What a conundrum. As the morning star, he was known by the title Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, meaning "lord of the star of the dawn". The four suns before Quetzalcoatl had been destroyed by disastrous events, like floods, fires, and volcanic eruptions. The most astonishing aspect of their worship, at least to the Spaniards, was their habit of human sacrifice . 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. It is not a coincidence that Quetzalcoatl is just as often referred to as the Feathered Serpent by his worshipers and historians. They kept the same gods but believed in a new story. This, too, meant the end of the god Quetzalcoatl. Quetzalcoatl wears a tall conical hat with a fan of black and yellow feathers. From about 1200 onwards, Quetzalcoatl switches from rocking his serpent head to his more human form. 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. (Many academics conclude this passage implies incest.) Ashamed, Quetzalcoatl left Tula and headed east, eventually reaching the Gulf Coast. In Aztec culture, this was considered to be one of the most important primal forces. Quetzalcoatl is the most recognizable name among the Aztec gods. The first documented worship of Quetzalcoatl is found in Theotihuacan during the first century BC or first century AD. Furthermore, he saw the Quetzal birds flying in the sky, which was also something he had never seen before. In an example from Yaxchilan, the Vision Serpent has the human face of the young maize-god, further suggesting a connection to fertility and vegetational renewal; the Maya Young Maize god was also connected to Venus. The worship of this deity has been traced back to as early as the first century BC. However, as opposed to earlier depictions of Quetzalcoatl, the Mayan version of the deity had more elaborate features. In this period the deity is known to have been named Quetzalchutl by his Nahua followers. Each age of the world was given a new sun, and the world was on its Fifth Sun, having been destroyed four times previously. To create humans, Quetzalcoatl had to go into the Underworld and collect some bones. The worship of Miclantecuhtli was ongoing with the arrival of Europeans in the Americas. In yet another version, Quetzalcoatl is said to be one of the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl. . The archaeological record shows that after the fall of Teotihuacan that marked the beginning of the epi-classic period in Mesoamerican chronology around 600 AD, the cult of the feathered serpent spread to new religious and political centers in central Mexico, centers such as Xochicalco, Cacaxtla and Cholula. While the temple was dedicated to two other deities, Quetzalcoatl still seems to be the main guest at the party because of his relationship with the inhabitants. ", "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. In mythology, he is a gentle god who loves peace, and it is said that he bestowed many blessings to the humans. The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in other traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice.Mesoamerican priests and kings would sometimes take the name of a deity they were associated with, so Quetzalcoatl and Kukulcan are also the names of historical persons. Quetzalcoatl wasnt all that happy with it, however. 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 . Feathered serpents appear as early as 900 BC in parts of Mexico. 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. Minster, Christopher. [44], Quetzalcoatl was fictionalized in the 1982 film Q as a monster that terrorizes New York City. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Gods of Death His emotional bond with the shy snake grew during this period, so he decided to help him realize his dreams. He used his own blood from wounds he inflicted on himself to give life to the bones and create mankind. In the modern world, Aztec religion is often associated with dramatic and bloody human sacrifices. Quetzalcoatl has been worshiped by all the major Mesoamerican cultures including the Mayans and the Aztecs. As indicated, Quetzalcoatl would be depicted in a human form after the year 1200. For this reason, it is also believed that offers to Quetzalcoatl were one of only a few that should not include human sacrifice. 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. Although the citys main temple was not dedicated to him, the priests of the city took his name and his iconography was prevalent. [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. By the 3rd century AD this was recognizable as a god, who had a pyramid dedicated to his honor in the city of Teotihuacn. With great respect and awe. Today he is known best as Quetzalcoatl, the name he was worshipped by in the Aztec culture. Like most Mesoamerican gods, he was shown with a standard set of attributes. 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. As the story goes, the Aztec believed in a white, bearded god named Quetzalcoatl, who, long ago, had disappeared into the east. Quetzalcoatl had aspects in which he functioned as other gods. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Thats quite a big deal, because for the people in ancient Mexico, maize, or corn, is not just a crop. The Toltecs greatly venerated Quetzalcoatl at their capital of Tula, and other major cities at the time also worshiped the feathered serpent. During the Post-Classic Period (900AD-1519AD), the main center of Quetzalcoatls worship was Cholula. At first, the ancient Mesoamerican cultures were actually very welcoming toward the colonizers. READ MORE: Water Gods and Sea Gods From Around the World. The Church of Latter Day Saints, better known as the Mormons, teaches that Jesus Christ walked the Earth after his resurrection, spreading the word of Christianity to all corners of the globe. Don't fly too close to the sun or sit under her rays unprotected for too long. The gods powers extended beyond the wind, however. His name means Plumed Serpent, referring specifically to the green quetzal birds native to Central America. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. For example, theSerpent iconography represents both the light of day and the darkness of night, the birth of life, and the fatality of death. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. He drove the winds that brought rain and allowed plants to grow. While not usually feathered, classic Maya serpent iconography seems[original research?] 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"). There is no question that the legend of Quetzalcoatl played a significant role in the colonial period. There was one way that would certainly work, namely by letting it rain so abundantly that the snake simply drifted out of the cave. There, they greatly influenced late Mayan culture. The Aztecs did have their own story surrounding Quetzalcoatl becoming one of the brothers. The Teotihuacan iconographical depictions are often interpreted as a version where Quetzalcoatl played the role of a fertility-related serpent deity. [9] In Mazatec legends the astrologer deity Tlahuizcalpanteuctli, who is also represented by Venus, bears a close relationship with Quetzalcoatl. Others said that he had invented the calendar and books. 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. Colonial documentary sources from the Maya area frequently speak of the arrival of foreigners from the central Mexican plateau, often led by a man whose name translates as "Feathered Serpent". An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Whether Quetzalcoatl would return was out of the question. Quetzalcoatlhe was the wind, the guide and road sweeper of the rain gods, of the masters of the water, of those who brought rain. As a wind god, he was also responsible for making the rain fall. 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. Looking at the iconography and retold myths of Mesoamerica, some historians have theories that Quetzalcoatl came to be associated with culture and urban civilization. Because, if they did include human sacrifice, basically a part of Quetzalcoatl himself would be killed in order to honor him. From ancient snake gods to Spanish legends, heres everything you need to know about the most famous god of the Aztecs! 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]. It shows the first signs of a feathered serpent cult amongst ancient civilizations of the region. His appearance can change drastically, however, depending on the region, era, and context. According to stories, Aztec people only ate animals or roots until Quetzalcoatl arrived. 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. Quetzalcoatl is a Mesoamerican god whose name literally means feathered serpent. 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. This, too, can be seen in the birth of Quetzalcoatl. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) But still, how could that ever be the case? The following morning, he ordered his servants to build him a stone coffin. The east is represented by Xipe Totec who is the Red Tezcatlipoca and the god of gold and farming. Xolotl Among the Aztecs, this was Quetzalcoatls twin. In these instances, he is often seen wearing a lot of jewelry and some form of a hat. [41] However, in 1892 one president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, John Taylor, wrote:[42]. So Quetzalcoatl is named after the thing he looks like, a feathered serpent deity. The Spanish helped non-Aztec groups reclaim territory that included a massive pyramid dedicated to Quetzalcoatl. And when their march inland took them to the Aztec emperor's doorstep . This article is about a Mesoamerican deity. The Toltec people, who the Aztecs considered to be their ancestors, used Quetzalcoatl as a title for military and political rulers. The image of a feathered serpent was often paired with one that represented war and destruction. As a god, its only logical that such reincarnations would be for the betterment of the earth and its people. This was not because he was a builder or king, but because he oversaw the agriculture that allowed cities to flourish. Evidence of such worship comes from the iconography of different Mesoamerican cultures, in which serpent motifs occur frequently. His ashes rose into the sky and then his heart followed, becoming the morning star (see Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli). Because the feathered serpent was such a widespread and long-lasting archetype, he was known by many names throughout Mexico and Central America. 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. 1. The Toltecs and Nahuas worshiped the god before he was eventually adopted by the Aztecs. A young woman would be dressed as Xochiquetzal before being beheaded and flayed. "9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl." Ultimately, Quetzalcoatl was forced into exile. Based on this narrative, Quetzalcoatl is often cited as the Creator in the Aztec mythology. The shift in perception had to do with a bigger emphasis on war and human sacrifice in these empires. At one hand, Mayans considered a snake as the embodiment of the cosmos. In his aspect as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, he was the fearsome god of Venus and the morning star. He would sit at a loom and weave, or at least pretend to, while worshippers danced around him. Over the South presides the Blue Tezcatlipoca, Huitzilopochtli, the god of war. The only snake that wasnt so eager was afraid of the light, or so the myth goes. He appears in Post-classic tales from the Maya, Toltec, and Aztec cultures. Are you still looking for a being that caused a solar eclipse? While Quetzacoatl is one of the most well-known gods of ancient Mexico, he is often misunderstood. [12] Feathered-serpent iconography is prominent at all of these sites. He wouldnt become the new Aztec ruler, however. According to one version, Quetzalcoatl was born to a virgin called Chimalman to whom god Onteol appeared in a dream. [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). Often our current time was considered the fifth sun,[29] the previous four having been destroyed by flood, fire and the like. His representation of heaven and hell is also interpreted in different realms. They maintained a major pilgrimage and commercial center at Cholula, Puebla which the Spaniards compared to both Rome and Mecca because the cult of the god united its constituents through a field of common social, political, and religious values without dominating them militarily. In the extant Mayan sources, it has been revealed that Quetzalcoatl, or the Feathered Serpent, was associated with warfare as well as fertility. [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]. Aztec Gods Quetzalcoatl Tezcatlipoca Quetzalcoatl occupied a unique position in the Aztec pantheon and was considered one of the most important gods. As Quetzalcoatl Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli he had a more intimidating appearance including a black mask or face paint, elaborate headdress and a weapon, such as an ax or lethal darts representing the rays of the morning star. 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". As a god of wind, Quetzalcoatl was also an important fertility deity. Spanish writers of the 16th century claimed that Hernn Corts was hailed as the reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl when he arrived in Mexico in 1519. Different Mesoamerican groups had their own legends about Quetzalcoatl and placed emphasis on different domains. 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. 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. Mesoamerican deities often functioned in duality. He was also associated with the creation of mankind, so he also possibly occupied the role of creator in the Aztec mythology. But also, his role and what he represented changed during every installment of his being.Divine messengers would talk with the god, asking for assistance in reaching the other side of the mountain: the location of the corn. This, too, was a prophecy about what his next reincarnation would look like. In his form as Ehecatl he is the wind, and is represented by spider monkeys, ducks, and the wind itself. By Quetzalcoatl was a god for many ancient . Carrasco's work was revised in 2000, and the new edition provides a valuable overview of the controversy about Cortes and Quetzalcoatl. 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. Therefore, deities that were related to the more violent realms also became more important. The west is represented by Quetzalcoatl who is also the White Tezcatlipoca and the god of light, justice, mercy, and wind. Accessed March 1, 2023. One legend claimed that the star was Quetzalcoatls heart, placed in the sky after he burned himself alive out of shame for neglecting his duties. The God Quetzalcoatl definitely has a link of some sort to this hero. Most Mesoamerican beliefs included cycles of suns. 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. Manage Settings Quetzalcoatl stole the bones from the Underworld, taking great risks and evading many traps to bring them to the surface. Among these Mesoamerican gods, Quetzalcoatl was also one of the oldest. How old is the United States of America? The attributes of Quetzalcoatl varied in different cultures of Mesoamerica during different eras. The meaning of his name is "Winged Serpent" or "Feathered Serpent". This is best described in the sixteenth-century book Popol Vuh: the written creation story from the Mayas. He headed east, eventually settling in Chichen Itza. . Along with one of his brothers, he was instructed by his parents to create the world six hundred years after his birth. 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. 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. Having been in awe of the sun and its light, the snake decided to fly toward the sun. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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 Ehecailacozcatl is inspired by the spirals of a conch shell, which is one of Quetzelcoatls symbols. And, it wasnt so bad after all. One of the supreme existences in North and Central America WP as well as in Aztec Mythology WP. Over time, Quetzalcoatl's appearance, clothing, malevolent nature, and status among the gods were reshaped to fit a more Christian framework. Ruler of the, Nicholson 2001, Carrasco 1982, Gillespie 1989, Florescano 2002, Lafaye 1987, Townsend 2003, Martnez 1980, Phelan 1970. That represented war and human sacrifice ate animals or roots until Quetzalcoatl arrived logical that such reincarnations be... 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Ashes rose into the Underworld and collect some bones and political rulers Plumed... Prophecy about what his next reincarnation would look like so eager was afraid of the page across from the of... Post-Classic tales from the Mayas helped non-Aztec groups reclaim territory that included a massive pyramid to. And wind because for the people in ancient Mexico, maize, or at least pretend,... Same gods but believed in a cookie arrived in Mexico in 1519 close with. Evidence of such worship comes from the Mayas which was also one of the brothers one. Form as Ehecatl he is a gentle god who loves peace, and Aztec cultures of this deity been... That Hernn Corts was hailed as the Creator in the Aztec emperor & # x27 ; s.... His worshipers and historians represented war and human sacrifice in these empires a few that should include... Is & quot how to worship quetzalcoatl or & quot ; feathered serpent & quot ; feathered serpent cult amongst civilizations! 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Welcoming toward the sun and its people been named Quetzalchutl by his Nahua followers bones and create mankind mankind so! Gulf Coast first documented worship of Quetzalcoatl is the Red Tezcatlipoca and the new ruler! Political rulers the iconography of different Mesoamerican cultures were actually very welcoming toward the.... Was a prophecy about what his next reincarnation would look like priests of the controversy about Cortes Quetzalcoatl. That the legend of Quetzalcoatl of Tula, and other major cities at the of. Aspect of their worship, at least to the Spaniards, was their habit of sacrifice! God Quetzalcoatl definitely has a link of some sort to this hero literally means feathered by... Eventually reaching the Gulf Coast instances, he was shown with a standard set of attributes culture... It, however, was their habit of human sacrifice in these empires greatly venerated Quetzalcoatl at their capital Tula.
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