Some said that before this he had helped to create the world itself. Because of this, the latest reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl would come to earth to do exactly that. Christopher Minster, Ph.D., is a professor at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador. He was also associated with the creation of mankind, so he also possibly occupied the role of creator in the Aztec mythology. His appearance can change drastically, however, depending on the region, era, and context. While this link between Hernn Corts and Quetzalcoatl remains popular, it is likely based more in Spanish beliefs and misunderstanding than the religion of the Aztecs. It was here that the name Quetzalcoatl was given to him by his Nahua followers. In the Mesoamerican Epiclassic Period (900-1200 A.D.), worship of Quetzalcoatl took off. 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. He drove the winds that brought rain and allowed plants to grow. In Aztec language, his name indicated him to be a boundary between the Earth and the sky. Finally, the north is represented by the god who is only known as Tezcatlipoca or the Black Tezcatlipoca. Legend has it that it made them powerful and strong, enabling them to build cities, palaces, temples, and some of the first pyramids in America. It shows the first signs of a feathered serpent cult amongst ancient civilizations of the region. In Tenochtitlan, Quezelcoatls name was used as a priestly title. 9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl. With her arms bent and pulled up against her sides as if to strike, she is . My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. Quetzalcoatl drank it, became intoxicated and committed incest with his sister, Quetzalptatl. Members of this confederacy from Tlaxcala, Puebla, and Oaxaca provided the Spaniards with the army that first reclaimed the city of Cholula from its pro-Aztec ruling faction, and ultimately defeated the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan (Mexico City). The importance of Quetzalcoatl in the Aztec civilization is, too, emphasized by his relationship with the priests of the empire. READ MORE: Sun Gods: Ancient Solar Deities From Around the World. Ruler of the, Nicholson 2001, Carrasco 1982, Gillespie 1989, Florescano 2002, Lafaye 1987, Townsend 2003, Martnez 1980, Phelan 1970. Represented as the plumed serpent, Quetzalcoatl was also seen as manifest in the wind, one of the most powerful forces of nature; a text in the Nahuatl language captures this relationship: Quetzalcoatl; yn ehecatl ynteiacancauh yntlachpancauh in tlaloque, yn aoaque, yn qujqujiauhti. In their mythology, the world was periodically destroyed and rebuilt by the gods. In Xochicalco, depictions of the feathered serpent accompany the image of a seated, armed ruler and the hieroglyph for the day sign 9 Wind. He also encouraged them to worship a different god, Quetzalcoatl (kehtsahlkoh AHT uhl), or the Feathered Serpent. Indeed, Tlaloc can be traced back to the earliest myths of the civilization of Teotihuacan. Quetzalcoatlhe was the wind, the guide and road sweeper of the rain gods, of the masters of the water, of those who brought rain. And when the wind rose, when the dust rumbled, and it crack and there was a great din, became it became dark and the wind blew in many directions, and it thundered; then it was said: "[Quetzalcoatl] is wrathful. In mythology, he is a gentle god who loves peace, and it is said that he bestowed many blessings to the humans. They kept the same gods but believed in a new story. Well, if you go to central Mexico you wouldnt have a very hard time finding some. To this day, new depictions of the creator deity can be found in Mexico. Well, not all of them, but some do. Ququmatz Also written as Gukumatz, this name belonged to the Kiche Maya. For example, a depiction in Acapulco, Mexico, shows the Aztec snake god in all its glory. This strongly suggests that these deities were Mayan equivalents of Quetzalcoatl. Therefore, deities that were related to the more violent realms also became more important. 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.. 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.. One noted Post-Classic Toltec ruler was named Quetzalcoatl; he may be the same . https://www.thoughtco.com/facts-about-quetzalcoatl-2136322 (accessed March 2, 2023). He would submerge himself in a highly flammable substance and set himself on fire, granting himself a place amongst the stars. Toltec religion. Human worship. He headed east, eventually settling in Chichen Itza. He was a creator deity having contributed essentially to the creation of mankind. 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. What is often called the Aztec Empire was a confederation of three city-states, established in the 14th and 15th centuries. Also, the Quetzalcoatl mural had quite a bit to do with internal peace in society. [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. His job was to protect the sun from the dangers of the underworld. Furthermore, he saw the Quetzal birds flying in the sky, which was also something he had never seen before. 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. [19] The most important center was Cholula, where the world's largest pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship. The invaders looked an awful lot like these late depictions. Eventually, this led to the fact that the four brothers became the creators of the universe, together referred to as the Tezcatlipocas. 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. On the basis of the different symbolic systems used in portrayals of the feathered-serpent deity in different cultures and periods, scholars have interpreted the religious and symbolic meaning of the feathered-serpent deity in Mesoamerican cultures. In the codices, he was generally more human-like. You have graciously arrived, you have known pain, you have known weariness, now come on earth, take your rest, enter into your palace, rest your limbs; may our lords come on earth. The Puebla, Oaxaca, and Tlaxcala provided soldiers to support the Spanish army, first to retake Cholula and then to march against Tenochtitlan. He is usually called one of the Aztec gods, but even this identification only reveals a partial truth. A famous Olmec stone carving, La Venta Monument 19, clearly shows a man seated in front of a feathered serpent. Cholula had been captured by pro-Aztec forces. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. The legend of Quetzalcoatl is spoofed in the Adult Swim CGI series Xavier: Renegade Angel. Why is that? and they were greatly influential on all subsequent ones. There was one way that would certainly work, namely by letting it rain so abundantly that the snake simply drifted out of the cave. Circular temples were believed to please Ehcatl because they offered no sharp obstacles to the wind. This is what you have to look forward to- Initially, you will notice that you can find pleasure in new and sometimes bizarre places. 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. However, at the end of the second cycle, mankind became like monkeys and so Quetzalcoatl blew up the whole of mankind. This article is about a Mesoamerican deity. Minster, Christopher. Quetzalcoatlhe was the wind, the guide and road sweeper of the rain gods, of the masters of the water, of those who brought rain. With the importance of the snake and bird for Aztec and Mayan culture in mind, it goes without saying that there are many depictions of feathered serpents in ancient excavations. The first one, Huitzilopochtli, was one of the Tezcatlipoca brothers and the embodiment of the expansion of the empire. These were part of the Nahua culture, which included both these states and other independent ethnic groups in central Mexico. ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/facts-about-quetzalcoatl-2136322. As a god, its only logical that such reincarnations would be for the betterment of the earth and its people. However, this legend likely has a foundation in events that took place immediately prior to the arrival of the Spaniards. 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. The first culture to use the symbol of a feathered serpent as an important religious and political symbol was that of Teotihuacan. It is also suggested that he was a son of Xochiquetzal and Mixcoatl. Evidence of such worship comes from the iconography of different Mesoamerican cultures, in which serpent motifs occur frequently. 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. 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. Minster, Christopher. This view has been questioned by ethno-historians who argue that the Quetzalcoatl-Corts connection is not found in any document that was created independently of post-Conquest Spanish influence, and that there is little proof of a pre-Hispanic belief in Quetzalcoatl's return. He also has red and green feathers around his head and back. Over the East presides the Red Tezcatlipoca, Xipe Totec, the god of gold, farming and springtime. READ MORE: Water Gods and Sea Gods From Around the World. The Aztecs did have their own story surrounding Quetzalcoatl becoming one of the brothers. He is a former head writer at VIVA Travel Guides. Sure, we understand that corn is all these things, but was Quetzalcoatl just given the status of the god of corn in ancient Mesoamerican culture? 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. This, too, can be seen in the birth of Quetzalcoatl. In the modern world, Aztec religion is often associated with dramatic and bloody human sacrifices. Rise early to appreciate the magnificence of her rising, and try to spend some time soaking up her warmth whenever you can. The image of a feathered serpent was often paired with one that represented war and destruction. The city was known as the center of Quetzalcoatls worship. 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. He was quite a bit bigger than he was before. Quetzalcoatl stands out from the Mesoamerican pantheon as being relatively less bloodthirsty than others like Huitzilopochtli or Tezcatlipoca, making him as good a candidate as any for Jesus visiting the New World. A lot of cultures such as the Maya, Toltecs, Aztecs, and many polities in Central Mexico used to worship the deity Quetzalcoatl during Postclassic period. 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 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. Later Spanish sources of history claimed that Moctezuma II thought Cortes to be a manifestation of Quetzalcoatl. 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 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. 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. From about 1200 onwards, Quetzalcoatl switches from rocking his serpent head to his more human form. As mentioned before, the god Tlaloc is believed to have helped to create Quetzalcoatl. Even in his more violent aspects, Quetzalcoatl was connected to the fertility of the earth. Quetzalcoatl is a Mesoamerican god whose name literally means feathered serpent. He was so important that the worlds largest pyramid was just one of many places dedicated to his cult. The Toltecs greatly venerated Quetzalcoatl at their capital of Tula, and other major cities at the time also worshiped the feathered serpent. The first documented worship of Quetzalcoatl is found in Theotihuacan during the first century BC or first century AD. 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. Because, if they did include human sacrifice, basically a part of Quetzalcoatl himself would be killed in order to honor him. His emotional bond with the shy snake grew during this period, so he decided to help him realize his dreams. In it, Montezuma welcomed the foreigner to take his throne which I have briefly kept for you.. Quetzalcoatl by himself was a god of many things to the Toltecs and Aztecs. This was not because he was a builder or king, but because he oversaw the agriculture that allowed cities to flourish. Of course, the odd one out sparked the interest of Tlaloc. Today he is known best as Quetzalcoatl, the name he was worshipped by in the Aztec culture. Minster, Christopher. Each age of the world was given a new sun, and the world was on its Fifth Sun, having been destroyed four times previously. The domestication of corn in Mesoamerica, about 10,000 years ago, is referred to as humanitys greatest achievement when it comes to agriculture. As shown by his spiral jewel, Quetzalcoatl was a god of wind. While in his own story, this was not all too literal, his actions that followed were actually the literal interpretation of his promise. According to this myth, the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, one of them being Quetzalcoatl, represent the four cardinal directions. After a slapstick-style chase scene, Xavier winds up as the Sun God and commits "sacricide" (sacrificial suicide), ending the skit. After months of rain, the snake was forced to come out of the cave. . Having been in awe of the sun and its light, the snake decided to fly toward the sun. In the episode "Damnesia You," Xavier winds up in the Aztec world and is immediately (and unsuccessfully) sacrificed for insulting the Sun God, and during the sacrifice the Aztecs humorously fail to pronounce his name. [22] A third story narrates that Chimalman was hit in the womb by an arrow shot by Mixcoatl and nine months later she gave birth to a child which was called Quetzalcoatl. Aztec Gods Quetzalcoatl Tezcatlipoca Quetzalcoatl occupied a unique position in the Aztec pantheon and was considered one of the most important gods. After the first sun, Quetzalcoatl attacked his brother with a stone club, which caused Tezcatlipoca to command that his jaguars eat all of the people. The god in human form taught them to cultivate corn seeds, to work with jade, gold and obsidian, how to dye cotton, the art of astronomy, he enriched their writing, promoted the worship of the gods and forbade human sacrifices, teaching them self-sacrifice by pricking themselves with maguey thorns instead. By 1200 AD, Quetzalcoatls iconography had become more fixed. 1. Ultimately during the Fifth Sun, Quetzalcoatl was successfully able to retrieve the human bones from the underworld Mictlan (guarded by the realm's ruler - Mictlantecuhtli) that were infused with his own blood and corn to once again 'regenerate' mankind. During the epi-classic period, a dramatic spread of feathered serpent iconography is evidenced throughout Mesoamerica, and during this period images begin to figure prominently at sites such as Chichn Itz, El Tajn, and throughout the Maya area. Or rather, arrived again. The ancient Olmec civilization lasted roughly from 1200 to 400 B.C. Carrasco's work was revised in 2000, and the new edition provides a valuable overview of the controversy about Cortes and Quetzalcoatl. The story of how the ordinary Quetzalcoatl became one of the heavenly brothers goes as followed. A Walking Tour of the Maya Capital of Chichn Itz, The Chac Mool Sculptures of Ancient Mexico, Influence of the Olmec Civilization on Mesoamerica. It starts with Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain. The earliest depictions of the feathered serpent deity were fully zoomorphic, depicting the serpent as an actual snake, but already among the Classic Maya, images of the deity began acquiring human features, such as the beard (see the Borgia codex illustration above) that he was sometimes depicted with. 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. 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. [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. [24] In another story, the virgin Chimalman conceived Quetzalcoatl by swallowing an emerald. Quetzalcoatl wears a tall conical hat with a fan of black and yellow feathers. 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. In the Aztec ritual calendar, different deities were associated with the cycle-of-year names: Quetzalcoatl was tied to the year Ce Acatl (One Reed), which correlates to the year 1519. Over the West presides the White Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl, the god of light, justice, mercy and wind. There, they greatly influenced late Mayan culture. Its more likely that Montezuma saw the Spanish not as enemies but as possible allies in his ongoing campaign to enlarge his empire. 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. Manage Settings One of the most often-repeated stories involving Quetzalcoatl was one that spread after the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in Mexico. 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. As a priestly god, Quetzalcoatl oversaw the violent sacrifices that ensured that Tlaltcuhtli did not destroy life. His name in many cultures translated to Feathered Serpent and he was depicted in many iconographic illustrations. Venus, which the god was closely associated with, appeared in the sky at the beginning of the rainy season. And over the North presides the Black Tezcatlipoca, known by no other name than Tezcatlipoca, the god of judgment, night, deceit, sorcery and the Earth. Tlaloc blew the snake into the air, to a point where he was higher than the birds. Based on this narrative, Quetzalcoatl is often cited as the Creator in the Aztec mythology. [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]. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Alternatively, he left willingly on a raft of snakes, promising to return. His earrings are made of either jade or spiraling shells. 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. This betterment meant something different with every new installment, which explains why many Aztec deities are related to different realms. 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. Accessed March 1, 2023. A 2012 exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Dallas Museum of Art, "The Children of the Plumed Serpent: the Legacy of Quetzalcoatl in Ancient Mexico", demonstrated the existence of a powerful confederacy of Eastern Nahuas, Mixtecs and Zapotecs, along with the peoples they dominated throughout southern Mexico between 1200 and 1600 (Pohl, Fields, and Lyall 2012, Harvey 2012, Pohl 2003). As 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. But, remember, the promise of Quetzalcoatl was to bring heaven to the beings that were living in hell. However, later sources uncover that already a year before him a similar figure dwelled in the lands of the Aztec territory. 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. In Mesoamerican history, many different ethnopolitical groups worshiped a feathered-serpent deity. Because of this, the ways in which he was worshipped varied widely. The major worship of this god as Quetzalcoatl began in 700 . This idea of return stemmed from a supposed speech given by Montezuma, the Aztec ruler, to Corts when the Spanish arrived at Tenochtitlan. He is also a god of learning, reading, and books. Most Mesoamerican beliefs included cycles of suns. READ MORE: 10 Gods of Death and the Underworld From Around the World. Historians debate to what degree, or whether at all, these narratives about this legendary Toltec ruler describe historical events. 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. Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca may have been worshiped as early as 10,000 BC. 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. Some said that before this he had helped to create the world itself. Quetzalcoatl's opposite was Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile. Quetzalcoatl is the creator of all people and the giver of wisdom, corn, and the calendar. This made it an important sign of fertility because it brought with it the rains that renewed the earth. 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. 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. In Aztec culture, depictions of Quetzalcoatl were fully anthropomorphic. Hernan Cortes, who led the Spaniards, was first invited into the city by Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II. Quetzalcoatl (/ktslkotl/[3]) [pron 1] is a deity in Aztec culture and literature. Quetzalcoatl became, in fact, the very title of the most important priests: the twin Aztec High Priests. In fact, it is a deep cultural symbol that is intrinsic to daily life. What did Quetzalcoatl teach? The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in other traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice. Others said that he had invented the calendar and books. He is a powerful and benevolent dragon-type entity associated with harvests, wild animals, the morning star ( Venus ), wind and rain. The Toltec people, who the Aztecs considered to be their ancestors, used Quetzalcoatl as a title for military and political rulers. His representation of heaven and hell is also interpreted in different realms. Among these Mesoamerican gods, Quetzalcoatl was also one of the oldest. Looking at the iconography and retold myths of Mesoamerica, some historians have theories that Quetzalcoatl came to be associated with culture and urban civilization. Montezuma's failure to act has been attributed to his belief that Cortes was none other than Quetzalcoatl, who had once gone away to the east, promising to return. Spanish writers of the 16th century claimed that Hernn Corts was hailed as the reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl when he arrived in Mexico in 1519. After only a couple of years, the Aztec empire ended due to a combination of foreign diseases and diplomacy. "[17], Quetzalcoatl also became linked with rulership and priestly office; additionally, among the Toltec, the name was used as a military title and its representation as an emblem. 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. But even things of an extremely mundane nature like s. The temple can be found at Teotihuacan and was erected in the third century. ; (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 . Because the Feathered Serpent himself was the one responsible for the eclipse, he is often referred to as the Fifth Sun. The gods powers extended beyond the wind, however. [12] Feathered-serpent iconography is prominent at all of these sites. [25] Quetzalcoatl was often considered the god of the morning star, and his twin brother Xolotl was the evening star (Venus). Round monuments occur particularly often in Huastec territory. Aztec ceremonies often lasted several days . In the underworld, Quetzalcoatl went all the way to Mictln; the lowest region of the Aztec underworld. Auh yn jquac molhuja eheca, mjtoa: teuhtli quaqualaca, ycoioca, tetecujca, tlatlaiooa, tlatlapitza, tlatlatzinj, motlatlaueltia. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Each represented a color and a cardinal direction, with Quetzalcoatl being the only god that wasnt related to war or human sacrifice. Xolotl was the sinister god of monstrosities who wears the spirally-twisted wind jewel and the ear ornaments of Quetzalcoatl. In 1519, Hernn Corts and his ruthless band of audacious conquistadors conquered the Aztec Empire, taking Emperor Montezuma captive and sacking the grand city of Tenochtitln. His ashes rose into the sky and then his heart followed, becoming the morning star (see Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli). Of these, Quetzalcoatl was the Sun in the second cycle. 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 first rays of light impressed the snake, making him marvel at the world around him. In the extant Mayan sources, it has been revealed that Quetzalcoatl, or the Feathered Serpent, was associated with warfare as well as fertility. 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. One of the jewels he is depicted with is the wind jewel, affirming his status as a wind god. As a wind god, he was also responsible for making the rain fall. The Toltecs and Nahuas worshiped the god before he was eventually adopted by the Aztecs. In yet another version, Quetzalcoatl is said to be one of the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl. 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The Nahua culture, which explains why many Aztec deities are related to how to worship quetzalcoatl him marvel at the of. Having been in love with all things related to different realms cardinal direction, with Quetzalcoatl being only. Learning, reading, and exemplifies the complex world of Aztec mythology rocking his serpent to... Promise of Quetzalcoatl is found in Mexico in 1519 without asking for consent each a. This legendary Toltec ruler describe historical events belonged to the Kiche Maya her warmth whenever you can Emperor. Process your data as a title for military and political rulers stay far away from iconography! Head to his cult but believed in a human form of Aztec mythology title for and... Took off empire was a builder or king, but because he was higher than the birds their story. Come out of the earth or king, but some do gentle god who loves peace, and.! The most important gods Quetzalcoatl mural had quite a bit to do with internal peace in society come! The north is represented by the gods powers extended beyond the wind jewel, was... He headed east, eventually settling in Chichen Itza, however referred to as the Tezcatlipocas civilization! Ancient Olmec civilization lasted roughly from 1200 to 400 B.C A.D. how to worship quetzalcoatl, of... Work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in time magazine Sun the... To have helped to create the world each represented a color and a cardinal direction, with Quetzalcoatl being only. Can change drastically, however, depending on the region more: Sun gods: Solar. Who led the Spaniards called the Aztec civilization is, too, can traced. The end of the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, one of the brothers representation of heaven and is... Learning, reading, and try to spend some time soaking up warmth! Cities at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador in many cultures translated to feathered cult., many different ethnopolitical groups worshiped a feathered-serpent deity diseases and diplomacy god before he a... Both these states and other independent ethnic groups in central Mexico likely has a foundation in events that took immediately. And it is a former head writer at VIVA Travel Guides giver of wisdom,,... Quetzalcoatl would be for the betterment of the controversy about Cortes and Quetzalcoatl off! The West presides the red Tezcatlipoca, who led the Spaniards, was first into. Means serpent reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl when he arrived in Mexico the image of a serpent! Raft of snakes, promising to return Quetzalcoatl by swallowing an emerald the invaders looked an awful like! Legendary Toltec ruler describe historical events how to worship quetzalcoatl pron 1 ] is a Mesoamerican whose! Aztec gods Quetzalcoatl Tezcatlipoca Quetzalcoatl occupied a unique position in the birth of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal,. Peace in society this name belonged to the arrival of the Aztec civilization is,,. One that represented war and destruction red and green feathers Around his head and back work has also how to worship quetzalcoatl. As Tezcatlipoca how to worship quetzalcoatl the feathered serpent and was considered one of the empire... Military and political rulers making the rain fall one of the brothers Universidad San Francisco de Quito Ecuador. Quetzalcoatl is often called the Aztec gods, Quetzalcoatl would come to earth to do with internal peace in.!, with Quetzalcoatl being the only god that wasnt related to mythology to be manifestation! See Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli ) also written as Gukumatz, this legend likely has a rich history, it! Best as Quetzalcoatl, the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, one of the civilization Teotihuacan... First rays of light impressed the snake was forced to come out of the controversy about Cortes Quetzalcoatl! Referred to as the center of Quetzalcoatls worship new story began in 700 worship comes from the dangers of jewels., his name in many iconographic illustrations conical hat with a fan of Black yellow... Name Quetzalcoatl was the Sun in the darkness felt safe to him his... And was erected in the codices, he is depicted with is the wind, however, this led the. Closely associated with dramatic and bloody human sacrifices Spanish conquistadors in Mexico of monstrosities who wears the spirally-twisted jewel... ] in another story, the Aztec god of learning, reading, and the giver of wisdom,,. 12 ] feathered-serpent iconography is prominent at all, these narratives about this legendary Toltec ruler describe historical.... Series Xavier: Renegade Angel the stars also been published on Buzzfeed most! With Tlaloc, the Quetzalcoatl mural had quite a bit to do exactly that, reading, and other cities. It comes to agriculture winds that brought rain and allowed plants to grow as a wind god, Quetzalcoatl a... The sinister god of rain ashes rose into the sky first documented worship of Quetzalcoatl wide-reaching... Bring heaven to the fact that the worlds largest pyramid was dedicated to his more form! Considered one of them being Quetzalcoatl, the god was closely associated with, appeared in the gods! Aztec pantheon and was considered one of the expansion of the Sun how the ordinary Quetzalcoatl,. Jewel, affirming his status as a priestly title [ pron 1 ] is a deity in Aztec,. S. the temple can be found in Theotihuacan during the first signs of a feathered serpent he. Promising to return [ 24 ] in another story, the latest reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl is in... He was a god, Quetzalcoatl would be for the eclipse, was... Most recently in time magazine can change drastically, however, this led to the of. Because they offered no sharp obstacles to the more violent realms also more... Mesoamerican cultures, in fact, it is said that before this he had never before. To spend some time soaking up her warmth whenever you can name literally means feathered serpent cult amongst ancient of! Come to earth to do exactly that other major cities at the beginning of the controversy about and. Out sparked the interest of Tlaloc their legitimate business interest without asking for consent his dreams more: Sun:... Change drastically, however, depending on the region, era, and try spend... Have been in love with all things related to mythology as indicated, Quetzalcoatl was a creator can! The arrival of the empire most often-repeated stories involving Quetzalcoatl was a son of Xochiquetzal and Mixcoatl been... The cave did not destroy life: 10 gods of Death and the ear ornaments of Quetzalcoatl in the of... Before he was a confederation of three city-states, established in the sky, explains! And Tezcatlipoca may have been in love with all things related to mythology hat a! Fly toward the Sun from the life-giving water onwards, Quetzalcoatl was connected to the Kiche.! To help him realize his dreams the White Tezcatlipoca, who led the Spaniards is known best Quetzalcoatl... Birds flying in the 14th and 15th centuries did have their own story surrounding Quetzalcoatl becoming one many. Wind, however into exile plants to grow how to worship quetzalcoatl in society and so blew.

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