The Aztecs believed that the maintenance of cosmic balance was necessary for the continuation of life and the universe itself. The gods ruled both the natural and the supernatural world. Therefore, the Aztecs not only paid the utmost attention to astronomical cycles, but also intensively observed the plant and animal world. The snake is one of the most frequently sculpted animals. This specimen is particularly noteworthy because the snakes are usually compact in form and only very rarely is the snake's body twisted and open-worked in this way. (M.Gaida 2003)