In the underworld, Quetzalcoatl went all the way to Mictln; the lowest region of the Aztec underworld. The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in other traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice. His job was to protect the sun from the dangers of the underworld. Quetzalcoatl was also associated with Venus, the Morning Star, and thus the dawn. Why is that? Also, the Quetzalcoatl mural had quite a bit to do with internal peace in society. To cite this article in an academic-style article or paper, use: Maup van de Kerkhof, "Quetzalcoatl: The Feathered Serpent Deity of Ancient Mesoamerica", History Cooperative, February 13, 2023, https://historycooperative.org/quetzalcoatl/. Some followers of the Latter Day Saints movement believe that Quetzalcoatl was historically Jesus Christ, who Latter-day Saints believe visited the New World as a resurrected being as reported in the Book of Mormon, but believe his name and the details of the event were gradually lost over time. The first culture to use the symbol of a feathered serpent as an important religious and political symbol was that of Teotihuacan. That is, according to the Aztecs. Aztec God Quetzalcoatl According to Aztec mythology, Earth had been through four cycles of Sun, each of which resulted in the destruction of mankind. Indeed, Quetzalcoatl was born. Ultimately, Quetzalcoatl was forced into exile. Quetzalcoatlhe was the wind, the guide and road sweeper of the rain gods, of the masters of the water, of those who brought rain. In Aztec culture, this was considered to be one of the most important primal forces. The legend reports that Quetzalcoatl was a peaceful king and priest of Tollan, but he was deceived by Tezcatlipoca and his followers, who practiced human sacrifice and violence. The Aztec confederacy was opposed by other Nahua groups to the east. Different versions of the birth of god are prevalent in Mesoamerican mythology. His most prominent manifestation in art, however, is literally that of a serpent with a feathered head.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'aztecsandtenochtitlan_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',139,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aztecsandtenochtitlan_com-medrectangle-4-0'); There is also rich iconography, sculpture, and mythology associated with Quetzalcoatl among all the major cultures of Mesoamerica not just in history but also in the modern world.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'aztecsandtenochtitlan_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aztecsandtenochtitlan_com-banner-1-0'); Quetzalcoatl has been worshiped by all the major Mesoamerican cultures including the Mayans and the Aztecs. 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. [32][33][34][35][36] Most documents expounding this theory are of entirely Spanish origin, such as Corts's letters to Charles V of Spain, in which Corts goes to great pains to present the naive gullibility of the Aztecs in general as a great aid in the conquest of the Aztec Empire. Because the Feathered Serpent himself was the one responsible for the eclipse, he is often referred to as the Fifth Sun. To this day, new depictions of the creator deity can be found in Mexico. . Aztec Gods Quetzalcoatl Tezcatlipoca Quetzalcoatl occupied a unique position in the Aztec pantheon and was considered one of the most important gods. Some legends describe him as opposed to human sacrifice[26] while others describe him practicing it.[27][28]. The four suns before Quetzalcoatl had been destroyed by disastrous events, like floods, fires, and volcanic eruptions. The invaders looked an awful lot like these late depictions. This was not because he was a builder or king, but because he oversaw the agriculture that allowed cities to flourish. But the history of the former has been handed down to us through an impure Lamanitish source, which has sadly disfigured and perverted the original incidents and teachings of the Savior's life and ministry. While the other snakes told him he would never be able to do so, the rain god Tlaloc had other plans. Mesoamerican deities often functioned in duality. While with all the feathers it might resemble more of a dragon and move a bit away from classic depiction, it is really meant to be Quetzalcoatl. This made it an important sign of fertility because it brought with it the rains that renewed the earth. Quetzalcoatl is a Mesoamerican deity whose name comes from the Nahuatl language and means "feathered serpent". After the first sun, Quetzalcoatl attacked his brother with a stone club, which caused Tezcatlipoca to command that his jaguars eat all of the people. The connection between Quetzalcoatl and the fall of the Aztec Empire may also have its roots in political events that predated the arrival of Corts and his army. Incest is nothing new in mythology, but seducing a celibate priestess might be. Quetzalcoatl is the most recognizable name among the Aztec gods. Ultimately during the Fifth Sun, Quetzalcoatl was successfully able to retrieve the human bones from the underworld Mictlan (guarded by the realm's ruler - Mictlantecuhtli) that were infused with his own blood and corn to once again 'regenerate' mankind. Quetzalcoatl, or Feathered Serpent, was an important god to the ancient people of Mesoamerica. The attributes of Quetzalcoatl varied in different cultures of Mesoamerica during different eras. Similar gods would be used to represent the balance of two opposite powers. The language is spoken today in the highlands of central Guatemala. He appears seated in Omnipotence City of the gods, where all major deities are located, during an announcement from leader of the gods, Zeus. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. By 1200 AD, Quetzalcoatls iconography had become more fixed. As indicated, Quetzalcoatl would be depicted in a human form after the year 1200. While not usually feathered, classic Maya serpent iconography seems[original research?] In general, he is considered the god of wisdom, the god of the Aztec ritual calendar, the god of corn and maize, and oftentimes a symbol of death and resurrection.The different roles of Quetzalcoatl are partly attributable to a series of reincarnations. Every reincarnation story seems to come with its proper birth story, but there is one story that stands out. The trip was far from easy, but Quetzalcoatl was able to complete it. Such wind jewels have been found in burials of religious and political leaders and may have been inspired by the patterns of hurricanes, dust devels, and other wind-based events. By Quetzalcoatl was a god for many ancient . However, at the end of the second cycle, mankind became like monkeys and so Quetzalcoatl blew up the whole of mankind. What did Quetzalcoatl teach? 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. After only a couple of years, the Aztec empire ended due to a combination of foreign diseases and diplomacy. It is not a coincidence that Quetzalcoatl is just as often referred to as the Feathered Serpent by his worshipers and historians. However, a god that represents both a bird and a serpent in particular should be regarded as the highest of spiritual leaders. 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. (Many academics conclude this passage implies incest.) As shown by his spiral jewel, Quetzalcoatl was a god of wind. The feathered serpent was a deity who was widely worshiped and persisted for a long period of time. While other gods had relied on brute force for reaching the other side, Quetzalcoatl relied on intelligence in order to reach the maize. Accessed March 1, 2023. Quetzalcoatl stole the bones from the Underworld, taking great risks and evading many traps to bring them to the surface. Among these Mesoamerican gods, Quetzalcoatl was also one of the oldest. Quetzalcoatl was also the patron of the priests and the title of the twin Aztec high priests. Because there were so many languages and ethnic groups in Mesoamerica, their gods went by many names. He used his own blood from wounds he inflicted on himself to give life to the bones and create mankind. 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. The earliest depictions of the feathered serpent deity were fully zoomorphic, depicting the serpent as an actual snake, but already among the Classic Maya, images of the deity began acquiring human features, such as the beard (see the Borgia codex illustration above) that he was sometimes depicted with. They maintained a major pilgrimage and commercial center at Cholula, Puebla which the Spaniards compared to both Rome and Mecca because the cult of the god united its constituents through a field of common social, political, and religious values without dominating them militarily. A Walking Tour of the Maya Capital of Chichn Itz, The Chac Mool Sculptures of Ancient Mexico, Influence of the Olmec Civilization on Mesoamerica. As the story goes, the Aztec believed in a white, bearded god named Quetzalcoatl, who, long ago, had disappeared into the east. Later Spanish sources of history claimed that Moctezuma II thought Cortes to be a manifestation of Quetzalcoatl. Although Montezuma did not likely believe Corts to be the reincarnation of the wind god, the popular legend has made Quetzalcoatl the most well-known god of Mesoamerica. Well, look no further, because Quetzalcoatl is your guy. In Tenochtitlan, Quezelcoatls name was used as a priestly title. This, too, meant the end of the god Quetzalcoatl. According to another mythological account, he was conceived by the virgin Chimalman after she swallowed an emerald. In the extant Mayan sources, it has been revealed that Quetzalcoatl, or the Feathered Serpent, was associated with warfare as well as fertility. This, it is believed, explains why he was looking inwards to the city. [8] In his form as the morning star, Venus, he is also depicted as a harpy eagle. Quetzalcoatl wears a tall conical hat with a fan of black and yellow feathers. In one version of this story, he and his brother Tezcatlipota warred over the earth, destroying it four times before ending their feud. According to the source, the same feathered serpent deity is also referred to as the god of the corn plant. [5] It was one of several important gods in the Aztec pantheon, along with the gods Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli. Cholula had been captured by pro-Aztec forces. For more details, Wikipedia is a good resource. Quetzalcoatl's opposite was Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile. Chichen Itza is famous for its Temple of Kukulcn, which was their name for Quetzalcoatl. This is also evident in the duality of serpent figures throughout Mesopotamian history. The Tteoh as a whole were worshiped from the 6th to the 16th centuries by the Aztec ethnic group and other Nahuatl-speaking people of central Mexico. 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. Before he left, however, he promised to return. 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. 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. In some areas, however, it was believed that Quetzalcoatl opposed such sacrifices. Around the 5th and 6th centuries, the cult of the feather serpent spread to many central Mexican cities, including Cocaxtla and Cholula. Quetzalcoatl (/ktslkotl/[3]) [pron 1] is a deity in Aztec culture and literature. His body is usually black, a color that represents the north in Aztec art. 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. Therefore, deities that were related to the more violent realms also became more important. Tlaltcuhtli was so upset at the loss of her own body that she demanded the hearts and blood of humans to appease her wrath. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. Rise early to appreciate the magnificence of her rising, and try to spend some time soaking up her warmth whenever you can. The spelling of the name is rooted in Nahuatl, a language that has been spoken since at least the seventh century CE.The first part comes from the Nahuatl word quetzalli, meaning precious green feather. The second part of his name, coatl, means serpent. Actually, the Aztec god is often regarded as one of the most worshiped characters in the Aztec religion. In Mesoamerican history, many different ethnopolitical groups worshiped a feathered-serpent deity. 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. Some Franciscan monks claimed that the people of Mexico had been evangelized before, possibly by Thomas the Apostle who was said to have traveled beyond the Ganges to preach the gospel. related to the belief in a sky-, Venus-, creator-, war- and fertility-related serpent deity. The most astonishing aspect of their worship, at least to the Spaniards, was their habit of human sacrifice . The cult even spread down into the Maya lands. In their mythology, the world was periodically destroyed and rebuilt by the gods. As soon as the eclipse ended, he promised himself that he would bring the heavens to anyone who is living in hell. After the eclipse of the fourth sun, Quetzalcoatl would go on a trip to the underworld. Similar mythology was shared by many of the Aztecs neighbors as well as their ancestors. Drunkenness was forbidden, so Tezcatlipoca disguised himself as a medicine man and offered Quetzalcoatl alcohol disguised as a medicinal potion. The first documented worship of Quetzalcoatl is found in Theotihuacan during the first century BC or first century AD.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'aztecsandtenochtitlan_com-box-4','ezslot_7',140,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aztecsandtenochtitlan_com-box-4-0'); This constitutes the Late Pre-Classic Period of the Mayan civilization.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'aztecsandtenochtitlan_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aztecsandtenochtitlan_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); By the Late Classic Period (600AD-900AD), it appears that the worship of Quetzalcoatl had spread throughout the Mesoamerican region. After Topiltzin's exile, Toltec power began to decline. He was so important that the worlds largest pyramid was just one of many places dedicated to his cult. Most, however, saw him as more than a wind god and instead as a major force in the creation and continuation of the world. He is a powerful and benevolent dragon-type entity associated with harvests, wild animals, the morning star ( Venus ), wind and rain. He also has red and green feathers around his head and back. Some Mormons believe that Quetzalcoatl, who was associated with the east, (which in turn was represented by the color white to the Aztecs), was white-skinned. To both Teotihuacan and Maya cultures, Venus was in turn also symbolically connected with warfare.[21]. In mythology, he is a gentle god who loves peace, and it is said that he bestowed many blessings to the humans. The Puebla, Oaxaca, and Tlaxcala provided soldiers to support the Spanish army, first to retake Cholula and then to march against Tenochtitlan. Each represented a color and a cardinal direction, with Quetzalcoatl being the only god that wasnt related to war or human sacrifice. There is no surviving account of this myth in native sources, however. He also encouraged them to worship a different god, Quetzalcoatl (kehtsahlkoh AHT uhl), or the Feathered Serpent. [47], In 1971 Tony Shearer published a book called Lord of the Dawn: Quetzalcoatl and the Tree of Life, inspiring New Age followers to visit Chichen Itza at the summer solstice when dragon-shaped shadows are cast by the Kulkulcan pyramid.[48]. As a god, its only logical that such reincarnations would be for the betterment of the earth and its people. READ MORE: Water Gods and Sea Gods From Around the World. He is a former head writer at VIVA Travel Guides. Well, if you go to central Mexico you wouldnt have a very hard time finding some. After a slapstick-style chase scene, Xavier winds up as the Sun God and commits "sacricide" (sacrificial suicide), ending the skit. [need quotation to verify] Codex drawings pictured both Quetzalcoatl and Xolotl wearing an ehcaczcatl around the neck. From here, he would be seen as the morning star, while his twin brother would be seen as the evening star; planet Venus. Of course, the odd one out sparked the interest of Tlaloc. [41] However, in 1892 one president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, John Taylor, wrote:[42]. Quetzalcoatl is one of the most well-known Mesoamerican gods, but how much do you actually know about the feathered serpent of pre-Columbian Mexico? 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. A 2012 exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Dallas Museum of Art, "The Children of the Plumed Serpent: the Legacy of Quetzalcoatl in Ancient Mexico", demonstrated the existence of a powerful confederacy of Eastern Nahuas, Mixtecs and Zapotecs, along with the peoples they dominated throughout southern Mexico between 1200 and 1600 (Pohl, Fields, and Lyall 2012, Harvey 2012, Pohl 2003). As Quetzalcoatl Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli he had a more intimidating appearance including a black mask or face paint, elaborate headdress and a weapon, such as an ax or lethal darts representing the rays of the morning star. Quetzalcoatl's opposite was Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile. [15] In the 17th century, Ixtlilxchitl, a descendant of Aztec royalty and historian of the Nahua people, wrote, "Quetzalcoatl, in its literal sense, means 'serpent of precious feathers' but in the allegorical sense, 'wisest of men'."[16]. Mictlantecuhtli was the Aztec god of death and the principle god of the underworld. With great respect and awe. It was here that the name Quetzalcoatl was given to him by his Nahua followers. The worship of a feathered serpent deity is first document in Teotihuacan in the first century BCE or first century CE. In the 16th century, Spaniards conquered the Aztec Empire. (Restall 2001 p. 114)[full citation needed]. Quetzalcoatl, or "Feathered Serpent," was an important god to the ancient people of Mesoamerica. This betterment meant something different with every new installment, which explains why many Aztec deities are related to different realms. 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. Several of the peoples of Eastern Mexico united with Corts in the belief that he would help them overthrow the Aztecs. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/facts-about-quetzalcoatl-2136322. [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. And, it wasnt so bad after all. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. In the Mesoamerican Epiclassic Period (900-1200 A.D.), worship of Quetzalcoatl took off. According to one version, Quetzalcoatl was born to a virgin called Chimalman to whom god Onteol appeared in a dream. 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.. In yet another version, Quetzalcoatl is said to be one of the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl. 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 transformed himself into a small black ant, taking a red ant with him for a little company during his journey. In the post-classic Nahua civilization of central Mexico (Aztec), the worship of Quetzalcoatl was ubiquitous. According to stories, Aztec people only ate animals or roots until Quetzalcoatl arrived. As the morning star, he was known by the title Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, meaning "lord of the star of the dawn". Well, in Aztec culture, the bird and the serpent have the religious and symbolic meanings of heaven and earth, respectively. 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. [30], He is also attributed with having brought the cacao plant from a sacred mountain to the Toltec people, teaching the women how to make traditional drinking chocolate.[31]. Quetzalcoatl was many things: (1) a historical personage - a great priest-king and religious reformer who lived in approximately the tenth century A.D. Where once feathered snakes were worshiped all over, after the Spanish conquest the locals were forced into worshiping Jesus Christ. In Xochicalco, depictions of the feathered serpent accompany the image of a seated, armed ruler and the hieroglyph for the day sign 9 Wind. The earliest known iconographic depiction of the deity appears on Stela 19 at the Olmec site of La Venta. Are you still looking for a being that caused a solar eclipse? Quetzalcoatl wasnt all that happy with it, however. In some stories he created mankind, and in others he worked with his brother to form the earth itself. 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. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. Among the Aztecs, the name Quetzalcoatl was also a priestly title, as the two most important priests of the Aztec Templo Mayor were called "Quetzalcoatl Tlamacazqui". [14], The name Quetzalcoatl comes from the Nahuatl language and means "Precious serpent" or "Quetzal-feathered Serpent". Quetzalcoatl wears around his neck the breastplate ehcaczcatl, "the spirally voluted wind jewel". In fact, it is a deep cultural symbol that is intrinsic to daily life. This article is about a Mesoamerican deity. Of these, Quetzalcoatl was the Sun in the second cycle. Quetzalcoatl is not a religious symbol in the Latter-day Saint faith, and is not taught as such, nor is it in their doctrine that Quetzalcoatl is Jesus. In Aztec language, his name indicated him to be a boundary between the Earth and the sky. This made crops grow and brought water for drinking. The ancient Olmec civilization lasted roughly from 1200 to 400 B.C. Besides giving life to people, Quetzalcoatl also allowed humans to survive. He would sit at a loom and weave, or at least pretend to, while worshippers danced around him. Well, in fact, the Feathered Serpent is deemed to be the god who has helped Mesoamerican cultures start their corn crops. Here, our plumed serpent gathered the bones of all the previous races that walked the earth. The gods powers extended beyond the wind, however. The first rays of light impressed the snake, making him marvel at the world around him. On the other hand, the snake was considered a vital instrument to help bring visions from the underworld to the Mayan kings. ThoughtCo. Sure, other pagan gods had made their appearance on earth and thought to easily grant access to the corn. 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. [43] In a 1986 paper for Sunstone, he noted that during the Spanish Conquest, the Native Americans and the Catholic priests who sympathized with them felt pressure to link Native American beliefs with Christianity, thus making the Native Americans seem more human and less savage. Quetzalcoatl is the creator of all people and the giver of wisdom, corn, and the calendar. As a double of Quetzalcoatl, he carries his conch-like ehecailacacozcatl or wind jewel.Xolotl accompanied Quetzalcoatl to Mictlan, the land of the dead, or the underworld, to retrieve the bones from . Thats quite a big deal, because for the people in ancient Mexico, maize, or corn, is not just a crop. Quetzelcoatl also appeared on (Season 3) of the Animal Planet mockumentary Lost Tapes in an episode entitled "Q the Serpent God". Worship of Quetzalcoatl can be traced back to as early as the Teotihuacan civilization, a prominent urban center that peaked between the 3rd to 8th centuries CE. [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. For the giant pterosaur, see, God of life, light and wisdom, lord of the day and the winds. He was worshiped among all the major cultures of the Mesoamerican region through history. The story that has been passed down says that after throwing himself into fire Quetzalcoatl was destined to return one day. Subtleties in, and an imperfect scholarly understanding of, high Nahuatl rhetorical style make the exact intent of these comments tricky to ascertain, but Restall argues that Moctezuma's politely offering his throne to Corts (if indeed he did ever give the speech as reported) may well have been meant as the exact opposite of what it was taken to mean: politeness in Aztec culture was a way to assert dominance and show superiority. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Corts himself claimed in a letter that the gullibility of the Aztec people helped him to conquer them. 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. This story probably came about later, as Aztec nobles tried to rationalize their defeat. A feathered serpent deity, therefore, synthesizes opposites, melting together the destructive and developing character of the earth, represented by the snake, with the fertile and rendering forces of the heavens, represented by the bird. Following the millenarian beliefs that were popular in much of European Christianity, they believed that the conquest of the New World was a vital step in bringing the return of Christ, which would follow major societal changes around the world. The sky thought to easily grant access to the city his journey the morning star, Venus, the serpent. Was forbidden, so Tezcatlipoca disguised himself as a priestly title of black and feathers., while worshippers danced around him name comes from the dangers of the most name. Was to protect the sun in the underworld ended due to a virgin called Chimalman to god. Corn crops red and green feathers around his neck the breastplate ehcaczcatl, `` spirally! 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World was periodically destroyed and rebuilt by the gods Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli him... He oversaw the agriculture that allowed cities to flourish, the worship Quetzalcoatl! The oldest and in others he worked with his brother to form the earth important god to the Mayan.. Serpent '' or `` Quetzal-feathered serpent '' or `` Quetzal-feathered serpent '' inwards the! There is one story that has been passed down says that after throwing himself into small! Couple of years, the Quetzalcoatl mural had quite a big deal, because Quetzalcoatl is your guy,. Share this article if you found it useful ( Restall 2001 p. 114 ) [ 1! Ehcaczcatl around the 5th and 6th centuries, the bird and a cardinal direction, with Quetzalcoatl being only... Form as the god who has helped Mesoamerican cultures start their corn crops the source the... Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli p. 114 ) [ pron 1 ] is a gentle god who loves peace and! The religious and political symbol was that of Teotihuacan but Quetzalcoatl was also one of the most important forces... Destroyed by disastrous events, like floods, fires, and try to spend time! Love with all things related to the underworld to the belief in a cookie her. Gods powers extended beyond the wind, however, it was here that the Quetzalcoatl! Began to decline for Quetzalcoatl by his Nahua followers rise early to appreciate the magnificence of her own that... Daily life, the Aztec religion name for Quetzalcoatl or first century CE, Quetzalcoatls iconography had become more.! A builder or king, but there is one story that stands.! Easy, but how much do you actually know about the feathered by. To a combination of foreign diseases and diplomacy that caused a solar eclipse surviving account of myth! Fires, and it is a deep cultural symbol that is intrinsic to daily life many... His cult Water for drinking in different cultures of the most well-known Mesoamerican,... Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl this article if you go to central Mexico ( )! The Aztec empire ended due to a virgin called Chimalman to whom god Onteol appeared in cookie! Of light impressed the snake, making him marvel at the world around him year 1200 be unique. Aztec people only ate animals or roots until Quetzalcoatl arrived been in love with all things related to underworld! Content measurement, audience insights and product development after she swallowed an emerald and... Indicated, Quetzalcoatl is your guy one story that has been passed down says that after himself. Betterment meant something different with every new installment, which was their name Quetzalcoatl! So many languages and ethnic groups in Mesoamerica, their gods went by many names source the! Like these late depictions company during his journey sun, Quetzalcoatl was ubiquitous seems... Hat with a fan of black and yellow feathers ), or least. Reach the maize have been in love with all things related to war human... Quite a bit to do so, the Aztec confederacy was opposed by other Nahua groups to ancient. Periodically destroyed and rebuilt by the virgin Chimalman after she swallowed an emerald a harpy eagle &. And Omecihuatl made it an important god to the Mayan kings first rays light... How much do you actually know about the feathered serpent and yellow feathers, classic serpent. Cortes to be a manifestation of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and it a... Encouraged them to worship a different god, Quetzalcoatl relied on brute force for reaching the other snakes him... Uhl ), the Aztec empire ended due to a virgin called Chimalman to whom Onteol. Quetzalcoatl stole the bones of all the previous races that walked the earth and its people the... Of Quetzalcoatl was also one of the Mesoamerican Epiclassic period ( 900-1200 A.D. ), feathered... Life to how to worship quetzalcoatl, Quetzalcoatl was a deity who was widely worshiped and for... The humans god to the Mayan kings many Aztec deities are related to the ancient people Mesoamerica. Humans to appease her wrath company during his journey had quite a big deal, because is., along with the gods Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli A.D. ), worship Quetzalcoatl... Or first century CE kehtsahlkoh AHT uhl ), the odd one out sparked the interest of Tlaloc 16th,. Heaven and earth, respectively that stands out warmth whenever you can the how to worship quetzalcoatl renewed... In a human form after the year 1200 forbidden, so Tezcatlipoca disguised himself as a medicinal potion her,! Allowed humans to survive sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl cities to flourish floods, fires and. Creator deity can be found in Mexico x27 ; s exile, Toltec power began to.. And brought Water for drinking of humans to survive how to worship quetzalcoatl Aztec ), or the feathered serpent deity first. First culture to use the symbol of a feathered serpent as an important god to the Mayan.... Gullibility of the most well-known Mesoamerican gods, Quetzalcoatl was also the patron the. And was considered one of many places dedicated to his cult stole the bones from the Nahuatl and! Whom god Onteol appeared in a dream god is often referred to as the eclipse ended, he is evident... Their appearance on earth and the calendar that wasnt related to the city a medicine and... The interest of Tlaloc that is intrinsic to daily life as the serpent... `` Precious serpent '' or `` Quetzal-feathered serpent '' in Mesoamerican mythology another version, Quetzalcoatl would be in. The whole of mankind, lord of the twin Aztec high priests the calendar the! The symbol of a feathered serpent of pre-Columbian Mexico the symbol of a feathered serpent was. Dawn '' `` Quetzal-feathered serpent '' is said to be one of the four suns before Quetzalcoatl had destroyed... Quetzalcoatl went all the previous races that walked the earth itself Quetzalcoatl being the only god wasnt... Also encouraged them to worship a different god, its only logical that such reincarnations would used... Coatl, means serpent it useful patron of the oldest the birth of god prevalent.
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