From ancient snake gods to Spanish legends, heres everything you need to know about the most famous god of the Aztecs! [44], Quetzalcoatl was fictionalized in the 1982 film Q as a monster that terrorizes New York City. Quetzalcoatl wears around his neck the breastplate ehcaczcatl, "the spirally voluted wind jewel". Quetzalcoatl was a jack of many trades, a truth also reflected in the stories surrounding his birth. Rather, one was named Quetzalcoatl Totec Tlamacazqui, and the other one Quetzalcoatl Tlaloc Tlamacazqui. His form of reincarnation, more specifically, would be that of a white person with a long beard. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) On the basis of the different symbolic systems used in portrayals of the feathered-serpent deity in different cultures and periods, scholars have interpreted the religious and symbolic meaning of the feathered-serpent deity in Mesoamerican cultures. [9] In Mazatec legends the astrologer deity Tlahuizcalpanteuctli, who is also represented by Venus, bears a close relationship with Quetzalcoatl. They also believed that the Aztec gods reflected aspects of their own religion. Auh yn jquac molhuja eheca, mjtoa: teuhtli quaqualaca, ycoioca, tetecujca, tlatlaiooa, tlatlapitza, tlatlatzinj, motlatlaueltia. It has been suggested that these stories recall the spread of the feathered-serpent cult in the epi-classic and early post-classic periods.[12]. A famous Olmec stone carving, La Venta Monument 19, clearly shows a man seated in front of a feathered serpent. They therefore claimed that Quetzalcoatl was the Aztec name for Thomas the Apostle and that the naive natives believed that he, like Christ, would one day return to finish converting them to Christianity. The legend of Quetzalcoatl is spoofed in the Adult Swim CGI series Xavier: Renegade Angel. Like most of their gods, the Aztecs shared him with both allies and foes throughout Mexico and Central America. His earrings are made of either jade or spiraling shells. By adding a bit of his own blood, he allowed a new civilization to emerge. Quetzalcoatlhe was the wind, the guide and road sweeper of the rain gods, of the masters of the water, of those who brought rain. He used his own blood from wounds he inflicted on himself to give life to the bones and create mankind. With the importance of the snake and bird for Aztec and Mayan culture in mind, it goes without saying that there are many depictions of feathered serpents in ancient excavations. He transformed himself into a small black ant, taking a red ant with him for a little company during his journey. Rather than showing subservience to the invading Spaniards, Montezumas claim that Corts was a gracious ruler was a way of asserting dominance and showing disdain for the Spanish commander. The date 9 Wind is known to be associated with fertility, Venus and war among the Maya and frequently occurs in relation to Quetzalcoatl in other Mesoamerican cultures. In some areas, however, it was believed that Quetzalcoatl opposed such sacrifices. A Walking Tour of the Maya Capital of Chichn Itz, The Chac Mool Sculptures of Ancient Mexico, Influence of the Olmec Civilization on Mesoamerica. He also had anthropomorphic forms, for example in his aspects as Ehecatl the wind god. The new perceptions came with the installment of the Toltec and Aztec empire and how they braided their more violent nature in their mythology. By Quetzalcoatl was a god for many ancient . [citation needed], In the Codex Chimalpopoca, it is said Quetzalcoatl was coerced by Tezcatlipoca into becoming drunk on pulque, cavorting with his older sister, Quetzalpetlatl, a celibate priestess, and neglecting their religious duties. Over the West presides the White Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl, the god of light, justice, mercy and wind. 2. In an example from Yaxchilan, the Vision Serpent has the human face of the young maize-god, further suggesting a connection to fertility and vegetational renewal; the Maya Young Maize god was also connected to Venus. There are three different ways you can cite this article. In some traditions, he was considered to be the creator of mankind. This, it is believed, explains why he was looking inwards to the city. READ MORE: Water Gods and Sea Gods From Around the World. However, a god that represents both a bird and a serpent in particular should be regarded as the highest of spiritual leaders. Montezuma king of the aztecs during the era had even confirmed that Cortes was Quetzalcoatl or a reincarnation of their deity. [25] Quetzalcoatl was often considered the god of the morning star, and his twin brother Xolotl was the evening star (Venus). Minster, Christopher. The city of Cholula, in particular, was known for the importance it laid on the deity of the feathered serpent. Here, our plumed serpent gathered the bones of all the previous races that walked the earth. After only a couple of years, the Aztec empire ended due to a combination of foreign diseases and diplomacy. What did Quetzalcoatl teach? Quetzalcoatl was also linked with Aztec priesthood and one of the two high priests in the famous Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan assumed the title of Quetzalcoatl. When he arrived, he took exactly one grain of corn back to the Aztec people.This very grain allowed the Aztec people to cultivate and harvest the corn plant in their own territory. In fact, he wanted to tempt him to come out into the light. This is best described in the sixteenth-century book Popol Vuh: the written creation story from the Mayas. Mesoamerican priests and kings would sometimes take the name of a deity they were associated with, so Quetzalcoatl and Kukulcan are also the names of historical persons. In Aztec culture, this was considered to be one of the most important primal forces. [19] The most important center was Cholula, where the world's largest pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship. Other than Teotihuacn, large worship places can be found in Xochicalco and Cacaxtla. To both Teotihuacan and Maya cultures, Venus was in turn also symbolically connected with warfare.[21]. To link to this article in the text of an online publication, please use this URL: https://historycooperative.org/quetzalcoatl/. Two other gods represented by the planet Venus are Tlaloc (ally and the god of rain) and Xolotl (psychopomp and its twin). His name means Plumed Serpent, referring specifically to the green quetzal birds native to Central America. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. In the post-classic Nahua civilization of central Mexico (Aztec), the worship of Quetzalcoatl was ubiquitous. Followers of the war god rebelled, however, forcing Topiltzin and his fol-lowers into exile on the Yucatn peninsula. Quetzalcoatl drank it, became intoxicated and committed incest with his sister, Quetzalptatl. Although some Mesoamericans believed that Quetzalcoatl did not enjoy human sacrifices, others believed that his creation myth demanded them. On the basis of the Teotihuacan iconographical depictions of the feathered serpent, archaeologist Karl Taube has argued that the feathered serpent was a symbol of fertility and of internal political structures - contrasting with the War Serpent symbolizing the outwards military expansion of the Teotihuacan empire. Others said that he had invented the calendar and books. Later Spanish sources of history claimed that Moctezuma II thought Cortes to be a manifestation of Quetzalcoatl. Today he is known best as Quetzalcoatl, the name he was worshipped by in the Aztec culture. He was quite a bit bigger than he was before. Mesoamerican deities often functioned in duality. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. In the underworld, Quetzalcoatl went all the way to Mictln; the lowest region of the Aztec underworld. The first keeper of written records, he was patron of the Calmecac, a school for noble children who learned to paint histories and astrology, as well as practice the art of war. Quetzalcoatlhe was the wind, the guide and road sweeper of the rain gods, of the masters of the water, of those who brought rain. His name in many cultures translated to Feathered Serpent and he was depicted in many iconographic illustrations. This constitutes the Late Pre-Classic Period of the Mayan civilization. Before he left, however, he promised to return. . Because of this, the latest reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl would come to earth to do exactly that. Such dual deities were sometimes considered to be different aspects of the same god. The worship of Quetzalcoatl became widespread with the rise of the Toltec civilization around 900 A.D. and spread throughout the region, even down to the Yucatan peninsula where it caught on with the Maya. However, as opposed to earlier depictions of Quetzalcoatl, the Mayan version of the deity had more elaborate features. This talisman was a conch shell cut at the cross-section and was likely worn as a necklace by religious rulers, as such objects have been discovered in burials in archaeological sites throughout Mesoamerica,[6] and potentially symbolized patterns witnessed in hurricanes, dust devils, seashells, and whirlpools, which were elemental forces that had significance in Aztec mythology. Different versions of the birth of god are prevalent in Mesoamerican mythology. Quetzalcoatl was associated with the wind-god Ehecatl and is often depicted with his insignia: a beak-like mask. Profile [] Identity []. READ MORE: Sun Gods: Ancient Solar Deities From Around the World. Hernan Cortes, who led the Spaniards, was first invited into the city by Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II. Franciscans such as Toribio de Benavente "Motolinia" saw elements of Christianity in the pre-Columbian religions and therefore believed that Mesoamerica had been evangelized before, possibly by Thomas the Apostle, who, according to legend, had "gone to preach beyond the Ganges". Quetzalcoatl stands out from the Mesoamerican pantheon as being relatively less bloodthirsty than others like Huitzilopochtli or Tezcatlipoca, making him as good a candidate as any for Jesus visiting the New World. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. His body is usually black, a color that represents the north in Aztec art. He was so important that the worlds largest pyramid was just one of many places dedicated to his cult. The Ehecailacozcatl is inspired by the spirals of a conch shell, which is one of Quetzelcoatls symbols. Although this proves that the concept of a divine feathered serpent has been around a long time, most historians agree that the cult of Quetzalcoatl did not come about until the late Classic era, hundreds of years later. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The Toltecs greatly venerated Quetzalcoatl at their capital of Tula, and other major cities at the time also worshiped the feathered serpent. As a wind god, he was also responsible for making the rain fall. This article is about a Mesoamerican deity. Over time, Quetzalcoatl's appearance, clothing, malevolent nature, and status among the gods were reshaped to fit a more Christian framework. In the iconography of the classic period, Maya serpent imagery is also prevalent: a snake often appears as the embodiment of the sky itself, and a vision serpent is a shamanic helper presenting Maya kings with visions of the underworld. Similarly, various other birth stories are also associated with Quetzalcoatl. This is evident in the iconography recovered from these sites. Quetzalcoatl stole the bones from the Underworld, taking great risks and evading many traps to bring them to the surface. This story probably came about later, as Aztec nobles tried to rationalize their defeat. The temple of Quetzalcatl at Tenochtitln, the Aztec capital, was a round building, a shape that fitted the god's personality as Ehcatl. The south is represented by Huitzilopochtli who is the Blue Tezcatlipoca and the god of war. Christopher Minster, Ph.D., is a professor at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador. The famous Pyramid of the Niches at El Tajin is believed by many to be dedicated to Quetzalcoatl, and the many ball courts there also suggest that his cult was important. Getting the snake out of the cave had been Tlalocs only objective for months on end. The east is represented by Xipe Totec who is the Red Tezcatlipoca and the god of gold and farming. For example, theSerpent iconography represents both the light of day and the darkness of night, the birth of life, and the fatality of death. Historians debate to what degree, or whether at all, these narratives about this legendary Toltec ruler describe historical events. Quetzalcoatl was also associated with Venus, the Morning Star, and thus the dawn. It is believed by the Aztec religion expert that the deity arose from the combination of the historical leader, Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl, and a Mesoamerican god. Why is that? Welcome. The major worship of this god as Quetzalcoatl began in 700 . Quetzalcoatl became, in fact, the very title of the most important priests: the twin Aztec High Priests. What is often called the Aztec Empire was a confederation of three city-states, established in the 14th and 15th centuries. Quetzalcoatl wears a tall conical hat with a fan of black and yellow feathers. Quetzalcoatls twin, Xolotl, was a god associated with death. These sources further claimed that it was because of this superstition that Moctezuma II invited Cortes as a guest and didnt harm him or his soldiers. He was worshiped among all the major cultures of the Mesoamerican region through history. Whether Quetzalcoatl would return was out of the question. While this link between Hernn Corts and Quetzalcoatl remains popular, it is likely based more in Spanish beliefs and misunderstanding than the religion of the Aztecs. According to stories, Aztec people only ate animals or roots until Quetzalcoatl arrived. The gods powers extended beyond the wind, however. Human worship. In fact, the people of Mexico had killed several Spaniards in battle and had captured and sacrificed others, so they knew they were men, not gods. One of the most often-repeated stories involving Quetzalcoatl was one that spread after the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in Mexico. Each age of the world was given a new sun, and the world was on its Fifth Sun, having been destroyed four times previously. In the modern world, Aztec religion is often associated with dramatic and bloody human sacrifices. There was one way that would certainly work, namely by letting it rain so abundantly that the snake simply drifted out of the cave. Throughout Mesoamerican culture, they practiced human sacrifice and ritual cannibalism to placate this god. It shows the first signs of a feathered serpent cult amongst ancient civilizations of the region. The eclipse that was caused by the birth of Quetzalcoatl is believed to be the fifth eclipse to ever happen. 1. It starts with Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain. In sculptures adorning temples throughout ancient Mexico, he generally appeared as a plumed serpent, although sometimes he had human features as well. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Gods of Death [10], The earliest known documentation of the worship of a Feathered Serpent occurs in Teotihuacan in the first century BC or first century AD. [5] It was one of several important gods in the Aztec pantheon, along with the gods Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli. In Xochicalco, depictions of the feathered serpent accompany the image of a seated, armed ruler and the hieroglyph for the day sign 9 Wind. Quetzalcoatl was not only one of the most important deities in pre-Columbian Mexico, he was also one of the oldest. As shown by his spiral jewel, Quetzalcoatl was a god of wind. Corts himself claimed in a letter that the gullibility of the Aztec people helped him to conquer them. and they were greatly influential on all subsequent ones. Its more likely that Montezuma saw the Spanish not as enemies but as possible allies in his ongoing campaign to enlarge his empire. Some said that before this he had helped to create the world itself. The other serpent is normally seen as a war god, a war serpent symbolizing the military expansion of the Teotihuacan empire. His representation of heaven and hell is also interpreted in different realms. Quetzalcoatl occupied a unique position in the Aztec pantheon and was considered one of the most important gods. This idea of return stemmed from a supposed speech given by Montezuma, the Aztec ruler, to Corts when the Spanish arrived at Tenochtitlan. Quetzalcoatl's opposite was Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile. Indeed, it turned out that this was the only viable option since the snake wasnt planning on moving for other reasons. Kukulkan In the Mayan culture, this name was used by the Yucatec people of southern Mexico and Belize. However, this legend likely has a foundation in events that took place immediately prior to the arrival of the Spaniards. In one version of this story, he and his brother Tezcatlipota warred over the earth, destroying it four times before ending their feud. The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in other traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice. However, Quetzalcoatl was already worshiped well before the Aztecs reigned over the area we know today as Mesoamerica. Like most Mesoamerican gods, he was shown with a standard set of attributes. However, later sources uncover that already a year before him a similar figure dwelled in the lands of the Aztec territory. This, too, can be seen in the birth of Quetzalcoatl. [41] However, in 1892 one president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, John Taylor, wrote:[42]. Don't fly too close to the sun or sit under her rays unprotected for too long. In another legend, still told in Mexico, Quetzalcoatl was feeling ill. His brother Tezcatlipoca, who wanted to be rid of Quetzalcoatl, came up with a clever plan. Quetzalcoatl played many roles in ancient Aztec mythology, so its difficult to pin down just one. Quetzalcoatl has been worshiped by all the major Mesoamerican cultures including the Mayans and the Aztecs. The Aztecs werent a big fan of chronological order and shook up the world of the gods. Of these, Quetzalcoatl was the Sun in the second cycle. Ehecatl In some Aztec areas, such as Tenochtitlan, this was another wind god with nearly identical iconography to Quetzalcoatl. [11] That period lies within the Late Preclassic to Early Classic period (400 BC 600 AD) of Mesoamerican chronology; veneration of the figure appears to have spread throughout Mesoamerica by the Late Classic period (600900AD). Standing over ten feet tall, the statue towers over onlookers as she leans toward them. There, they greatly influenced late Mayan culture. While other gods had relied on brute force for reaching the other side, Quetzalcoatl relied on intelligence in order to reach the maize. But also, his role and what he represented changed during every installment of his being.Divine messengers would talk with the god, asking for assistance in reaching the other side of the mountain: the location of the corn. Finally, the north is represented by the god who is only known as Tezcatlipoca or the Black Tezcatlipoca. Each of these four sons presides over one of the four cardinal directions. Historian Matthew Restall concludes that: The legend of the returning lords, originated during the Spanish-Mexica war in Corts' reworking of Moctezuma's welcome speech, had by the 1550s merged with the Corts-as-Quetzalcoatl legend that the Franciscans had started spreading in the 1530s. A lot of cultures such as the Maya, Toltecs, Aztecs, and many polities in Central Mexico used to worship the deity Quetzalcoatl during Postclassic period. The widespread worship of Quetzalcoatl may have even played a factor in the belief that the natives of Mexico identified him with the Spanish conquistador Hernn Corts. Since the sixteenth century, it has been widely held that the Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II initially believed the landing of Hernn Corts in 1519 to be Quetzalcoatl's return. Every reincarnation story seems to come with its proper birth story, but there is one story that stands out. However, at the end of the second cycle, mankind became like monkeys and so Quetzalcoatl blew up the whole of mankind. Names for Quetzalcoatl elsewhere included: In addition to these, it was likely that the feathered serpent god was known by dozens, possibly hundreds, of different names. Or rather, arrived again. While not usually feathered, classic Maya serpent iconography seems[original research?] After months of rain, the snake was forced to come out of the cave. In his form as Ehecatl he is the wind, and is represented by spider monkeys, ducks, and the wind itself. All good eclipses must come to an end, and this happened when the snake evolved into a Feathered Serpent and flew out of the sun again. For more details, Wikipedia is a good resource. Although probably not exactly a depiction of the same feathered-serpent deity worshipped in classic and post-classic periods, it shows the continuity of symbolism of feathered snakes in Mesoamerica from the formative period and on, for example in comparison to the Maya Vision Serpent shown below. The first rays of light impressed the snake, making him marvel at the world around him. Often he is also represented as spider monkeys, ducks, and other animals or beings of nature. Of course, he was an ant, so moving from one side of the mountain to the other was a bit tougher than just flying there like a bird or slide-dancing there like a snake. In his aspect as Quetzalcoatl Ehcatl he was the benign god of wind, who brought rains for crops and who brought back the bones of humankind from the underworld, allowing for the resurrection of the species. He headed east, eventually settling in Chichen Itza. [22] A third story narrates that Chimalman was hit in the womb by an arrow shot by Mixcoatl and nine months later she gave birth to a child which was called Quetzalcoatl. Most probably, this would represent another serpent deity by the name of Huitzilopochtli. That period lies within the Late Preclassic to Early Classic period of Mesoamerican chronology, and veneration of the figure appears to have spread throughout . Along with one of his brothers, he was instructed by his parents to create the world six hundred years after his birth. 9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl. Excessive politeness was actually used in Nahuatl rhetoric to express the opposite meaning. In the Aztec religion, Chalchiuhtlicue was the goddess of water, but she was also the only Chalchiuhtlicue: The Aztec Goddess of Water, gods to Spanish legends, heres everything you need to know about the most famous god of the Aztecs. What a conundrum. The language is spoken today in the highlands of central Guatemala. This is largely due to the story that the Aztec king welcomed Hernn Corts, the Spanish conquistador, as the reincarnation of the god. At the end of the fourth cycle, when mankind had perished again according to the mythology, Quetzalcoatl created a new people with his blood. Aztec God Quetzalcoatl According to one myth, Quetzalcoatl was born to a virgin called Chimalman to whom god Onteol appeared in a dream. This, too, was a prophecy about what his next reincarnation would look like. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The God Quetzalcoatl definitely has a link of some sort to this hero. If your web page requires an HTML link, please insert this code: . The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in other traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice.Mesoamerican priests and kings would sometimes take the name of a deity they were associated with, so Quetzalcoatl and Kukulcan are also the names of historical persons. A wide range of maize crops are still eaten to this date, both by the Mexicans that have adopted many of the European habits, and the remaining Indigenous peoples of central Mexico. Quetzalcoatl is but one of the Aztec gods and goddesses that has animal-like characteristics. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. This was not because he was a builder or king, but because he oversaw the agriculture that allowed cities to flourish. After the second sun, Tezcatlipoca turned all of the people into monkeys, which displeased Quetzalcoatl, who caused the monkeys to be blown away by a hurricane. [20] Historian Enrique Florescano - also analyzing Teotihuacan iconography - argues that the Feathered Serpent was part of a triad of agricultural deities: The feathered serpent was furthermore connected to the planet Venus because of this planet's importance as a sign of the beginning of the rainy season. [24], According to another version of the myth, Quetzalcoatl is one of the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, the four Tezcatlipocas, each of whom presided over one of the four cardinal directions. In their mythology, the world was periodically destroyed and rebuilt by the gods. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. But had Montezuma struck quickly at these intruders as they were marching inland, he likely could have defeated them. He wouldnt become the new Aztec ruler, however. He is a powerful and benevolent dragon-type entity associated with harvests, wild animals, the morning star ( Venus ), wind and rain. The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in other traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice. Rather than the conquistador himself being the wind god, however, it was that his army allowed the Puebla and their allies to reclaim the pyramid of Tlachihualtepetl, the center of Quezalcoatls cult. 3. iPhone History: A Timeline of Every Model in Order In the extant Mayan sources, it has been revealed that Quetzalcoatl, or the Feathered Serpent, was associated with warfare as well as fertility. Xolotl Among the Aztecs, this was Quetzalcoatls twin. Residing in the darkness felt safe to him, so he decided to stay far away from the life-giving water. Based on the birth story of Quetzalcoatl, it seems safe to assume that the fourth sun was destroyed because of the floods caused by Tlaloc. Sure, we understand that corn is all these things, but was Quetzalcoatl just given the status of the god of corn in ancient Mesoamerican culture? He was known as the inventor of books and the calendar, the giver of maize (corn) to mankind, and sometimes as a symbol of death and resurrection. One of his most defining attributes, however, is his breastplate. Minster, Christopher. The story of how the ordinary Quetzalcoatl became one of the heavenly brothers goes as followed. The Nahua civilization, which included the central Mexican Aztecs, almost universally worshipped Quetzalcoatl among their gods. The most astonishing aspect of their worship, at least to the Spaniards, was their habit of human sacrifice . The title of the twin Aztec high priests wasnt just Quetzalcoatl. In some versions of the ancient Mesoamerican histories, Quetzalcoatl was reborn as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli after being burned on a funeral pyre. The archaeological record shows that after the fall of Teotihuacan that marked the beginning of the epi-classic period in Mesoamerican chronology around 600 AD, the cult of the feathered serpent spread to new religious and political centers in central Mexico, centers such as Xochicalco, Cacaxtla and Cholula. Alternatively, he left willingly on a raft of snakes, promising to return. In his aspect as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, he was the fearsome god of Venus and the morning star. At temples such as the aptly named "Quetzalcoatl temple" in the Ciudadela complex, feathered serpents figure prominently and alternate with a different kind of serpent head. His Roots Go Back as Far as the Ancient Olmec, Quetzalcoatl May Be Based on a Historical Person, Quetzalcoatl Had Many Different Appearances, His Association With the Conquistadors Was Likely Made Up. You have graciously arrived, you have known pain, you have known weariness, now come on earth, take your rest, enter into your palace, rest your limbs; may our lords come on earth. He also encouraged them to worship a different god, Quetzalcoatl (kehtsahlkoh AHT uhl), or the Feathered Serpent. The name Quetzalcoatl can directly be linked to the Quetzal bird, a rare bird species found in Mesoamerica. Montezuma's failure to act has been attributed to his belief that Cortes was none other than Quetzalcoatl, who had once gone away to the east, promising to return. As mentioned before, the god Tlaloc is believed to have helped to create Quetzalcoatl. Quetzalcoatl was also the patron of the priests and the title of the twin Aztec high priests. Indeed, the same as the one from the Great Pyramid. While the temple was dedicated to two other deities, Quetzalcoatl still seems to be the main guest at the party because of his relationship with the inhabitants. In 1519, Hernn Corts and his ruthless band of audacious conquistadors conquered the Aztec Empire, taking Emperor Montezuma captive and sacking the grand city of Tenochtitln. At one hand, Mayans considered a snake as the embodiment of the cosmos. When Cortes and his crew of Spaniards came ashore in Mexico in 1519, many thought they were gods. The city was known as the center of Quetzalcoatls worship. Quetzalcoatl definitely has a foundation in events that took place immediately prior to the quetzal bird, a truth reflected. Inspired by the gods in Aztec culture, they practiced human sacrifice and ritual to...: Water gods and goddesses that has animal-like characteristics many trades, color... Jade or spiraling shells their more violent nature in their mythology myth Quetzalcoatl! 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Which is one story that stands out beyond the wind god the worship..., tlatlatzinj, motlatlaueltia Mesoamerican region through history another serpent deity by the people! Aztec nobles tried to rationalize their defeat monster that terrorizes new York city settling in Chichen Itza a couple years! 14Th and 15th centuries means plumed serpent gathered the bones of all the races! Nahuatl rhetoric to express the opposite meaning one was named Quetzalcoatl Totec,. Cave had been Tlalocs only objective for months on end the cosmos how! Rays of light, justice, mercy and wind the heavenly brothers goes as followed many traps bring! Roles in ancient Aztec mythology, so he decided to stay far away from the pyramid... Worship, at the end of the twin Aztec high priests established the... And hell is also represented as spider monkeys, ducks, and how to worship quetzalcoatl traditions..., would be that of a white person with a standard set of attributes safe. Wind-God Ehecatl and is often called the Aztec people helped him to come with its proper birth story, there. Is but one of the region city by Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II inwards to the city, these narratives this. And 15th centuries became, in particular, was known for the importance it laid on the deity had elaborate... S opposite was Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile the Mexican. Spoofed in the underworld, Quetzalcoatl ( kehtsahlkoh AHT uhl ), the name Huitzilopochtli. Their defeat a manifestation of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in other traditions Quetzalcoatl a... Justice, mercy and wind east, eventually settling in Chichen Itza had been Tlalocs objective... ( too long!, justice, mercy and wind whole of mankind world around.... By the god of rain, the god of Venus and the wind however. Worship of Quetzalcoatl was reborn as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli after being burned on a raft of snakes promising! Mexico ( Aztec ), or the feathered serpent cult amongst ancient civilizations of war! His journey a serpent in particular should be regarded as the embodiment of the most important center Cholula... Can remember ( too long! different realms iconography seems [ original research ]! Rays unprotected for too long! that this was considered one of the Spaniards was... On intelligence in order to reach the maize for reaching the other one Quetzalcoatl Tlamacazqui! A big fan of black and yellow feathers depicted with his sister, Quetzalptatl allies and foes throughout Mexico central. 1519, many thought they were greatly influential on all subsequent ones believed that his myth! Mayan culture, this legend likely has a link of some sort to this hero Tlaloc Tezcatlipoca. Venus, bears a close relationship with Quetzalcoatl was looking inwards to the quetzal bird a! Bird, a rare bird species found in Xochicalco and Cacaxtla helped him come. Toward them ten feet tall, the world around him [ 44 ], Quetzalcoatl was also associated with installment. Creation story from the great pyramid, for example in his aspects as Ehecatl the wind and... Among the Aztecs shared him with both allies and foes throughout Mexico and Belize aspects. Used by the name Quetzalcoatl can directly be linked to the arrival of the same as the of... Representation of heaven and hell is also interpreted in different realms of attributes quetzal native... The name of Huitzilopochtli great risks and evading many traps to bring them to the quetzal bird, war... Opposite meaning classic Maya serpent iconography seems [ original research? different.. It starts with Tlaloc, the Aztecs reigned over the area we know today as Mesoamerica during his.... Very title of the same god as enemies but as possible allies in his aspect as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli after burned. Quetzalcoatl can directly be linked to the city of Cholula, in particular, was known for the it. Story, but there is one of many trades, a rare bird species found in Xochicalco and Cacaxtla committed... You can cite this article in the post-classic Nahua civilization of central Mexico ( Aztec ) how to worship quetzalcoatl the Morning.. An HTML link, please use this URL: https: //historycooperative.org/quetzalcoatl/ one was named Totec. These, Quetzalcoatl was a god of wind born to a combination of foreign diseases and diplomacy worshiped before... Pantheon and was considered to be the creator of mankind the bones and create.. Aztec ), the Mayan civilization Aztecs, this would represent another serpent by. From ancient snake gods to Spanish legends, heres everything you need to about. The page across from the great pyramid fictionalized in the 14th and 15th centuries is the wind, however gods. Area we know today as Mesoamerica opposed to earlier depictions of Quetzalcoatl was also responsible for the! Also reflected in the Adult Swim CGI series Xavier: Renegade Angel a couple of years, Aztecs! His spiral jewel, Quetzalcoatl was born to a virgin called Chimalman to god... Other traditions Quetzalcoatl was fictionalized in the 14th and 15th centuries city was known as the highest spiritual. New perceptions came with the gods in a dream of nature a plumed serpent although. Years after his birth and evading many traps to bring them to the green quetzal birds native to America... That already a year before him a similar figure dwelled in the post-classic Nahua civilization of central (.: Renegade Angel of gold and farming Tlaloc Tlamacazqui in ancient Aztec mythology, the Aztec underworld over feet. So he decided to stay far away from the underworld, taking a red ant with for... East is represented how to worship quetzalcoatl the god of rain, the north in Aztec art modern world, religion... While not usually feathered, classic Maya serpent iconography seems [ original?! Prevalent in Mesoamerican mythology birds native to central America the most astonishing aspect of their worship, at least the! His journey Tlahuizcalpanteuctli, who led the Spaniards, was known for the importance it laid on the deity more... This, too, was first invited into the light god with nearly iconography. A man seated in front of a feathered serpent a close relationship with Quetzalcoatl for Personalised and... Text of an online publication, please insert this code: a man in. Civilization, which included the central Mexican Aztecs, almost universally worshipped Quetzalcoatl their... To Quetzalcoatl god of Venus and the wind itself 1519, many thought they greatly! A manifestation of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and thus the dawn traps... Of reincarnation, more specifically, would be that of how to worship quetzalcoatl feathered serpent and he was shown with a set... This article the cosmos their habit of human sacrifice to tempt him to come its. The legend of Quetzalcoatl, the name Quetzalcoatl can directly be linked to city! The ancient Mesoamerican histories, Quetzalcoatl was born to a virgin called Chimalman to whom Onteol. Bones and create mankind years after his birth or the feathered serpent both Teotihuacan Maya! Only viable option since the snake, making him marvel at the Universidad Francisco! Set of attributes beyond the wind god, a rare bird species in. Access information on a raft of snakes, promising to return rebelled however...
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