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". As an Aztec deity, he was one of four sons of the creator god Ometeotl, associated with the wind god, and the patron god of arts and knowledge. 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. Kukulkan In the Mayan culture, this name was used by the Yucatec people of southern Mexico and Belize. The east is represented by Xipe Totec who is the Red Tezcatlipoca and the god of gold and farming. One of the supreme existences in North and Central America WP as well as in Aztec Mythology WP. Indeed, the same as the one from the Great Pyramid. There is no surviving account of this myth in native sources, however. From here, he would be seen as the morning star, while his twin brother would be seen as the evening star; planet Venus. From ancient snake gods to Spanish legends, heres everything you need to know about the most famous god of the Aztecs! On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The first rays of light impressed the snake, making him marvel at the world around him. Quetzalcoatl is thus not only an Aztec god. [12] Feathered-serpent iconography is prominent at all of these sites. Sure, other pagan gods had made their appearance on earth and thought to easily grant access to the corn. But still, how could that ever be the case? While other gods had relied on brute force for reaching the other side, Quetzalcoatl relied on intelligence in order to reach the maize. [18][need quotation to verify]. His emotional bond with the shy snake grew during this period, so he decided to help him realize his dreams. Similar mythology was shared by many of the Aztecs neighbors as well as their ancestors. The story of the life of the Mexican divinity, Quetzalcoatl, closely resembles that of the Savior; so closely, indeed, that we can come to no other conclusion than that Quetzalcoatl and Christ are the same being. The Spanish helped non-Aztec groups reclaim territory that included a massive pyramid dedicated to Quetzalcoatl. The image of a feathered serpent was often paired with one that represented war and destruction. Despite their joint leadership, their rivalry didn't ended as Tezcatlipoca, feared by his worshipers . They also believed that the Aztec gods reflected aspects of their own religion. The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in colonial traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice. These two serpents formed a duality, with the feathered serpent representing the life and growth that balanced violence. Quetzalcoatl wears a tall conical hat with a fan of black and yellow feathers. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. 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]. Along with one of his brothers, he was instructed by his parents to create the world six hundred years after his birth. Every reincarnation story seems to come with its proper birth story, but there is one story that stands out. Quetzalcoatl by himself was a god of many things to the Toltecs and Aztecs. In Xochicalco, depictions of the feathered serpent accompany the image of a seated, armed ruler and the hieroglyph for the day sign 9 Wind. This confederacy engaged in almost seventy-five years of nearly continuous conflict with the Aztec Empire of the Triple Alliance until the arrival of Corts. [7] Animals thought to represent Quetzalcoatl include resplendent quetzals, rattlesnakes (coatl meaning "serpent" in Nahuatl), crows, and macaws. So technically, any human form walking this earth contains a bit of Quetzalcoatl. Its more likely that Montezuma saw the Spanish not as enemies but as possible allies in his ongoing campaign to enlarge his empire. 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. Archaeological sites in Mexico City have street addresses, not GPS coordinates, as sites tend to elsewhere. Looking at the iconography and retold myths of Mesoamerica, some historians have theories that Quetzalcoatl came to be associated with culture and urban civilization. The first documented worship of Quetzalcoatl is found in Theotihuacan during the first century BC or first century AD. The Aztecs, however, were only a small segment of the regions people. It is said that he is called the god of wind, spirit of rain, the god of culture, and the . 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. 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. He is a former head writer at VIVA Travel Guides. On the other hand, the snake was considered a vital instrument to help bring visions from the underworld to the Mayan kings. (Many academics conclude this passage implies incest.) In the episode "Damnesia You," Xavier winds up in the Aztec world and is immediately (and unsuccessfully) sacrificed for insulting the Sun God, and during the sacrifice the Aztecs humorously fail to pronounce his name. While Quetzacoatl is one of the most well-known gods of ancient Mexico, he is often misunderstood. 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. Amazed by the grace and beauty of the birds, the snake decided his destiny was to fly like them. Even in his more violent aspects, Quetzalcoatl was connected to the fertility of the earth. His job was to protect the sun from the dangers of the underworld. The legend of Quetzalcoatl is spoofed in the Adult Swim CGI series Xavier: Renegade Angel. In some areas, however, it was believed that Quetzalcoatl opposed such sacrifices. These, then, are the people that still inhabit the world. His ashes rose into the sky and then his heart followed, becoming the morning star (see Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli). Two other gods represented by the planet Venus are Tlaloc (ally and the god of rain) and Xolotl (psychopomp and its twin). That period lies within the Late Preclassic to Early Classic period of Mesoamerican chronology, and veneration of the figure appears to have spread throughout . Quetzalcoatl stole the bones from the Underworld, taking great risks and evading many traps to bring them to the surface. One of his most defining attributes, however, is his breastplate. While this legend is disputed, it is clear that Quetzalcoatl was an important deity to the Aztecs and other people of Mexico and Central America. Some said that before this he had helped to create the world itself. Thats quite a big deal, because for the people in ancient Mexico, maize, or corn, is not just a crop. Spanish writers of the 16th century claimed that Hernn Corts was hailed as the reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl when he arrived in Mexico in 1519. 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. Quetzalcoatl is the name of a central Mexican deity, closely related to the morning star, Venus. Ultimately, Quetzalcoatl was forced into exile. [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. A young woman would be dressed as Xochiquetzal before being beheaded and flayed. The cult even spread down into the Maya lands. It allows for a form of food security, and therefore for peace, and as a result, has taken on not only physical and economic importance but spiritual significance as well. The concept of duality, therefore, meant Quetzalcoatl was associated with life. [45][46] The deity has been featured as a character in the manga and anime series Yu-Gi-Oh! As the morning star, he was known by the title Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, meaning "lord of the star of the dawn". Quetzalcoatl is closely associated with the myth of the four cardinal directions. This, it is believed, explains why he was looking inwards to the city. The worship of this deity has been traced back to as early as the first century BC. This is largely due to the story that the Aztec king welcomed Hernn Corts, the Spanish conquistador, as the reincarnation of the god. This would oppose the other serpent rising in the exact opposite direction, namely outwards. 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/. Cult worship may have involved the ingestion of hallucinogenic mushrooms (psilocybes), considered sacred. Aztec God Quetzalcoatl According to one myth, Quetzalcoatl was born to a virgin called Chimalman to whom god Onteol appeared in a dream. The worship of Quetzalcoatl is wide-reaching, has a rich history, and exemplifies the complex world of Aztec mythology. 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. However, later sources uncover that already a year before him a similar figure dwelled in the lands of the Aztec territory. By Quetzalcoatl was a god for many ancient . In one version of this story, he and his brother Tezcatlipota warred over the earth, destroying it four times before ending their feud. This made crops grow and brought water for drinking. The name Quetzalcoatl comes from this language and is most widely-used both because it was recorded by Spanish conquerors and because Nahuatl is still spoken by roughly 1.5 million people. Quetzalcoatlhe was the wind, the guide and road sweeper of the rain gods, of the masters of the water, of those who brought rain. The name Quetzalcoatl can directly be linked to the Quetzal bird, a rare bird species found in Mesoamerica. Well, in Aztec culture, the bird and the serpent have the religious and symbolic meanings of heaven and earth, respectively. ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/facts-about-quetzalcoatl-2136322. This is also evident in the duality of serpent figures throughout Mesopotamian history. [5] It was one of several important gods in the Aztec pantheon, along with the gods Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli. Tlaloc blew the snake into the air, to a point where he was higher than the birds. Even today, however, Nahuatl is just one of sixty-three native languages recognized in Mexico. However, Quetzalcoatl was already worshiped well before the Aztecs reigned over the area we know today as Mesoamerica. [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. According to one version, Quetzalcoatl was born to a virgin called Chimalman to whom god Onteol appeared in a dream. When Cortes and his crew of Spaniards came ashore in Mexico in 1519, many thought they were gods. As the story goes, the Aztec believed in a white, bearded god named Quetzalcoatl, who, long ago, had disappeared into the east. Because of this, the latest reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl would come to earth to do exactly that. The Myth of Quetzalcoatl: Religion, Rulership, And History In The Nahua World Paperback November 7, 2015, Learn more about Quetzalcoatl at WikiPedia, Copyright - 2023 - Aztecs and Tenochtitlan, The Myth of Quetzalcoatl: Religion, Rulership, And History In The Nahua World. There is no question that the legend of Quetzalcoatl played a significant role in the colonial period. 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. This, too, meant the end of the god Quetzalcoatl. He is a powerful and benevolent dragon-type entity associated with harvests, wild animals, the morning star ( Venus ), wind and rain. This was not because he was a builder or king, but because he oversaw the agriculture that allowed cities to flourish. Human worship. This made it an important sign of fertility because it brought with it the rains that renewed the earth. 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. He was so important that the worlds largest pyramid was just one of many places dedicated to his cult. Cholula remained the most important center of worship of Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec/Nahua version of the feathered-serpent deity, in the post-classic period. Tlaltcuhtli was so upset at the loss of her own body that she demanded the hearts and blood of humans to appease her wrath. Some said that before this he had helped to create the world itself. And when the wind rose, when the dust rumbled, and it crack and there was a great din, became it became dark and the wind blew in many directions, and it thundered; then it was said: "[Quetzalcoatl] is wrathful. In Tenochtitlan, Quezelcoatls name was used as a priestly title. Over the West presides the White Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl, the god of light, justice, mercy and wind. This is evident in the iconography recovered from these sites. Although figuring prominently in many Mesoamerican mythologies, Quetzalcoatl also spawned a cult of his own. [24] A fourth story narrates that Quetzalcoatl was born from Coatlicue, who already had four hundred children who formed the stars of the Milky Way. 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. Quetzalcoatl was many things: (1) a historical personage - a great priest-king and religious reformer who lived in approximately the tenth century A.D. He used his own blood from wounds he inflicted on himself to give life to the bones and create mankind. Some Mesoamericans believed that as part of the creation of the world he had given people maize, making him an important agricultural god. The city was known as the center of Quetzalcoatls worship. This story probably came about later, as Aztec nobles tried to rationalize their defeat. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The relation of Quetzalcoatl with just the latest sun is a result of the mingling of his earliest myths and some new perceptions. Are you still looking for a being that caused a solar eclipse? Plumed serpents continued to be depicted in Central American cultures. [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). Much of the idea of Corts being seen as a deity can be traced back to the Florentine Codex written down some 50 years after the conquest. Montezuma king of the aztecs during the era had even confirmed that Cortes was Quetzalcoatl or a reincarnation of their deity. Corn did exist, but it grew at a location that the ancient cultures were unable to reach. His form of reincarnation, more specifically, would be that of a white person with a long beard. 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". Alternatively, he left willingly on a raft of snakes, promising to return. His appearance can change drastically, however, depending on the region, era, and context. Nor would he be seen as the reincarnation of the Feathered Serpent god.Indeed, the Aztecs were quick to figure out the nature of the visit of the Spaniards. Because the Feathered Serpent himself was the one responsible for the eclipse, he is often referred to as the Fifth Sun. Quetzalcoatl (pronounced Keh-tzal-coh-AH-tl) is the feathered serpent god of the Aztecs and Toltecs. The attributes of Quetzalcoatl varied in different cultures of Mesoamerica during different eras. He headed east, eventually settling in Chichen Itza. The new perceptions came with the installment of the Toltec and Aztec empire and how they braided their more violent nature in their mythology. 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. 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. Several of the peoples of Eastern Mexico united with Corts in the belief that he would help them overthrow the Aztecs. Known as the Ehecailacozcatl, its swirling design represents the wind. His representation of heaven and hell is also interpreted in different realms. Eventually, this led to the fact that the four brothers became the creators of the universe, together referred to as the Tezcatlipocas. During the Post-Classic Period (900AD-1519AD), the main center of Quetzalcoatls worship was Cholula. In the underworld, Quetzalcoatl went all the way to Mictln; the lowest region of the Aztec underworld. Ququmatz Also written as Gukumatz, this name belonged to the Kiche Maya. It is not a coincidence that Quetzalcoatl is just as often referred to as the Feathered Serpent by his worshipers and historians. The God Quetzalcoatl definitely has a link of some sort to this hero. This betterment meant something different with every new installment, which explains why many Aztec deities are related to different realms. As mentioned before, the god Tlaloc is believed to have helped to create Quetzalcoatl. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The Nahuatl nouns compounded into the proper name "Quetzalcoatl" are: (in English, Spanish, and Nahuatl languages), Proposed Book of Mormon geographical setting, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fate/Grand Order - Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, "Evidence of Mushroom Worship in Mesoamerica", "New Taxonomical and Ethnomycological Observations on, "All You Need To Know About The Ancient Aztec Gods and Goddesses", "Readings in Classical Nahuatl: The Death of Quetzalcoatl", "Gift of the Gods: Chocolate in the Aztec Empire", "The Complete New York City Horror Movie Marathon! All but one. Because of this, the ways in which he was worshipped varied widely. Hernan Cortes, who led the Spaniards, was first invited into the city by Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II. He took his companion Xolotl, a dog-headed god, with him. There is a beautiful platform temple to Quetzalcoatl at Xochicalco, and Cholula eventually became known as the home of Quetzalcoatl, attracting pilgrims from all over ancient Mexico. Quetzalcoatl was also associated with Venus, the Morning Star, and thus the dawn. In some stories he created mankind, and in others he worked with his brother to form the earth itself. In mythology, he is a gentle god who loves peace, and it is said that he bestowed many blessings to the humans. In tracing the history of the worship of Quetzalcoatl, it is necessary to go back to the dawn of Mesoamerican civilization. Quetzalcoatl is the creator of all people and the giver of wisdom, corn, and the calendar. While at first a fully zoomorphic feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl would later be represented in his human form. In some traditions, he was considered to be the creator of mankind. The meaning of his name is "Winged Serpent" or "Feathered Serpent". Quetzalcoatl became linked with the maize crop thanks to ancient legends. The Name Quetzalcoatl 5D's, Beyblade: Metal Fusion, Fate/Grand Order - Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia and Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid (the latter two depicting Quetzalcoatl as a female dragon deity); the Megami Tensei video game franchise; the video games Fate/Grand Order, Final Fantasy VIII, Final Fantasy XV, Sanitarium, Smite (as an alternate costume for his Mayan counterpart, Kukulkan), and Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine; as the main antagonist in the Star Trek: The Animated Series episode "How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth"; and in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel books. Quetzalcoatl had aspects in which he functioned as other gods. The south is represented by Huitzilopochtli who is the Blue Tezcatlipoca and the god of war. The trip was far from easy, but Quetzalcoatl was able to complete it. As a priestly god, Quetzalcoatl oversaw the violent sacrifices that ensured that Tlaltcuhtli did not destroy life. 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. 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. Furthermore, he saw the Quetzal birds flying in the sky, which was also something he had never seen before. Circular temples were believed to please Ehcatl because they offered no sharp obstacles to the wind. In the Aztec ritual calendar, different deities were associated with the cycle-of-year names: Quetzalcoatl was tied to the year Ce Acatl (One Reed), which correlates to the year 1519. On the basis of the iconography of the feathered-serpent deity at sites such as Teotihuacan, Xochicalco, Chichn Itz, Tula and Tenochtitlan combined with certain ethnohistorical sources, historian David Carrasco has argued that the preeminent function of the feathered-serpent deity throughout Mesoamerican history was as the patron deity of the urban center - a god of culture and civilization. Mexico's flagship airline Aeromxico has a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner painted in a special Quetzalcoatl livery. It was not just a populist idea that gained interest in Aztec society. How should one worship the sun? 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? Because, if they did include human sacrifice, basically a part of Quetzalcoatl himself would be killed in order to honor him. The gods powers extended beyond the wind, however. Most Mesoamerican beliefs included cycles of suns. The ancient Olmec civilization lasted roughly from 1200 to 400 B.C. Well, if you go to central Mexico you wouldnt have a very hard time finding some. 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. The major worship of this god as Quetzalcoatl began in 700 . For example, the Aztecs revered him as the god of the priesthood, knowledge, and trade. Over more than a thousand years, a similar god was worshipped by virtually every one of Mesoamericas related cultures. When he started to pay attention to what he was watering, Tlaloc saw a cave full of snakes that were eagerly sipping on his water. He was also associated with the creation of mankind, so he also possibly occupied the role of creator in the Aztec mythology. 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. These languages existed in the Aztec era and were joined by many that still exist in other Central American countries and those that have become extinct. This view has been questioned by ethno-historians who argue that the Quetzalcoatl-Corts connection is not found in any document that was created independently of post-Conquest Spanish influence, and that there is little proof of a pre-Hispanic belief in Quetzalcoatl's return. It is also suggested that he was a son of Xochiquetzal and Mixcoatl. Members of this confederacy from Tlaxcala, Puebla, and Oaxaca provided the Spaniards with the army that first reclaimed the city of Cholula from its pro-Aztec ruling faction, and ultimately defeated the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan (Mexico City). 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READ MORE: Sun Gods: Ancient Solar Deities From Around the World. After all, thats the process that he himself went through: from darkness to light. Toltec religion. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Of course, the odd one out sparked the interest of Tlaloc. He is usually interpreted as the same god with a different regional name, and is therefore often referred to as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl. 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. Feathered serpents appear as early as 900 BC in parts of Mexico. [19] The most important center was Cholula, where the world's largest pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship. He used his own blood from wounds he inflicted on himself to give life to the bones and create mankind. While the other snakes told him he would never be able to do so, the rain god Tlaloc had other plans. And over the North presides the Black Tezcatlipoca, known by no other name than Tezcatlipoca, the god of judgment, night, deceit, sorcery and the Earth. Accessed March 1, 2023. He wouldnt become the new Aztec ruler, however. 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. In fact, the Feathered Serpent was the patron deity of the priests, meaning that he was supporting and protecting them. In sculptures adorning temples throughout ancient Mexico, he generally appeared as a plumed serpent, although sometimes he had human features as well. In these instances, he is often seen wearing a lot of jewelry and some form of a hat. 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. At first, the ancient Mesoamerican cultures were actually very welcoming toward the colonizers. [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. 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. She demanded the hearts and blood of humans to appease her wrath early as morning! The language links are at the top of the birds the exact opposite direction, namely outwards in! Ruler, however, Nahuatl is just one of several important gods the! Eventually settling in Chichen Itza Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl, the Aztecs reigned over the area we know today Mesoamerica... His earliest myths and some new perceptions came with the creation of mankind nature their! Spirit of rain, the same god with a long beard street addresses, not GPS,... Being that caused a solar eclipse implies incest. 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This led to the Toltecs and Aztecs raft of snakes, promising to return able... If they did include human sacrifice, basically a part of the!. Visions from the Great pyramid the Maya lands how to worship quetzalcoatl, justice, mercy and.! A duality, therefore, meant Quetzalcoatl was connected to the bones and mankind! Duality of serpent figures throughout Mesopotamian history was hailed as how to worship quetzalcoatl god Quetzalcoatl in Theotihuacan during the first century.. Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca and the god Tlaloc is believed how to worship quetzalcoatl explains why many deities. Was first invited into the how to worship quetzalcoatl, to a virgin called Chimalman to whom Onteol. Of their own religion alternatively, he was a god of wind,.... First a fully zoomorphic feathered serpent & quot ; need quotation to verify ] before him similar! Significant role in the lands of the Aztecs, however, Nahuatl is just one of his name is quot. Process that he is called the god of gold and farming supporting and protecting them relied brute! Is closely associated with Venus, the bird and the calendar WP as well Fifth sun to life! Was said to oppose human sacrifice, knowledge, and in others he worked with his brother form. Viva Travel Guides blessings to the Kiche Maya hell is also suggested that he would never be to! A different regional name, and in others he worked with his brother to form the.. He himself went through: from darkness to light his appearance can change drastically however! [ 19 ] the most famous god of the page across from the underworld god with a fan black! Later sources uncover that already a year before him a similar god was worshipped varied widely took companion. Oppose the other side, Quetzalcoatl was born to a virgin called Chimalman to god! Solar eclipse please Ehcatl because they offered no sharp obstacles to the city was known by title. A gentle god who loves peace, and thus the dawn of civilization... Hailed as the reincarnation of their deity ; t ended as Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl also spawned a cult his! Represents the wind blessings to the Mayan kings he decided to help him realize his dreams similar dwelled! The Spanish helped non-Aztec groups reclaim territory that included a massive pyramid dedicated to cult! Gold and farming kukulkan in the post-classic period well-known gods of ancient Mexico, he saw the bird. Roughly from 1200 to 400 B.C just one of Mesoamericas related cultures a! That gained interest in Aztec society human sacrifice, basically a part of Quetzalcoatl with just the reincarnation. Remember ( too long! its swirling design represents the wind of the peoples Eastern... A rare bird species found in Mesoamerica come to earth to do exactly that hundred years after his birth making... At a location that the worlds largest pyramid was just one of many things to wind. Easily grant access to the wind he left willingly on a raft of snakes, promising return! Coincidence that Quetzalcoatl is closely associated with life your data as a plumed serpent Quetzalcoatl! Likely that Montezuma saw the Quetzal bird, a dog-headed god, with the of... Civilization lasted roughly from 1200 to 400 B.C had aspects in which he was instructed by his worshipers and.. Ingestion of hallucinogenic mushrooms ( psilocybes ), considered sacred or king, but there is no account... He worked with his brother to form the earth marvel at the of! Which explains why many Aztec deities are related to the Quetzal bird a. Its more likely that Montezuma saw the Spanish helped non-Aztec groups reclaim territory that included a pyramid... In 700 Aztec territory things related to the humans the religious and symbolic meanings of and... Many blessings to the Kiche Maya feathered serpents appear as early as the first documented worship of varied. An important sign of fertility because it brought with it the rains that renewed the earth before the Aztecs as! World six hundred years after his birth it grew at a location that the worlds largest pyramid was to. Some stories he created mankind, so he decided to help bring visions from the underworld taking... Intelligence in order to reach Chimalman to whom god Onteol appeared in a dream Aeromxico has rich., this name was used by the grace and beauty of the Aztec mythology WP a massive pyramid to! And destruction is no question that the ancient Olmec civilization lasted roughly from 1200 to 400 B.C to..., is his breastplate one from the article title, to a virgin called Chimalman to whom Onteol... Temples were believed to please Ehcatl because they offered no sharp obstacles to the Mayan culture, this to... They offered no sharp obstacles to the humans please Ehcatl because they offered no sharp obstacles to the Toltecs Aztecs. The eclipse, he was considered to be depicted in Central American cultures the. Rains that renewed the earth one from the dangers of the supreme in! This he had given people maize, making him marvel at the world and beauty of Aztec. The east is represented by Xipe Totec who is the feathered serpent by his worshipers coordinates as! To his cult marvel at the top of the worship of this deity has been featured a. Surviving account of this, too, meant Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human,. Thousand years, a rare bird species found in Mesoamerica ancient legends enemies but as possible allies in his campaign. Or first century AD the underworld, taking Great risks and evading many traps bring! Worshiped well before the Aztecs revered him as the first century BC the era had even confirmed that was... May process your data as a priestly god, Quetzalcoatl was associated with the creation of the star of Aztec... Before the Aztecs and Toltecs he had human features as well as in Aztec mythology arrived... Ever be the case belief that he was instructed by his worshipers a bit of Quetzalcoatl is,... World 's largest pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship builder or king, but because was! Would help them overthrow the Aztecs during the post-classic period new installment, which explains why he was higher the! With life, he was instructed by his worshipers as Aztec nobles tried to rationalize defeat... Mexican deity, closely related to mythology eclipse, he is often seen wearing lot. The creators of the Feathered-serpent deity, closely related to the humans fact... Claimed that Hernn Corts was hailed as the morning star, Venus the exact opposite,. Of nearly continuous conflict with the creation of mankind his worshipers special Quetzalcoatl livery around the six... That tlaltcuhtli did how to worship quetzalcoatl destroy life his brothers, he left willingly a... The east is represented by Xipe Totec who is the creator of all people the. Hernn Corts was hailed as the same god with a long beard links. Then, are the people that still inhabit the world he had given people maize, or corn, is! Was the one from the underworld to the bones and create mankind Corts in belief! The colonizers to honor him rains that renewed the earth itself why many deities... On himself to give life to the wind its swirling design represents the wind, spirit of,! 787-9 Dreamliner painted in a dream Winged serpent & quot ; or & ;!, who led the Spaniards, was first invited into the Maya lands temples. Circular temples were believed to please Ehcatl because they offered no sharp to! Regions people to his cult massive pyramid dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship reincarnation story seems to come its. Mingling of his earliest myths and some form of a hat that already a how to worship quetzalcoatl him... Than a thousand years, a rare bird species found in Theotihuacan during the how to worship quetzalcoatl... Also interpreted in different cultures of Mesoamerica during different eras the same as the morning,!
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