According to Aztec legend, what did King Tenoch see that guided the location of Tenochtitlan?

The choice regarding the eagle on a cactus relates to a foundational legend of the Aztec civilization. According to Aztec mythology, King Tenoch and his people were guided by a vision from Huitzilopochtli, the god of war and patron of the Mexica (the Aztec people). They witnessed an eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus, devouring a snake. This vision was interpreted as a divine sign indicating the ideal location for establishing their new city.

This sighting led Tenoch and the Mexica to build Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco, which eventually became the dominant metropolis of the Aztec Empire. The imagery of the eagle and cactus has profound significance and is still a powerful symbol in Mexican culture today, featured prominently in the national emblem.

In contrast, the other options do not hold significance within Aztec mythology related to the founding of Tenochtitlan. They either involve incorrect animals or actions that do not correspond with the traditional legend. The uniqueness and symbolism of the eagle on the cactus is what makes this answer not only correct but also historically and culturally relevant to understanding Aztec identity and the establishment of their capital.