Aztec Warrior Societies

Commoners who excel in warfare are promoted to the noble class and can enter some of the warrior societies (at least the Eagles and Jaguars). Sons of nobles trained at the Calmecac however were expected to enter into one of the societies as they progressed through the ranks. Warriors could shift from one society and into another when they became proficient, each society has different styles of fashion and equipment as well as styles of body paint and jewelry.

Eagle and Jaguar warriors
The largest warrior society was the Eagles (quauhtin) and the Jaguars (ocelomeh) . They dressed as the animal they took their name from, some wearing pelts of large felines and others dressed in eagle feathers. Many of these warriors are depicted as statues. The Headquarter of the Eagles and Jaguars was the Quauhcalli "the Eagle House" located in the ceremonial precinct in Tenochtitlan.

The Otomies
The Otomies (Otontin)were another warrior society who took their name after the Otomi people who were known for their fierce fighting. In the historical sources it is often difficult to figure out whether the word otomitl "Otomi" refers to members of the Aztec warrior society, or members of an ethnic group who also often joined the Aztec armies as mercenaries or allies.

The Shorn Ones
The "Shorn Ones" (Cuachicqueh) was the warrior society with the biggest reputation - their heads were shaved apart from a long braid over the left ear. Their bald heads and faces were painted one half blue and another half red or yellow. They had sworn not to take a step backwards during a battle on pain of death at the hands of their comrades.