Mesoamerican religious marriage rituals involve the participation of family members and community leaders who are responsible for ensuring that the union follows the traditional norms of their culture. The role of women is generally subordinate to men, although some cultures allow women to take multiple husbands or partners if they agree. Women's work includes domestic labor such as cooking, cleaning, taking care of children, and farming while men tend to be responsible for hunting, fishing, warfare, trade, and public affairs. These cultural norms influence how sexuality is used during marriage ceremonies.
The bride and groom typically have little choice in the matter when it comes to choosing each other because marriages were often arranged by families and communities.
Couples did have some say in whether they wanted to marry since divorce was also common. Marriage contracts often included clauses about dowry payments, which could include land, cattle, clothing, jewelry, tools, and other items. Divorces required the return of these items if a woman left her husband.
Married women had few rights under Mesoamerican law but were expected to remain faithful and provide for their husband's needs. Unfaithfulness was considered a serious crime and punishable by death. In Aztec society, for example, adultery could lead to decapitation or being burned at the stake, depending on the circumstances. Men were allowed to maintain additional relationships outside of marriage without repercussions unless they became pregnant by another man, which would result in execution. Polygamy was common among the elite, who could afford multiple wives and concubines, but monogamous marriages were more common among ordinary people.
Mesoamericans believed that sex was an important part of life and that it should only occur within marriage. The purpose of sex was to produce children and ensure the continuation of the family lineage. Husbands and wives were expected to be intimate with each other frequently, sometimes multiple times per day, and this behavior was encouraged through songs and dances performed during ceremonies. Sexuality was used as a way to reinforce gender roles and social hierarchies because it served as a reminder that men were superior to women and responsible for ensuring the survival of the community. The sexual act itself was seen as a symbolic representation of fertility and procreation, where the female partner represented Mother Earth and the male partner represented Father Sun.
Different cultures had different rules about when couples could become intimate with one another.
Some required brides and grooms to remain abstinent until after their wedding ceremony while others permitted them to consummate the union immediately. Once married, couples often shared a bedroom, although some cultures separated sleeping quarters based on gender. Adultery was frowned upon because it threatened the stability of families and communities. Some cultures also allowed same-sex relationships between two men or two women.
While there are many similarities across Mesoamerican culture in terms of marriage rituals and sexual norms, there is some variation depending on the specific region and time period.
Some cultures practiced polyandry (a woman having more than one husband) while others did not allow it. Similarly, some allowed divorce while others did not. These differences reflect how cultural values regarding gender, sex, and power vary over time and place.
In Mesoamerican religious marriage rituals, how is sexuality used to reinforce gender roles, ethical behavior, and social hierarchy?
While many Mesoamerican communities believed that the union of a man and woman was sacred, some saw it as a means to reinforce power structures and maintain social order. Marriage rituals were designed to create strong bonds between couples while also ensuring that men maintained their superior status over women.