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Tecuciztecatl
made four attempts to jump into the fire, but was gripped by
fear and failed. When it was finally Nanahuatzin's turn, the
least glorious of all the gods, his resolve did not waver. He
leapt headlong into the flames and was instantly immolated.
Shamed by Nanahuatzin's bravery, Tecuciztecatl followed. After
the pyre burned out, and darkness still ruled, the gods worried
that the sacrifice did not work. But then the sky brightened and
a blinding ball of light rose in the east. This was Nanahuatzin
reborn as the new Sun, with a new name: Tonatiuh.
The gods
rejoiced, but Tonatiuh refused to move. He demanded the blood
and hearts of his fellow deities before he would budge. One by
one the gods sacrificed themselves to feed the newborn sun until
he was strong enough to traverse the sky. Thus the only
sustainable nourishment for the Sun was found, and to ensure
that the Sun stays in motion, humans must follow the gods'
example. The Fifth Sun survives to this day on the blood of
war-torn humanity.
There are
many similarities between this ancient story and the plot of
Sunshine, but some are more apparent by reading Alex Garland's
script. |