 According to Aztec belief, “these relics had magical power and, if placed on their shields, would make the warriors brave and valiant, give them strength, and blind the eyes of their enemies.”

"Cihuateteo" can be characterized as “fearsome figures with clenched, claw-like fists, macabre, bared teeth and gums and aggressive poses.” Sitting with their clawed feet tucked beneath their skirts, they seem at once in repose and ready to attack.In Aztec art, the postpartum female body is often depicted with pendulous breasts and stomach folds.Within the Aztec artistic tradition, "cihuateteo" are commonly depicted with taut stomachs, exposed breasts, and prominent nipples.