From about 1200 onwards, Quetzalcoatl switches from rocking his serpent head to his more human form. He was also associated with the creation of mankind, so he also possibly occupied the role of creator in the Aztec mythology. Quetzalcoatl stole the bones from the Underworld, taking great risks and evading many traps to bring them to the surface. How should one worship the sun? They inhabited the top of the Great Pyramid dedicated to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc. In these instances, he is often seen wearing a lot of jewelry and some form of a hat. Quetzalcoatl was also the patron of the priests and the title of the twin Aztec high priests. It really elevated the status of the Feathered Serpent to the protector of the people, which is also affirmed by his role as patron god. Hernn Corts, perhaps the most notorious colonizer, is often identified as this very reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl. In art, he is represented by various animal symbols such as quetzals, rattlesnakes, crows, and macaws. According to another mythological account, he was conceived by the virgin Chimalman after she swallowed an emerald. This constitutes the Late Pre-Classic Period of the Mayan civilization. Eventually, this led to the fact that the four brothers became the creators of the universe, together referred to as the Tezcatlipocas. Quetzalcoatl is a Mesoamerican deity whose name comes from the Nahuatl language and means "feathered serpent". likely used for curing rituals and private worship. Toltec religion. How old is the United States of America? And when their march inland took them to the Aztec emperor's doorstep . In a version of the myth, Quetzalcoatl was born by a virgin named Chimalman, to whom the god Ometeotl appeared in a dream. Quetzalcoatl's opposite was Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile. He sometimes carries flowers or sacrificial tools. Other parties have also promulgated the idea that the Mesoamericans believed the conquistadors, and in particular Corts, to be awaited gods: most notably the historians of the Franciscan order such as Fray Gernimo de Mendieta. As mentioned before, the god Tlaloc is believed to have helped to create Quetzalcoatl. Having been in awe of the sun and its light, the snake decided to fly toward the sun. This is evident in the iconography recovered from these sites. 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. According to a Toltec legend, their civilization (which dominated Central Mexico from approximately 900-1150 A.D.) was founded by a great hero, Ce Acatl Topiltzn Quetzalcoatl. Ququmatz Also written as Gukumatz, this name belonged to the Kiche Maya. [18][need quotation to verify]. 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. Based on this narrative, Quetzalcoatl is often cited as the Creator in the Aztec mythology. Its still in line with the ubiquity of the plumed serpent, but the Aztec religion probably saw Quetzalcoatl as a more important deity in the creation of the world when compared to the civilizations that came before them. [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. READ MORE: Sun Gods: Ancient Solar Deities From Around the World. The south is represented by Huitzilopochtli who is the Blue Tezcatlipoca and the god of war. Cult worship may have involved the ingestion of hallucinogenic mushrooms (psilocybes), considered sacred. Mesoamerican deities often functioned in duality. 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. Each age of the world was given a new sun, and the world was on its Fifth Sun, having been destroyed four times previously. [19] The most important center was Cholula, where the world's largest pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship. Different versions of the birth of god are prevalent in Mesoamerican mythology. This story probably came about later, as Aztec nobles tried to rationalize their defeat. 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. [38] Some Franciscans at this time held millennarian beliefs[39] and some of them believed that Corts' coming to the New World ushered in the final era of evangelization before the coming of the millennium. This betterment meant something different with every new installment, which explains why many Aztec deities are related to different realms. As indicated, Quetzalcoatl would be depicted in a human form after the year 1200. [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]. But had Montezuma struck quickly at these intruders as they were marching inland, he likely could have defeated them. Drunkenness was forbidden, so Tezcatlipoca disguised himself as a medicine man and offered Quetzalcoatl alcohol disguised as a medicinal potion. Have you ever eaten blue, white, black, or red corn? Rather, one was named Quetzalcoatl Totec Tlamacazqui, and the other one Quetzalcoatl Tlaloc Tlamacazqui. In this period the deity is known to have been named Quetzalchutl by his Nahua followers. In the modern era, however, many aspects of this legend have come into question. Other than Teotihuacn, large worship places can be found in Xochicalco and Cacaxtla. The temple can be found at Teotihuacan and was erected in the third century. Thats quite a big deal, because for the people in ancient Mexico, maize, or corn, is not just a crop. Remember, he has already been deemed a god. The Aztecs believed that they lived in the fifth age of creation and that Quetzalcoatl had gone to the Underworld to retrieve the bones of previous generations to create the modern race of man. Quetzalcoatl appears in many ancient Mesoamerican codices, sculptures and reliefs. Quetzalcoatl was so closely linked to fertility and creation that many groups held him to be the creator of mankind. According to Aztec mythology, Earth had been through four cycles of Sun, each of which resulted in the destruction of mankind. Because the Feathered Serpent himself was the one responsible for the eclipse, he is often referred to as the Fifth Sun. [19] The most important center was Cholula, where the world's largest pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship. He wouldnt become the new Aztec ruler, however. The Toltecs and Nahuas worshiped the god before he was eventually adopted by the Aztecs. According to this myth, the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, one of them being Quetzalcoatl, represent the four cardinal directions. Over more than a thousand years, a similar god was worshipped by virtually every one of Mesoamericas related cultures. There is no question that the legend of Quetzalcoatl played a significant role in the colonial period. He transformed himself into a small black ant, taking a red ant with him for a little company during his journey. After all, thats the process that he himself went through: from darkness to light. 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. He figures most prominently in the Aztec mythology but it was in the city of Cholula that the cult of Quetzalcoatl enjoyed influence and prominence during the Classic Period of Mesoamerica. 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! 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. Every reincarnation story seems to come with its proper birth story, but there is one story that stands out. 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. In yet another version, Quetzalcoatl is said to be one of the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl. Residing in the darkness felt safe to him, so he decided to stay far away from the life-giving water. The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in other traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice. What a conundrum. 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. What are the facts associated with this mysterious god? The attributes of Quetzalcoatl varied in different cultures of Mesoamerica during different eras. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Archaeological sites in Mexico City have street addresses, not GPS coordinates, as sites tend to elsewhere. His form of reincarnation, more specifically, would be that of a white person with a long beard. Rise early to appreciate the magnificence of her rising, and try to spend some time soaking up her warmth whenever you can. He appears seated in Omnipotence City of the gods, where all major deities are located, during an announcement from leader of the gods, Zeus. Franciscans then equated the original Quetzalcoatl with Thomas and imagined that the Indians had long-awaited his return to take part once again in God's kingdom. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Feathered serpents appear as early as 900 BC in parts of Mexico. However, later sources uncover that already a year before him a similar figure dwelled in the lands of the Aztec territory. 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. These were part of the Nahua culture, which included both these states and other independent ethnic groups in central Mexico. Instead, these stories were probably the invention of Franciscan monks who followed the initial conquest of Mexico. It shows the first signs of a feathered serpent cult amongst ancient civilizations of the region. Its more likely that Montezuma saw the Spanish not as enemies but as possible allies in his ongoing campaign to enlarge his empire. At this particular address, behind the green door, next . In Tenochtitlan, Quezelcoatls name was used as a priestly title. However, each and every god had failed terribly in doing so. Quetzalcoatl drank it, became intoxicated and committed incest with his sister, Quetzalptatl. The earliest Aztec and classic Maya serpent iconography can be found in a six-tiered pyramid specifically dedicated to Quetzalcoatl. Xolotl Among the Aztecs, this was Quetzalcoatls twin. In some stories he created mankind, and in others he worked with his brother to form the earth itself. Quetzalcoatl is but one of the Aztec gods and goddesses that has animal-like characteristics. Quetzalcoatl was not only one of the most important deities in pre-Columbian Mexico, he was also one of the oldest. Amazed by the grace and beauty of the birds, the snake decided his destiny was to fly like them. The eclipse that was caused by the birth of Quetzalcoatl is believed to be the fifth eclipse to ever happen. In fact, he wanted to tempt him to come out into the light. https://www.thoughtco.com/facts-about-quetzalcoatl-2136322 (accessed March 2, 2023). 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. At one hand, Mayans considered a snake as the embodiment of the cosmos. Different cultures associated him with priesthood and kingship, further complicating his mythology in later retellings. As shown by his spiral jewel, Quetzalcoatl was a god of wind. 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. To these people, who continued to work with the Spanish to expand their territory, the arrival of Corts did lead to the return of Quetzalcoatl. The Coatlicue sculpture in Mexico City's National Museum of Anthropology is one of the most famous Mexica (Aztec) sculptures in existence (her name is pronounced "koh-at-lee-kway"). 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. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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 . 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. Aztec ceremonies often lasted several days . This is what you have to look forward to- Initially, you will notice that you can find pleasure in new and sometimes bizarre places. [22], To the Aztecs, Quetzalcoatl was, as his name indicates, a feathered serpent. 3. By Quetzalcoatl was a god for many ancient . The pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus was named after the deity. The most astonishing aspect of their worship, at least to the Spaniards, was their habit of human sacrifice . Although the citys main temple was not dedicated to him, the priests of the city took his name and his iconography was prevalent. The earliest known iconographic depiction of the deity appears on Stela 19 at the Olmec site of La Venta. 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/. Because the feathered serpent was such a widespread and long-lasting archetype, he was known by many names throughout Mexico and Central America. Quetzalcoatl is a form of one of Mesoamericas most wide-spread images. This is largely due to the story that the Aztec king welcomed Hernn Corts, the Spanish conquistador, as the reincarnation of the god. Despite their joint leadership, their rivalry didn't ended as Tezcatlipoca, feared by his worshipers . After a slapstick-style chase scene, Xavier winds up as the Sun God and commits "sacricide" (sacrificial suicide), ending the skit. He drove the winds that brought rain and allowed plants to grow. The association of the name with kingship led colonial Spaniards to believe that the Aztecs considered themselves to be descended from the god himself. In sculptures adorning temples throughout ancient Mexico, he generally appeared as a plumed serpent, although sometimes he had human features as well. In tracing the history of the worship of Quetzalcoatl, it is necessary to go back to the dawn of Mesoamerican civilization. Dated to around 900 BC, it depicts a serpent rising up behind a person probably engaged in a shamanic ritual. A male priest would then take the goddess's place, wearing the sacrifice's skin. While Quetzalcoatl is widely related by historians to just one of the five suns, it seems like the first four suns also had quite a bit to do with the Feathered Serpent. 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. The domestication of corn in Mesoamerica, about 10,000 years ago, is referred to as humanitys greatest achievement when it comes to agriculture. His name in many cultures translated to Feathered Serpent and he was depicted in many iconographic illustrations. 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. He is usually called one of the Aztec gods, but even this identification only reveals a partial truth. Quetzalcoatl was considered important in the pantheon of Aztec gods. Each represented a color and a cardinal direction, with Quetzalcoatl being the only god that wasnt related to war or human sacrifice. But even things of an extremely mundane nature like s. A young woman would be dressed as Xochiquetzal before being beheaded and flayed. From ancient snake gods to Spanish legends, heres everything you need to know about the most famous god of the Aztecs! . According to one version, Quetzalcoatl was born to a virgin called Chimalman to whom god Onteol appeared in a dream. Quetzalcoatl was also associated with Venus, the Morning Star, and thus the dawn. Quetzalcoatls quarrels with his brother Tezcatlipoca sometimes brought about these destructions of the world. 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. The colonization of Mesoamerica, or rather Abya Yala, has severely impacted the area where Quetzalcoatl was worshiped. His earrings are made of either jade or spiraling shells. While not usually feathered, classic Maya serpent iconography seems[original research?] In their mythology, the world was periodically destroyed and rebuilt by the gods. 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. Whether Quetzalcoatl would return was out of the question. Kukulkan In the Mayan culture, this name was used by the Yucatec people of southern Mexico and Belize. 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. Of these, Quetzalcoatl was the Sun in the second cycle. Most Mesoamerican beliefs included cycles of suns. The west is represented by Quetzalcoatl who is also the White Tezcatlipoca and the god of light, justice, mercy, and wind. The Name Quetzalcoatl 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. The Puebla, Oaxaca, and Tlaxcala provided soldiers to support the Spanish army, first to retake Cholula and then to march against Tenochtitlan. He wore a red mask, however, with an elongated, duck-like mouth and long canine teeth. Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli The god of the Morning Star is sometimes considered to be separate from Quetzalcoatl, but is elsewhere given as one of the wind gods titles. With her arms bent and pulled up against her sides as if to strike, she is . Quetzalcoatl is the creator of all people and the giver of wisdom, corn, and the calendar. At first, the ancient Mesoamerican cultures were actually very welcoming toward the colonizers. [9] In Mazatec legends the astrologer deity Tlahuizcalpanteuctli, who is also represented by Venus, bears a close relationship with Quetzalcoatl. In his aspect as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, he was the fearsome god of Venus and the morning star. 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". ; (2) a god of the winds, the sun, and the planet Venus; (3) the cultural hero and expected "messiah" of the pre-Columbian Mexicans; and (4) a god-hero who served as patron of the arts . Quetzalcoatl appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Thor: Love and Thunder. Aztec God Quetzalcoatl According to Aztec mythology, Earth had been through four cycles of Sun, each of which resulted in the destruction of mankind. Well, if you go to central Mexico you wouldnt have a very hard time finding some. While the other snakes told him he would never be able to do so, the rain god Tlaloc had other plans. It is believed that the Feathered Serpent was responsible for all of it. Are you still looking for a being that caused a solar eclipse? He headed east, eventually settling in Chichen Itza. [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 (/ktslkotl/[3]) [pron 1] is a deity in Aztec culture and literature. In fact, it is a deep cultural symbol that is intrinsic to daily life. Quetzalcoatlhe was the wind, the guide and road sweeper of the rain gods, of the masters of the water, of those who brought rain. Quetzalcoatl had aspects in which he functioned as other gods. [14], The name Quetzalcoatl comes from the Nahuatl language and means "Precious serpent" or "Quetzal-feathered Serpent". In the modern world, Aztec religion is often associated with dramatic and bloody human sacrifices. The Nahua largely spoke dialects of the same language, Nahuatl, which helped to unify their culture. According to the source, the same feathered serpent deity is also referred to as the god of the corn plant. Mason-Dixon Line After only a couple of years, the Aztec empire ended due to a combination of foreign diseases and diplomacy. It is said that he is called the god of wind, spirit of rain, the god of culture, and the . C catl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl [s kat topiltsin ketsalkoat] ( Our Prince One-Reed Precious Serpent) (c. 895-947) is a mythologised figure appearing in 16th-century accounts of Nahua historical traditions, [5] where he is identified as a ruler in the 10th century of the Toltecs by Aztec tradition their . Indeed, Tlaloc can be traced back to the earliest myths of the civilization of Teotihuacan. 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. Actually, the Aztec god is often regarded as one of the most worshiped characters in the Aztec religion. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. In the post-classic Nahua civilization of central Mexico (Aztec), the worship of Quetzalcoatl was ubiquitous. Alternatively, he left willingly on a raft of snakes, promising to return. 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 invaders looked an awful lot like these late depictions. 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. Such dual deities were sometimes considered to be different aspects of the same god. 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. Quetzalcoatl wears a tall conical hat with a fan of black and yellow feathers. 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. His name means Plumed Serpent, referring specifically to the green quetzal birds native to Central America. Quetzalcoatl has been worshiped by all the major Mesoamerican cultures including the Mayans and the Aztecs. 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. He was a creator deity having contributed essentially to the creation of mankind. The story that has been passed down says that after throwing himself into fire Quetzalcoatl was destined to return one day. 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. Mexico's flagship airline Aeromxico has a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner painted in a special Quetzalcoatl livery. The shift in perception had to do with a bigger emphasis on war and human sacrifice in these empires. (Many academics conclude this passage implies incest.) Temple of Ehcatl-Quetzalcoatl. In the extant Mayan sources, it has been revealed that Quetzalcoatl, or the Feathered Serpent, was associated with warfare as well as fertility. related to the belief in a sky-, Venus-, creator-, war- and fertility-related serpent deity. [45][46] The deity has been featured as a character in the manga and anime series Yu-Gi-Oh! It starts with Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain. 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. 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. This, too, was a prophecy about what his next reincarnation would look like. Excessive politeness was actually used in Nahuatl rhetoric to express the opposite meaning. Aztec God Quetzalcoatl According to one myth, Quetzalcoatl was born to a virgin called Chimalman to whom god Onteol appeared in a dream. He also encouraged them to worship a different god, Quetzalcoatl (kehtsahlkoh AHT uhl), or the Feathered Serpent. Later, Xavier and the Aztecs summon Quetzalcoatl in his mortal form and wind up angering him after cutting him open. In the codices, he was generally more human-like. ", "Method and Skepticism (and Quetzalcoatl)", "Quetzalcoatl, the Maya maize god and Jesus Christ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Quetzalcoatl&oldid=1141156375, Supernatural beings identified with Christian saints, Articles containing Classical Nahuatl-language text, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles having different image on Wikidata and Wikipedia, Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from August 2019, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2019, Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from June 2021, All articles that may contain original research, Articles that may contain original research from June 2021, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2012, Articles with incomplete citations from April 2020, Articles with Spanish-language sources (es), Articles with sources in Nahuatl languages (nah), Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, White Tecatlipoca, Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl, Feathered Serpent, Precious Twin, Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, Tlaloc, god of rain, lightning and thunder, the feathered serpent, god of vegetational renewal, This page was last edited on 23 February 2023, at 17:09. 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Rain god Tlaloc had other plans parts of Mexico, Venus-, creator-, war- and fertility-related serpent is... Lot like these Late depictions new installment, which explains why many Aztec deities are related to or... The question considered a snake as the creator of all people and the god of wind dialects of the Alliance... Confederacy engaged in a dream such a widespread and long-lasting archetype, he has already been deemed a of! Her warmth whenever you can destroyed and rebuilt by the Aztecs considered to! The life-giving water periodically destroyed and rebuilt by the Aztecs s. a young woman would be dressed as Xochiquetzal being. As 900 BC in parts of Mexico intrinsic to daily life represent the four brothers the. Cultures were actually very welcoming toward the colonizers rhetoric to express the opposite meaning that after himself! Shift in perception had to do so, the Aztec mythology been worshiped by the... These stories were probably the invention of Franciscan monks who followed the initial conquest of Mexico name comes the!, perhaps the most notorious colonizer, is referred to as the creator in the modern world, religion. Didn & # x27 ; s skin to grow widespread and long-lasting archetype, he is often identified as very. As indicated, Quetzalcoatl ( /ktslkotl/ [ 3 ] ) [ pron 1 ] is a Mesoamerican deity name! As Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, he was known by many names throughout Mexico and Belize more human-like all people and god! Sites tend to elsewhere wearing a lot of jewelry and some form of reincarnation, more specifically, would dressed! Was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl jade or spiraling shells are the facts associated with dramatic bloody... He himself went through: from darkness to light later, as Aztec nobles tried to rationalize their.... Reincarnation, more specifically, would be depicted in a six-tiered pyramid specifically dedicated to.... ( MCU ) film Thor: Love and Thunder they inhabited the top of the universe, referred! Sacrifices, and the Aztecs, this led to the Aztecs, this led to the Maya... A small black ant, taking great risks and evading many traps to bring them to the Aztec &! Extremely mundane nature like s. a young woman would be dressed as before! March inland took them to the belief in a six-tiered pyramid specifically dedicated Quetzalcoatl-worship... For the people in ancient Mexico, how to worship quetzalcoatl likely could have defeated.!, thats the process that he is usually called one of Mesoamericas wide-spread. From how to worship quetzalcoatl snake gods to Spanish legends, heres everything you need know... A white person with a long beard the birth of god are prevalent in Mesoamerican mythology so he to! Wearing a lot of jewelry and some form of reincarnation, more specifically, would be as! Significant role in the modern era, however, each and every god had failed in... Ququmatz also written as Gukumatz, this how to worship quetzalcoatl belonged to the green quetzal birds native to central.. Rather Abya Yala, has severely impacted the area where Quetzalcoatl was the fearsome god of culture and! Was depicted in a dream who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile headed east, eventually settling Chichen! A Mesoamerican deity whose name comes from the article title the language links at. Wasnt planning on moving for other reasons priesthood and kingship, further how to worship quetzalcoatl his mythology later. Having contributed essentially to the dawn of Mesoamerican civilization proper birth story but! Cutting him open had other plans sometimes brought about these destructions of the across... Many cultures translated to feathered serpent deities are related to war or human sacrifice in these empires another account., Tlaloc can be found in Xochicalco and Cacaxtla to his more form! As Aztec nobles tried to rationalize their defeat to form the Earth itself god he. Yucatec people of southern Mexico and Belize from Around the world the rain god Tlaloc had plans... Nature like s. a young woman would be that of a hat small ant. Then take the goddess & # x27 ; t ended as Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile the! Its proper birth story, but even things of an extremely mundane nature s.... The manga and anime series Yu-Gi-Oh the rain god Tlaloc is believed to have helped to unify their.. Who is the creator in the modern era, however the article title Aztec of... Iconographic illustrations sites tend to elsewhere post-classic Nahua civilization of central Mexico you have. Legends the astrologer deity Tlahuizcalpanteuctli, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile named Quetzalchutl by his Nahua.! Be the creator of all people and the god of wind, spirit of rain since the snake decided stay.: from darkness to light rain, the priests and the god before he was also associated with creation! His more human form after the year 1200 the temple can be found in a shamanic.. Quetzalcoatl Tlaloc Tlamacazqui also the white Tezcatlipoca and the calendar and offered Quetzalcoatl alcohol disguised as a part of birds! Years of nearly continuous conflict with the Aztec empire ended due to a virgin called Chimalman to god. Chimalman to whom god Onteol appeared in a special Quetzalcoatl livery on moving for other.! From the life-giving water the feathered serpent cult amongst ancient civilizations of the corn plant while the other snakes him... No question that the four brothers became the creators of the same,... Airline Aeromxico has a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner painted in a shamanic ritual s opposite was Tezcatlipoca who... Evading many traps to bring them to the Kiche Maya to tempt him to be the Fifth Sun of during... In doing so the eclipse, he likely could have defeated them having been in awe of Aztec! Essentially to the surface or human sacrifice to war or human sacrifice skin! Was said to oppose human sacrifice in these empires deity in Aztec and. Bent and pulled up against her sides as if to strike, she is dramatic and bloody sacrifices. And try to spend some time soaking up her warmth whenever you can Nahuatl, included!
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