Stellar symbolism holds profound significance in the cosmovision of both ancient and contemporary cultures. The Teenek of the Huasteca region conceive of celestial bodies as elements linked to mythology and, in some cases, to figures of major importance such as Dhipaak, the god of maize. Stars also guide practical activities such as agriculture; consequently, their stylized form remains a living repository of memory.
The Teenek star consists of eight points or rhombuses and appears embroidered on traditional garments in variants that incorporate birds, phytomorphic elements, and other geometric forms. The presence of this motif affirms the symbolism of certain textiles as cosmograms, since stars allude to the celestial plane, or ti eb. In the same cosmic sense, the star also marks the paths of the universe, making the act of weaving analogous to mapping the cosmos. Thus, the Teenek star, or “flower of the universe,” weaves together the paths leading to the north, south, east, and west, the same paths followed by winds, meteorological forces, and celestial bodies. At the center of the universe lie noon and midnight.
As among other peoples, cosmic paths are defined by colors and owners, forming axes that connect the universe. Within this sacred geometry, the east-west axis represents beginning and end, following the movement of the sun from the sea toward the world of the dead. The east is colored orange, evoking sunlight and yellow maize. The west is embroidered with green threads, a color that expresses death.
The north possesses a cold nature and is governed by the great thunder and the northern winds that bring rain. The authority of this numinous force is represented by red, a color of power also associated with maize. The south is pink and refers to the mother, below, and is associated with the womb of the solar mother who gave birth to the sun. This aqueous, amniotic quality corresponds to the “slimy water of the sea,” which is unsuitable for cultivation.
The flower of the universe is a complex figure that integrates sacred geometries (the cross, rhombus, and square) to preserve ancient knowledge about the world, the movement of time, and the alternance of different cycles. Thanks to this symbolic power, the star functions as a form of Indigenous wisdom that plays an active role in the defense of Teenek territories.