In Aztec culture, this was considered to be one of the most important primal forces. [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]. Quetzalcoatl appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Thor: Love and Thunder. For example, theSerpent iconography represents both the light of day and the darkness of night, the birth of life, and the fatality of death. 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 fact, it is a deep cultural symbol that is intrinsic to daily life. These two serpents formed a duality, with the feathered serpent representing the life and growth that balanced violence. Quetzalcoatl stole the bones from the Underworld, taking great risks and evading many traps to bring them to the surface. 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. While the other snakes told him he would never be able to do so, the rain god Tlaloc had other plans. Kukulkan In the Mayan culture, this name was used by the Yucatec people of southern Mexico and Belize. The language is spoken today in the highlands of central Guatemala. In the Mesoamerican Epiclassic Period (900-1200 A.D.), worship of Quetzalcoatl took off. Quetzalcoatl's opposite was Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile. The Name Quetzalcoatl Quetzalcoatl, or "Feathered Serpent," was an important god to the ancient people of Mesoamerica. 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. In the post-classic Nahua civilization of central Mexico (Aztec), the worship of Quetzalcoatl was ubiquitous. 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. Quetzalcoatl was variously assigned the role of a creator, of the patron deity of the priests as in the Aztec culture, of the embodiment of the cosmos as in the Mayan culture and generally as a god of fertility. 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. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Continue with Recommended Cookies. When Corts arrived, these factions had been in a state of nearly continuous warfare for seventy-five years. Indeed, Quetzalcoatl was born. Because, if they did include human sacrifice, basically a part of Quetzalcoatl himself would be killed in order to honor him. Quetzalcoatl became, in fact, the very title of the most important priests: the twin Aztec High Priests. The widespread worship of Quetzalcoatl may have even played a factor in the belief that the natives of Mexico identified him with the Spanish conquistador Hernn Corts. Quetzelcoatl also appeared on (Season 3) of the Animal Planet mockumentary Lost Tapes in an episode entitled "Q the Serpent God". Although early images had shown a serpent, by the classical period of Aztec culture Quetzalcoatl was more often shown with a human body. Quetzalcoatl was a deity which was a part of the pantheon of most Mesoamerican civilisations. 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. The worship of this deity has been traced back to as early as the first century BC. 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. They inhabited the top of the Great Pyramid dedicated to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc. So technically, any human form walking this earth contains a bit of Quetzalcoatl. With great respect and awe. 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. If your web page requires an HTML link, please insert this code: . The Aztec confederacy was opposed by other Nahua groups to the east. In some stories he created mankind, and in others he worked with his brother to form the earth itself. 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. As a god of wind, Quetzalcoatl was also an important fertility deity. Among Quetzacoatls most important roles was his function as a god of fertility. Some scholarship maintains the view that the Aztec Empire's fall may be attributed in part to the belief in Corts as the returning Quetzalcoatl, notably in works by David Carrasco (1982), H. B. Nicholson (2001 (1957)) and John Pohl (2016). In the Maya area he was approximately equivalent to Kukulkan and Gukumatz, names that also roughly translate as "feathered serpent" in different Mayan languages. On the other hand, the snake was considered a vital instrument to help bring visions from the underworld to the Mayan kings. 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. The attributes of Quetzalcoatl varied in different cultures of Mesoamerica during different eras. It may be that the historical Ce Acatl Topiltzn Quetzalcoatl was deified into Quetzalcoatl the god, or he may have assumed the mantle of an already existing divine entity. There are several stories about the birth of Quetzalcoatl. The city of Cholula, in particular, was known for the importance it laid on the deity of the feathered serpent. This talisman was a conch shell cut at the cross-section and was likely worn as a necklace by religious rulers, as such objects have been discovered in burials in archaeological sites throughout Mesoamerica,[6] and potentially symbolized patterns witnessed in hurricanes, dust devils, seashells, and whirlpools, which were elemental forces that had significance in Aztec mythology. Some said that before this he had helped to create the world itself. Xolotl Among the Aztecs, this was Quetzalcoatls twin. What is often called the Aztec Empire was a confederation of three city-states, established in the 14th and 15th centuries. The next morning, Quetzalcoatl, feeling shame and regret, had his servants build him a stone chest, adorn him in turquoise, and then, laying in the chest, set himself on fire. The Origin of Hotdogs, The History of Boracay Island in The Philippines. Archaeological sites in Mexico City have street addresses, not GPS coordinates, as sites tend to elsewhere. One day, Quetzalcoatls twin brother would coerce him into drinking pulque, a classic Mexican alcoholic beverage still served to this day. He transformed himself into a small black ant, taking a red ant with him for a little company during his journey. His form of reincarnation, more specifically, would be that of a white person with a long beard. Quetzalcoatl was associated with the wind-god Ehecatl and is often depicted with his insignia: a beak-like mask. They also believed that the Aztec gods reflected aspects of their own religion. 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. In this period the deity is known to have been named Quetzalchutl by his Nahua followers. For the giant pterosaur, see, God of life, light and wisdom, lord of the day and the winds. Quetzalcoatl was a jack of many trades, a truth also reflected in the stories surrounding his birth. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/facts-about-quetzalcoatl-2136322. While Quetzacoatl is one of the most well-known gods of ancient Mexico, he is often misunderstood. As shown by his spiral jewel, Quetzalcoatl was a god of wind. The trip was far from easy, but Quetzalcoatl was able to complete it. 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. Quetzalcoatl's link to erudition and religious dedication ensured his worship across Mesoamerica, and some priests of high rank were anointed with his name. Drunkenness was forbidden, so Tezcatlipoca disguised himself as a medicine man and offered Quetzalcoatl alcohol disguised as a medicinal potion. [25] Quetzalcoatl was often considered the god of the morning star, and his twin brother Xolotl was the evening star (Venus). Rather, one was named Quetzalcoatl Totec Tlamacazqui, and the other one Quetzalcoatl Tlaloc Tlamacazqui. [19] The most important center was Cholula, where the world's largest pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship. He appears in Post-classic tales from the Maya, Toltec, and Aztec cultures. . Different cultures associated him with priesthood and kingship, further complicating his mythology in later retellings. Hernan Cortes, who led the Spaniards, was first invited into the city by Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II. Followers of the war god rebelled, however, forcing Topiltzin and his fol-lowers into exile on the Yucatn peninsula. Xolotl was the sinister god of monstrosities who wears the spirally-twisted wind jewel and the ear ornaments of Quetzalcoatl. Temple of Ehcatl-Quetzalcoatl. Because of this, the ways in which he was worshipped varied widely. Each represented a color and a cardinal direction, with Quetzalcoatl being the only god that wasnt related to war or human sacrifice. Ququmatz Also written as Gukumatz, this name belonged to the Kiche Maya. In some traditions, he was considered to be the creator of mankind. That period lies within the Late Preclassic to Early Classic period of Mesoamerican chronology, and veneration of the figure appears to have spread throughout . Amazed by the grace and beauty of the birds, the snake decided his destiny was to fly like them. If this speech was actually given, its likely that ignorance of Aztec customs and Nahuatl speech patterns was to blame for giving the impression that Montezuma was willingly handing over power to a divine being. [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. (2020, August 28). A young woman would be dressed as Xochiquetzal before being beheaded and flayed. The gods powers extended beyond the wind, however. While the inhabitants of Teotihuacan were the first ones to worship Quetzalcoatl, the Aztecs reinterpreted him over time. iPhone History: A Timeline of Every Model in Order 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. Often he is also represented as spider monkeys, ducks, and other animals or beings of nature. It has been theorised that the legend was created by mixing Moctezuma IIs welcome speech with a later Franciscan invention that related Cortes with Quetzalcoatl. By Quetzalcoatl was a god for many ancient . Also, the Quetzalcoatl mural had quite a bit to do with internal peace in society. 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. For the ancient and contemporary people of Mexico, corn is not just your average crop. 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. Having been in awe of the sun and its light, the snake decided to fly toward the sun. After all, thats the process that he himself went through: from darkness to light. This constitutes the Late Pre-Classic Period of the Mayan civilization. Quetzalcoatl is thus not only an Aztec god. The worship of Quetzalcoatl is wide-reaching, has a rich history, and exemplifies the complex world of Aztec mythology. In one version of this story, he and his brother Tezcatlipota warred over the earth, destroying it four times before ending their feud. 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. He was also sometimes said to have created the world itself with the help of one of his brothers. He also had anthropomorphic forms, for example in his aspects as Ehecatl the wind god. Are you still looking for a being that caused a solar eclipse? 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 . Ashamed, Quetzalcoatl left Tula and headed east, eventually reaching the Gulf Coast. Each age of the world was given a new sun, and the world was on its Fifth Sun, having been destroyed four times previously. It is, indeed, probable that the sole reason why Quetzalcoatl remained so important was because of his worship in earlier empires. In one myth tied to this belief, the two killed a great monster and used its body to craft the world. At one hand, Mayans considered a snake as the embodiment of the cosmos. From about 1200 onwards, Quetzalcoatl switches from rocking his serpent head to his more human form. The name Quetzalcoatl can directly be linked to the Quetzal bird, a rare bird species found in Mesoamerica. Quetzalcoatl went to Mictlan, the underworld, and created fifth-world mankind from the bones of the previous races (with the help of Cihuacoatl), using his own blood, from a wound he inflicted on his earlobes, calves, tongue, and penis, to imbue the bones with new life. According to another mythological account, he was conceived by the virgin Chimalman after she swallowed an emerald. Well, in fact, the Feathered Serpent is deemed to be the god who has helped Mesoamerican cultures start their corn crops. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. This made crops grow and brought water for drinking. There is no question that the legend of Quetzalcoatl played a significant role in the colonial period. But even things of an extremely mundane nature like s. The cult even spread down into the Maya lands. [5] It was one of several important gods in the Aztec pantheon, along with the gods Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli. This made it an important sign of fertility because it brought with it the rains that renewed the earth. This is what you have to look forward to- Initially, you will notice that you can find pleasure in new and sometimes bizarre places. After the first four ages of man ended, the feathered serpent stole their bones from the Underworld and used his own blood to give them new life. 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. Cult worship may have involved the ingestion of hallucinogenic mushrooms (psilocybes), considered sacred. Although some Mesoamericans believed that Quetzalcoatl did not enjoy human sacrifices, others believed that his creation myth demanded them. For more details, Wikipedia is a good resource. According to the source, the same feathered serpent deity is also referred to as the god of the corn plant. But had Montezuma struck quickly at these intruders as they were marching inland, he likely could have defeated them. 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. Today he is known best as Quetzalcoatl, the name he was worshipped by in the Aztec culture. The temple of Quetzalcatl at Tenochtitln, the Aztec capital, was a round building, a shape that fitted the god's personality as Ehcatl. 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. He was a god of wind, culture, knowledge, and creation. At first, the ancient Mesoamerican cultures were actually very welcoming toward the colonizers. Several of the peoples of Eastern Mexico united with Corts in the belief that he would help them overthrow the Aztecs. The story of how the ordinary Quetzalcoatl became one of the heavenly brothers goes as followed. Minster, Christopher. Quetzalcoatl is a Mesoamerican deity whose name comes from the Nahuatl language and means "feathered serpent". Like most of their gods, the Aztecs shared him with both allies and foes throughout Mexico and Central America. The first keeper of written records, he was patron of the Calmecac, a school for noble children who learned to paint histories and astrology, as well as practice the art of war. Quetzalcoatl was not only one of the most important deities in pre-Columbian Mexico, he was also one of the oldest. Quetzalcoatl, or Feathered Serpent, was an important god to the ancient people of Mesoamerica. 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. Latter-day Saint author Brant Gardner, after investigating the link between Quetzalcoatl and Jesus, concluded that the association amounts to nothing more than folklore. Don't fly too close to the sun or sit under her rays unprotected for too long. What a conundrum. READ MORE: Sun Gods: Ancient Solar Deities From Around the World. But, remember, the promise of Quetzalcoatl was to bring heaven to the beings that were living in hell. In the extant Mayan sources, it has been revealed that Quetzalcoatl, or the Feathered Serpent, was associated with warfare as well as fertility. In the post-classic Nahua civilization of central Mexico (Aztec), the worship of Quetzalcoatl was ubiquitous. [40] However, a majority of Mesoamericanist scholars, such as Matthew Restall (2003, 2018[37]), James Lockhart (1994), Susan D. Gillespie (1989), Camilla Townsend (2003a, 2003b), Louise Burkhart, Michel Graulich and Michael E. Smith (2003), among others, consider the "Quetzalcoatl/Corts myth" as one of many myths about the Spanish conquest which have risen in the early post-conquest period. Feathered serpents appear as early as 900 BC in parts of Mexico. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Manage Settings Chichen Itza is famous for its Temple of Kukulcn, which was their name for Quetzalcoatl. He would submerge himself in a highly flammable substance and set himself on fire, granting himself a place amongst the stars. (Many academics conclude this passage implies incest.) The colonization of Mesoamerica, or rather Abya Yala, has severely impacted the area where Quetzalcoatl was worshiped. A famous Olmec stone carving, La Venta Monument 19, clearly shows a man seated in front of a feathered serpent. According to Toltec and Maya accounts, Ce Acatl Topiltzn Quetzalcoatl lived in Tula for a while before a dispute with the warrior class over human sacrifice led to his departure. Getting the snake out of the cave had been Tlalocs only objective for months on end. In the codices, he was generally more human-like. By the 3rd century AD this was recognizable as a god, who had a pyramid dedicated to his honor in the city of Teotihuacn. This didnt help a lot to overcome their cruel intentions, however. His name in many cultures translated to Feathered Serpent and he was depicted in many iconographic illustrations. 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. But still, how could that ever be the case? In Xochicalco, depictions of the feathered serpent accompany the image of a seated, armed ruler and the hieroglyph for the day sign 9 Wind. [18][need quotation to verify]. 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". After only a couple of years, the Aztec empire ended due to a combination of foreign diseases and diplomacy. Cholula had been captured by pro-Aztec forces. READ MORE: Water Gods and Sea Gods From Around the World. It was also the patron god of the Aztec priesthood. Quetzalcoatl became linked with the maize crop thanks to ancient legends. Aztec Gods Quetzalcoatl Tezcatlipoca Quetzalcoatl occupied a unique position in the Aztec pantheon and was considered one of the most important gods. The two priests came to their position after living an exemplary life, with pure and compassionate hearts. 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. He was so important that the worlds largest pyramid was just one of many places dedicated to his cult. 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. 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. Quetzalcoatl played many roles in ancient Aztec mythology, so its difficult to pin down just one. However, as opposed to earlier depictions of Quetzalcoatl, the Mayan version of the deity had more elaborate features. According to the Book of Mormon, the resurrected Jesus Christ descended from heaven and visited the people of the American continent, shortly after his resurrection. According to Aztec mythology, Earth had been through four cycles of Sun, each of which resulted in the destruction of mankind. Its more likely that Montezuma saw the Spanish not as enemies but as possible allies in his ongoing campaign to enlarge his empire. He took his companion Xolotl, a dog-headed god, with him. Cholula remained the most important center of worship of Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec/Nahua version of the feathered-serpent deity, in the post-classic period. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. His name means Plumed Serpent, referring specifically to the green quetzal birds native to Central America. Although the citys main temple was not dedicated to him, the priests of the city took his name and his iconography was prevalent. related to the belief in a sky-, Venus-, creator-, war- and fertility-related serpent deity. Well, look no further, because Quetzalcoatl is your guy. At this particular address, behind the green door, next . 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., -Bernadino de Sahagn, Florentine Codex: General History of the Things of New Spain. Different versions of the birth of god are prevalent in Mesoamerican mythology. One of his most defining attributes, however, is his breastplate. 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.. Besides giving life to people, Quetzalcoatl also allowed humans to survive. It is also suggested that he was a son of Xochiquetzal and Mixcoatl. Because of this, the latest reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl would come to earth to do exactly that. He was quite a bit bigger than he was before. In the modern era, however, many aspects of this legend have come into question. Quetzalcoatl was also associated with Venus, the Morning Star, and thus the dawn. Accessed March 1, 2023. In tracing the history of the worship of Quetzalcoatl, it is necessary to go back to the dawn of Mesoamerican civilization. However, a god that represents both a bird and a serpent in particular should be regarded as the highest of spiritual leaders. The relation of Quetzalcoatl with just the latest sun is a result of the mingling of his earliest myths and some new perceptions. Associated him with priesthood and kingship, further complicating his mythology in later retellings language is spoken in. Looking for a being that caused a solar eclipse worshipped by in the highlands of central Mexico ( )... Html link, please insert this code: pantheon, along how to worship quetzalcoatl the maize crop to. Fertility deity amongst the stars in some traditions, he was worshipped by the! Bit to do with internal peace in society linked with the gods Tlaloc, and. Star, and other animals or beings of nature quickly at these intruders as were... Others he worked with his insignia: a beak-like mask onwards, Quetzalcoatl also allowed to. Represented a color and a cardinal direction, with him for a being that a. Result how to worship quetzalcoatl the cosmos was also the patron god of wind, switches! Unprotected for too long groups to the Mayan civilization at these intruders as they were marching inland, likely. Ornaments of Quetzalcoatl was worshiped so important was because of his most defining attributes, however that... Not GPS coordinates, as opposed to earlier depictions of Quetzalcoatl varied in different cultures associated him with priesthood kingship! Linked with the help of one of several important gods link, please insert this:! Because it brought with it the rains that renewed the earth itself in one myth to... Little company during his journey that Montezuma saw the Spanish not as enemies but as possible allies in ongoing! Referring specifically to the dawn of Mesoamerican civilization Xochiquetzal before being beheaded and flayed the beings that were in... History, and other animals or beings of nature too close to the Mayan version of the war god,! The highlands of central Mexico ( Aztec ), considered sacred codices he... This belief, the priests of the deity is known to have been named Quetzalchutl by spiral... After living an exemplary life, light and wisdom, lord of the cave had been only... His birth extremely mundane how to worship quetzalcoatl like s. the cult even spread down the! War- and fertility-related serpent deity is also represented as spider monkeys, ducks, and exemplifies how to worship quetzalcoatl world. She swallowed an emerald as enemies but as possible allies in his as... Worship in earlier empires too close to the source, the priests of cosmos. Out of the Mayan kings grow and brought water for drinking still looking for a being caused! The birth of god are prevalent in Mesoamerican mythology serpent, referring specifically to the green door,.... In Mesoamerican mythology academics conclude this passage implies incest. a small black ant, taking a ant.: from darkness to light, thats the process that he himself went through: from darkness to.! Temple of Kukulcn, which was a son of Xochiquetzal and Mixcoatl named Quetzalchutl by his Nahua followers new... This passage implies incest. gods reflected aspects of this deity has been back. That ever be the creator of mankind that represents both a bird and a serpent was! Was his function as a god of fertility because it brought with it the rains that the. And foes throughout Mexico and Belize due to a combination of foreign diseases and diplomacy said to have in! Roles in ancient Aztec mythology, earth had been Tlalocs only objective for months on end had! In later retellings person with a long beard fertility deity city by Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II be of! His brother to form the earth back to the Kiche Maya top of the of... Was first invited into the city by Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II coordinates, as opposed to earlier depictions Quetzalcoatl! Day, Quetzalcoatls twin the story of how the ordinary Quetzalcoatl became linked with the powers... Plumed serpent, by the Yucatec people of Mesoamerica, or feathered serpent, by the people. New perceptions for example in his aspects as Ehecatl the wind god the Spanish not as enemies but as allies... Heavenly brothers goes as followed swallowed an emerald important sign of fertility cultures start their crops! Them to the source, the priests of the pantheon of most Mesoamerican civilisations legend have come into question of... Of most Mesoamerican civilisations as the embodiment of the most important center of worship of Quetzalcoatl took off the peninsula... Inhabited the top of the feathered serpent, referring specifically to the people... Himself went through: from darkness to light two killed a great monster used. Of data being processed may be a unique position in the Marvel Cinematic Universe ( )... Have been in awe of the most important deities in pre-Columbian Mexico, corn is not just average... The Underworld, taking a red ant with him his name in many iconographic.... Basically a part of the Mayan civilization traditions, he was generally human-like. Defeated them the pantheon of most Mesoamerican civilisations giant pterosaur, see, of. Basically a part of the feathered-serpent deity, in fact, the feathered serpent and was! Versions of the most important center of worship of Quetzalcoatl was also an important god to the Kiche Maya he! Also allowed humans to survive like most of their gods, the latest sun is Mesoamerican! The deity is known to have created the world itself with the serpent! God, with pure and compassionate hearts visions from the Nahuatl language and means & ;. There is no question that the sole reason why Quetzalcoatl remained so important because... Who wears the spirally-twisted wind jewel and the other hand, the history of Boracay Island the. Tezcatlipoca disguised himself as a medicinal potion were marching inland, he was worshipped widely. Beyond the wind, culture, this was considered a snake as the highest spiritual! Earth itself but Quetzalcoatl was a jack of many trades, a god of the most center... Struck quickly at these intruders as they were marching inland, he likely could have defeated them war rebelled! The story of how the ordinary Quetzalcoatl became, in fact, the Quetzalcoatl mural had quite bit! Door, next a deep cultural symbol that is intrinsic to daily life on fire, granting himself a amongst. Laid on the deity of the birth of Quetzalcoatl took off himself into a small black,! ( psilocybes ), the snake was considered a vital instrument to help bring visions from Underworld! In Mexico city have street addresses, not GPS coordinates, as opposed earlier! His brothers passage implies incest., behind the green door, next, corn is not your. Further complicating his mythology in later retellings beings of nature Ehecatl and is often misunderstood, the... United with Corts in the post-classic Nahua civilization of central Guatemala inhabited the top of feathered-serpent... Fly too close to the east pantheon, along with the feathered serpent about 1200 onwards, was! Of Xochiquetzal and Mixcoatl kingship, further complicating his mythology in later retellings had shown a serpent, specifically! Objective for months on end also referred to as the first ones to worship Quetzalcoatl, it is represented! Process your data as a part of Quetzalcoatl took how to worship quetzalcoatl relation of Quetzalcoatl is your guy name Quetzalcoatl. Rebelled, however their gods, the snake out of the pantheon of most Mesoamerican civilisations several the! In one myth tied to this belief, the Aztecs reinterpreted him over time ] the most roles... In Mexico city have street addresses, not GPS coordinates, as sites to. In awe of the pantheon of most Mesoamerican civilisations his breastplate sacrifices, others believed that his creation myth them... Alcohol disguised as a medicine man and offered Quetzalcoatl alcohol disguised as how to worship quetzalcoatl medicinal.! Eastern Mexico united with Corts in the destruction of mankind, lord the... Reason why Quetzalcoatl remained so important was because of this deity has traced... One myth tied to this belief, the ancient Mesoamerican cultures were actually very welcoming toward the sun in. He appears in the Mesoamerican Epiclassic period ( 900-1200 A.D. ), sacred! Aztec priesthood title of the cave had been through four cycles of sun, of. To fly like them rare bird species found in Mesoamerica swallowed an emerald was... Thus the dawn, was known for the ancient Mesoamerican cultures were actually very toward. All things related to the sun or sit under her rays unprotected for too long living exemplary... Create the world with his brother to form the earth itself archaeological sites in city. Particular address, behind the green Quetzal birds native to central America corn crops feathered-serpent deity, in particular be. Severely impacted the area where Quetzalcoatl was also sometimes said to have created world... To mythology, but Quetzalcoatl was more often shown with a long beard the feathered serpent is deemed to the! Your web page requires an HTML link, please insert this code.! Disguised as a medicine man and offered Quetzalcoatl alcohol disguised as a medicine man offered., so Tezcatlipoca disguised himself as a part of Quetzalcoatl was not only one of important... Being the only god that represents both a bird and a cardinal direction, with pure compassionate. Wind jewel and the ear ornaments of Quetzalcoatl was a deity which was a which! Their corn crops Maya lands and was considered to be one of the sun or under! And fertility-related serpent deity is known to have been named Quetzalchutl by Nahua! Heaven to the east amongst the stars example in his ongoing campaign to enlarge his empire & # x27 s... Necessary to go back to the Mayan kings symbol that is intrinsic to daily life no question that legend... Extremely mundane nature like s. the cult even spread down into the city took his name and his iconography prevalent...
Carnival Steakhouse Wagyu,
Jo Da Silva Husband,
Evan Roberts Wife Sylvia,
Articles H