common flowers were the dahlia, the marigold, the sunflower, and the tuberose, all of which were cultivated in the chinampas around Tenochtitlan.
The flowers were typically presented in special vessels, and they were accompanied by prayers to the gods of the flowers. The Mexica believed that the flowers were a manifestation of the divine force, and the offering of the flowers was a way of honoring the gods and of being honored by them. The Mexica also believed that the flowers had a calming effect on the negotiations, and they were used to create a peaceful atmosphere.
The Smokes
The smokes in Mexica diplomacy were the tobacco that was smoked during the negotiations, and they were a key part of the diplomatic ritual. The Mexica had a sophisticated system for the smoking of tobacco, and the smokes were typically presented in special pipes that were decorated with the insignia of the parties.
The Mexica believed that the tobacco had a sacred quality, and the smoking of the tobacco was a way of communicating with the gods. The Mexica also believed that the tobacco had a calming effect, and it was used to create a peaceful atmosphere during the negotiations. The smoking of the tobacco was typically accompanied by the exchange of stories, of songs, and of prayers.
The Symbolism of the Exchanges
The exchanges of flowers and smokes were rich in symbolism, and they reflected the Mexica understanding of the diplomatic process. The flowers were a sign of welcome and respect, and the smokes were a sign of peaceful intentions. The exchange of the flowers and the smokes was a way of establishing a personal connection between the parties, and it was a sign that the negotiations were being conducted in good faith.
The Mexica believed that the diplomatic process was a sacred act, and the exchange of the flowers and the smokes was a way of involving the gods in the negotiations. The Mexica believed that the gods would bless the negotiations if they were conducted properly, and the exchange of the flowers and the smokes was a way of ensuring the divine favor.
The Survival of the Tradition
The tradition of the flowers and smokes of peace has survived in the modern Mexican culture, and it is reflected in a number of contemporary practices. The use of flowers in religious ceremonies, the giving of flowers as gifts, and the smoking of tobacco in social settings are all elements of the Mexica tradition that have survived in modified form in Mexican culture.
The tradition has also been adopted by the Mexican government, and the exchange of flowers and tobacco is a part of the diplomatic protocol of the modern Mexican state. The tradition has been particularly important in the relations between the Mexican government and the indigenous communities, and it has been used to establish a personal connection between the parties.
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