Aztec civilization was advanced and sophisticated. Its rich and varied systems of belief embraced philosophy, mythology, and magic. Gold was used in the creation of objects and worn both as adornment on clothing and directly on the human body. It was believed to embody the power of the Sun, drawing that power to the person wearing it or to the object it was made of. Gold was not currency, either to the Aztec or Mayan cultures, but a material to be worshiped. Aztec art reflected a worldview centered on Nature. The Sun, Moon and stars, as well as animals, rivers, mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes were considered sacred. The poignancy of seeing what Aztec art remains, lies in the knowledge that so much of it was either destroyed or stolen by Western invaders who shipped it off to Europe to feed the greed of courtly nobility.