Revised May 1, 2002
Copyright 1997, 2001 by John W. Allen
TEONANACATL:
Ancient Shamanic Mushroom Names
of
Mesoamerica
and
Other Regions of the World
Page 4
TABLE I
The following table represents epithets of both ancient
and contemporary names and/or terms of endearment for two dozen species
of entheogenic mushrooms used ceremoniously in Mesoamerica.
Additionally, ancient and contemporary epithets for entheogenic mushrooms
used traditionally as well as recreationally in both Western and Eastern
Civilization are presented in the discussion which follows after Table
I. |
1. Psilocybe acutissima Heim. = (Psilocybe yungensis).
Known in Spanish as: hongo adormece (soporific mushroom). |
2. Psilocybe aztecorum Heim. (Fig. 2-3).
Known in Spanish as:
niñitos.
niño (boys).
dormilon (sleepy head).
niños del agua (children of the water).
Known in Nahuatl as:
"apipilzin".
teonanácatl (not in modern times).
teu-nanácatl
tejuinti (intoxicating) (not in modern times).
teyhuinti nanácatl (intoxicating mushroom)(not in modern times).
Psilocybe aztecorum is sold to tourists by Mexicans and is known only
from the volcanic slopes of Mt. Popocatepetl. |
Fig. 2. Psilocybe aztecorum Heim emend.
Photo: Gastón Guzmán
Fig 3. Psilocybe aztecorum R. Heim emend Guzmán var. aztecorum.
Photo: Gastón Guzmán
3. Psilocybe caerulescens Murr. (Fig. 4).
Known in Mazatec as:
di-shi-tjo-ki-sho (sacred mushroom of landslides).
di-ki-sho (the dear little things that leap forth).
derrumbe (Spanish), (landslide).
derrumbe de agua (Spanish) (landslide in the water).
derrumbito. (Spanish).
di-ki-sho (or 'nti xi tho = the dear little things that leap forth).
nti-xi-tjo-qui-xo (little thing that comes out of the earth of a landslide).
nti-si-tho-kiso.
Known in Mazatepec as:
di-shi-thó-ki-shó.
Known in Mixe as:
kang.
ko:ng (lord governor).
Known in Chatino as:
cui-ya-jo-o-su (sacred mushroom of great power [in Oaxaca]).
Known in Zapotec as:
razón bei (mushroom of reason).
razón mbey (mushroom of reasoning).
Known in Spanish as:
cañadas (ravinens).
Known in Nahuatl as:
teoteaquilnanácatl (divine mushrooms that describe or paint).
Psilocybe caerulescens and its many variations fruit on sugar cane mulch
and along landslide areas. |
 <> |
Fig. 4. Psilocybe caerulescens var. caerulescens Murr.
Photo: Gastón Guzmán
Next Page
Back To Articles Index
Back To Main Index
