Aztec Gods Quetzalcoatl Tezcatlipoca Quetzalcoatl occupied a unique position in the Aztec pantheon and was considered one of the most important gods. 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". From ancient snake gods to Spanish legends, heres everything you need to know about the most famous god of the Aztecs! 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. The temple can be found at Teotihuacan and was erected in the third century. He also encouraged them to worship a different god, Quetzalcoatl (kehtsahlkoh AHT uhl), or the Feathered Serpent. In fact, the then-current king himself, Moteuhzoma II, prophesied the return of Quetzalcoatl as a white-bearded person even if it would mean that hed have to give up his place on the throne. If somebody like that appeared, it was agreed that the bearded figure would become the new king of the Aztec empire. 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. The four suns before Quetzalcoatl had been destroyed by disastrous events, like floods, fires, and volcanic eruptions. The invaders looked an awful lot like these late depictions. Although the citys main temple was not dedicated to him, the priests of the city took his name and his iconography was prevalent. In the modern era, however, many aspects of this legend have come into question. Historians debate to what degree, or whether at all, these narratives about this legendary Toltec ruler describe historical events. It was here that the name Quetzalcoatl was given to him by his Nahua followers. Accessed March 1, 2023. As mentioned before, the god Tlaloc is believed to have helped to create Quetzalcoatl. By Quetzalcoatl was a god for many ancient . The west is represented by Quetzalcoatl who is also the White Tezcatlipoca and the god of light, justice, mercy, and wind. 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. Several of the peoples of Eastern Mexico united with Corts in the belief that he would help them overthrow the Aztecs. (Many academics conclude this passage implies incest.) This, too, meant the end of the god Quetzalcoatl. The Toltecs and Nahuas worshiped the god before he was eventually adopted by the Aztecs. 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. Quetzalcoatl's link to erudition and religious dedication ensured his worship across Mesoamerica, and some priests of high rank were anointed with his name. He would submerge himself in a highly flammable substance and set himself on fire, granting himself a place amongst the stars. Based on this narrative, Quetzalcoatl is often cited as the Creator in the Aztec mythology. The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in other traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice. Although early images had shown a serpent, by the classical period of Aztec culture Quetzalcoatl was more often shown with a human body. Quetzalcoatl's opposite was Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile. Most, however, saw him as more than a wind god and instead as a major force in the creation and continuation of the world. Similar gods would be used to represent the balance of two opposite powers. . Remember, he has already been deemed a god. With great respect and awe. Corts himself claimed in a letter that the gullibility of the Aztec people helped him to conquer them. However, later sources uncover that already a year before him a similar figure dwelled in the lands of the Aztec territory. ", "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. [12] In the Postclassic period (9001519AD), the worship of the feathered-serpent deity centered in the primary Mexican religious center of Cholula. 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. In his form as Ehecatl he is the wind, and is represented by spider monkeys, ducks, and the wind itself. According to one version, Quetzalcoatl was born to a virgin called Chimalman to whom god Onteol appeared in a dream. Before he left, however, he promised to return. The Nahua largely spoke dialects of the same language, Nahuatl, which helped to unify their culture. At one hand, Mayans considered a snake as the embodiment of the cosmos. Rather, one was named Quetzalcoatl Totec Tlamacazqui, and the other one Quetzalcoatl Tlaloc Tlamacazqui. According to this myth, the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, one of them being Quetzalcoatl, represent the four cardinal directions. Also, the Quetzalcoatl mural had quite a bit to do with internal peace in society. As a god, its only logical that such reincarnations would be for the betterment of the earth and its people. The city was known as the center of Quetzalcoatls worship. The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in colonial traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice. This confederacy engaged in almost seventy-five years of nearly continuous conflict with the Aztec Empire of the Triple Alliance until the arrival of Corts. When he arrived, he took exactly one grain of corn back to the Aztec people.This very grain allowed the Aztec people to cultivate and harvest the corn plant in their own territory. 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 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. This, it is believed, explains why he was looking inwards to the city. Some Mesoamericans believed that as part of the creation of the world he had given people maize, making him an important agricultural god. This made it an important sign of fertility because it brought with it the rains that renewed the earth. By the 3rd century AD this was recognizable as a god, who had a pyramid dedicated to his honor in the city of Teotihuacn. 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. 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. Today he is known best as Quetzalcoatl, the name he was worshipped by in the Aztec culture. Have you ever eaten blue, white, black, or red corn? Quetzalcoatl, or Feathered Serpent, was an important god to the ancient people of Mesoamerica. 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. Well, in fact, the Feathered Serpent is deemed to be the god who has helped Mesoamerican cultures start their corn crops. 5D's, Beyblade: Metal Fusion, Fate/Grand Order - Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia and Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid (the latter two depicting Quetzalcoatl as a female dragon deity); the Megami Tensei video game franchise; the video games Fate/Grand Order, Final Fantasy VIII, Final Fantasy XV, Sanitarium, Smite (as an alternate costume for his Mayan counterpart, Kukulkan), and Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine; as the main antagonist in the Star Trek: The Animated Series episode "How Sharper Than a Serpent's Tooth"; and in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel books. The famous Pyramid of the Niches at El Tajin is believed by many to be dedicated to Quetzalcoatl, and the many ball courts there also suggest that his cult was important. [14], The name Quetzalcoatl comes from the Nahuatl language and means "Precious serpent" or "Quetzal-feathered Serpent". Hernan Cortes, who led the Spaniards, was first invited into the city by Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II. This, too, was a prophecy about what his next reincarnation would look like. Every reincarnation story seems to come with its proper birth story, but there is one story that stands out. At first, the ancient Mesoamerican cultures were actually very welcoming toward the colonizers. Circular temples were believed to please Ehcatl because they offered no sharp obstacles to the wind. The domestication of corn in Mesoamerica, about 10,000 years ago, is referred to as humanitys greatest achievement when it comes to agriculture. Besides giving life to people, Quetzalcoatl also allowed humans to survive. On the basis of the Teotihuacan iconographical depictions of the feathered serpent, archaeologist Karl Taube has argued that the feathered serpent was a symbol of fertility and of internal political structures - contrasting with the War Serpent symbolizing the outwards military expansion of the Teotihuacan empire. 2. Quetzalcoatl was the Aztec version of this plumed snake archetype. The Nahua civilization, which included the central Mexican Aztecs, almost universally worshipped Quetzalcoatl among their gods. Aztec God Quetzalcoatl According to Aztec mythology, Earth had been through four cycles of Sun, each of which resulted in the destruction of mankind. Well, not all of them, but some do. 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. Although little is known about the specific ways in which he was revered, some historians believe that the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms and other intoxicants may have played a large role. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. Mason-Dixon Line [7] Animals thought to represent Quetzalcoatl include resplendent quetzals, rattlesnakes (coatl meaning "serpent" in Nahuatl), crows, and macaws. Corn did exist, but it grew at a location that the ancient cultures were unable to reach. These were part of the Nahua culture, which included both these states and other independent ethnic groups in central Mexico. What did Quetzalcoatl teach? Because, if they did include human sacrifice, basically a part of Quetzalcoatl himself would be killed in order to honor him. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. The eclipse that was caused by the birth of Quetzalcoatl is believed to be the fifth eclipse to ever happen. Over the South presides the Blue Tezcatlipoca, Huitzilopochtli, the god of war. However, a god that represents both a bird and a serpent in particular should be regarded as the highest of spiritual leaders. Quetzalcoatl was so closely linked to fertility and creation that many groups held him to be the creator of mankind. Different cultures associated him with priesthood and kingship, further complicating his mythology in later retellings. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The earliest Aztec and classic Maya serpent iconography can be found in a six-tiered pyramid specifically dedicated to Quetzalcoatl. Rise early to appreciate the magnificence of her rising, and try to spend some time soaking up her warmth whenever you can. 9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl. The Teotihuacan iconographical depictions are often interpreted as a version where Quetzalcoatl played the role of a fertility-related serpent deity. READ MORE: 10 Gods of Death and the Underworld From Around the World. Why is that? Temple of Ehcatl-Quetzalcoatl. Minster, Christopher. 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. At Cholula, however, the gods cult is most evident. There is no question that the legend of Quetzalcoatl played a significant role in the colonial period. The Aztecs, however, were only a small segment of the regions people. Quetzalcoatl, or "Feathered Serpent," was an important god to the ancient people of Mesoamerica. This would oppose the other serpent rising in the exact opposite direction, namely outwards. He also had anthropomorphic forms, for example in his aspects as Ehecatl the wind god. The first rays of light impressed the snake, making him marvel at the world around him. The Spanish helped non-Aztec groups reclaim territory that included a massive pyramid dedicated to Quetzalcoatl. From about 1200 onwards, Quetzalcoatl switches from rocking his serpent head to his more human form. In one myth tied to this belief, the two killed a great monster and used its body to craft the world. 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. It is also suggested that he was a son of Xochiquetzal and Mixcoatl. Other than Teotihuacn, large worship places can be found in Xochicalco and Cacaxtla. [19] The most important center was Cholula, where the world's largest pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship. Among these Mesoamerican gods, Quetzalcoatl was also one of the oldest. Where once feathered snakes were worshiped all over, after the Spanish conquest the locals were forced into worshiping Jesus Christ. Worship of Quetzalcoatl can be traced back to as early as the Teotihuacan civilization, a prominent urban center that peaked between the 3rd to 8th centuries CE. When he started to pay attention to what he was watering, Tlaloc saw a cave full of snakes that were eagerly sipping on his water. The Nahuatl nouns compounded into the proper name "Quetzalcoatl" are: (in English, Spanish, and Nahuatl languages), Proposed Book of Mormon geographical setting, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fate/Grand Order - Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, "Evidence of Mushroom Worship in Mesoamerica", "New Taxonomical and Ethnomycological Observations on, "All You Need To Know About The Ancient Aztec Gods and Goddesses", "Readings in Classical Nahuatl: The Death of Quetzalcoatl", "Gift of the Gods: Chocolate in the Aztec Empire", "The Complete New York City Horror Movie Marathon! This was not because he was a builder or king, but because he oversaw the agriculture that allowed cities to flourish. Quetzalcoatl was a jack of many trades, a truth also reflected in the stories surrounding his birth. They also believed that the Aztec gods reflected aspects of their own religion. Like many other Mesoamerican deities, the story of our god sees several reincarnations. While the inhabitants of Teotihuacan were the first ones to worship Quetzalcoatl, the Aztecs reinterpreted him over time. 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"). These two serpents formed a duality, with the feathered serpent representing the life and growth that balanced violence. "9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl." Whether Quetzalcoatl would return was out of the question. In sculptures adorning temples throughout ancient Mexico, he generally appeared as a plumed serpent, although sometimes he had human features as well. It starts with Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain. By adding a bit of his own blood, he allowed a new civilization to emerge. 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. As soon as the eclipse ended, he promised himself that he would bring the heavens to anyone who is living in hell. He drove the winds that brought rain and allowed plants to grow. Some legends describe him as opposed to human sacrifice[26] while others describe him practicing it.[27][28]. The Ehecailacozcatl is inspired by the spirals of a conch shell, which is one of Quetzelcoatls symbols. The language is spoken today in the highlands of central Guatemala. Quetzalcoatl stole the bones from the Underworld, taking great risks and evading many traps to bring them to the surface. Feathered serpents appear as early as 900 BC in parts of Mexico. Instead, these stories were probably the invention of Franciscan monks who followed the initial conquest of Mexico. It is not a coincidence that Quetzalcoatl is just as often referred to as the Feathered Serpent by his worshipers and historians. How should one worship the sun? While the Aztecs were still waiting for the returning god Quetzalcoatl, most of their people were killed due to diseases brought by the Spaniards. Different versions of the birth of god are prevalent in Mesoamerican mythology. It shows the first signs of a feathered serpent cult amongst ancient civilizations of the region. Quetzalcoatl was also the patron of the priests and the title of the twin Aztec high priests. Although probably not exactly a depiction of the same feathered-serpent deity worshipped in classic and post-classic periods, it shows the continuity of symbolism of feathered snakes in Mesoamerica from the formative period and on, for example in comparison to the Maya Vision Serpent shown below. The meaning of his name is "Winged Serpent" or "Feathered Serpent". Minster, Christopher. 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. He was quite a bit bigger than he was before. 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. ThoughtCo. In yet another version, Quetzalcoatl is said to be one of the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl. https://www.thoughtco.com/facts-about-quetzalcoatl-2136322 (accessed March 2, 2023). 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. Rather than the conquistador himself being the wind god, however, it was that his army allowed the Puebla and their allies to reclaim the pyramid of Tlachihualtepetl, the center of Quezalcoatls cult. Quetzalcoatl was many things: (1) a historical personage - a great priest-king and religious reformer who lived in approximately the tenth century A.D. The only snake that wasnt so eager was afraid of the light, or so the myth goes. However, independent historical sources do not substantiate this claim and later historians have disputed it as well. Xochiquetzal and the Moon To this day, new depictions of the creator deity can be found in Mexico. 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. One of these groups centered around the city of Cholula, where the great pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl. Similarly, various other birth stories are also associated with Quetzalcoatl. Are you still looking for a being that caused a solar eclipse? As the story goes, the Aztec believed in a white, bearded god named Quetzalcoatl, who, long ago, had disappeared into the east. The relation of Quetzalcoatl with just the latest sun is a result of the mingling of his earliest myths and some new perceptions. The God Quetzalcoatl definitely has a link of some sort to this hero. The story of the life of the Mexican divinity, Quetzalcoatl, closely resembles that of the Savior; so closely, indeed, that we can come to no other conclusion than that Quetzalcoatl and Christ are the same being. As shown by his spiral jewel, Quetzalcoatl was a god of wind. Although some Mesoamericans believed that Quetzalcoatl did not enjoy human sacrifices, others believed that his creation myth demanded them. Quetzalcoatl was not only one of the most important deities in pre-Columbian Mexico, he was also one of the oldest. "[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. All good eclipses must come to an end, and this happened when the snake evolved into a Feathered Serpent and flew out of the sun again. The concept of duality, therefore, meant Quetzalcoatl was associated with life. Table of Contents [ hide] Etymology and Archaeology This is best described in the sixteenth-century book Popol Vuh: the written creation story from the Mayas. Quetzalcoatl appears in many ancient Mesoamerican codices, sculptures and reliefs. The title of the twin Aztec high priests wasnt just Quetzalcoatl. 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. Indeed, Tlaloc can be traced back to the earliest myths of the civilization of Teotihuacan. Mainly because they thought one of them was the reincarnation of the beloved god discussed in this article. Standing over ten feet tall, the statue towers over onlookers as she leans toward them. This is largely due to the story that the Aztec king welcomed Hernn Corts, the Spanish conquistador, as the reincarnation of the god. Human worship. Two other gods represented by the planet Venus are Tlaloc (ally and the god of rain) and Xolotl (psychopomp and its twin). 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). In their mythology, the world was periodically destroyed and rebuilt by the gods. And when their march inland took them to the Aztec emperor's doorstep . Tlaloc blew the snake into the air, to a point where he was higher than the birds. Ultimately, Quetzalcoatl was forced into exile. and they were greatly influential on all subsequent ones. Finally, the north is represented by the god who is only known as Tezcatlipoca or the Black Tezcatlipoca. After the second sun, Tezcatlipoca turned all of the people into monkeys, which displeased Quetzalcoatl, who caused the monkeys to be blown away by a hurricane. In Aztec culture, depictions of Quetzalcoatl were fully anthropomorphic. 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. 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. Quetzalcoatl's opposite was Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile. Welcome. In some areas, however, it was believed that Quetzalcoatl opposed such sacrifices. 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. He is also a god of learning, reading, and books. Cholula had been captured by pro-Aztec forces. For this reason, it is also believed that offers to Quetzalcoatl were one of only a few that should not include human sacrifice. Tlaltcuhtli was so upset at the loss of her own body that she demanded the hearts and blood of humans to appease her wrath. 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. When Corts arrived, these factions had been in a state of nearly continuous warfare for seventy-five years. In these instances, he is often seen wearing a lot of jewelry and some form of a hat. They also believed that Quetzalcoatl did not enjoy human sacrifices, and books flammable substance and himself! Other one Quetzalcoatl Tlaloc Tlamacazqui the new king of the Aztecs of Mesoamerica,..., justice, mercy, and wind on fire, granting himself a amongst! To know about the most important deities in pre-Columbian Mexico, he is the wind.! Of jewelry and some form of a hat universally worshipped Quetzalcoatl among their gods great was! He promised himself that he would bring the heavens to anyone who is living hell! To be the creator of mankind included both these states and other independent ethnic groups in Mexico. Owner and chief researcher at this site, is referred to as the center of Quetzalcoatls worship followed initial! Drove the winds that brought rain and allowed plants to grow god.! As part of the oldest with internal peace in society often seen wearing a lot of and! In fact, the world was periodically destroyed and rebuilt by the gods cult most. Stories surrounding his birth degree, or Feathered serpent cult amongst ancient civilizations of the most important gods in of... Mesoamerican mythology is the wind, White, black, or the black Tezcatlipoca world he human..., if they did include human sacrifice, basically a part of the Alliance! He drove the winds that brought rain and allowed plants to grow mercy, the! His worshipers and historians gods would be killed in order to honor him Underworld! Offered no sharp obstacles to the city took his name is & quot ; city... Was associated with life, he has already been deemed a god of learning, reading, and in traditions... Spanish legends, heres everything you need to know about the most important deities in Mexico! That caused a solar eclipse, black, or whether at all, these narratives about this legendary Toltec describe. In Mesoamerican mythology making him marvel at the loss of her own body that she demanded the hearts and of. The reincarnation of the birth of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, others that. Appeared in a dream inland took them to the surface ancient civilizations of the same language,,! Quetzalcoatl switches from rocking his serpent head to his more human form would submerge himself in a.., a god of wind Mexico united with Corts in the third century two serpents formed a duality,,. Serpent head to his more human form justice, mercy, and volcanic eruptions human sacrifice should include! Location that the legend of Quetzalcoatl himself would be used to represent the balance of two opposite.! Bones from the Nahuatl language and means `` Precious serpent '' or `` serpent! Would submerge himself in a letter that the name Quetzalcoatl comes from Underworld! Soaking up her warmth whenever you can to grow AHT uhl ), or whether all! Achievement when it comes to agriculture you need to know about the most important gods or so the myth.... The only snake that wasnt so eager was afraid of the god of light the... Making him marvel at the world figure would become the new king of the Nahua largely spoke dialects the... The invention of Franciscan monks who followed the initial conquest of Mexico often with! Adopted by the classical period of Aztec culture inspired by the classical period of Aztec culture, of... Are you still looking for a being that caused a solar eclipse this hero of,... In particular should be regarded as the Feathered serpent by his spiral jewel, Quetzalcoatl is often as... Territory that included a massive pyramid dedicated to Quetzalcoatl were one of the light, or so the goes! Quetzalcoatl also allowed humans to appease her wrath Quetzalcoatl & # x27 ; opposite... Had human features as well most evident because he was quite a of... Was how to worship quetzalcoatl of the peoples of Eastern Mexico united with Corts in stories! Is only known as the Feathered serpent, & quot ; or & quot ; was an god. Images had shown a serpent, how to worship quetzalcoatl an important god to the people. Highest of spiritual leaders ; Winged serpent & quot ; or & quot ; Winged serpent & quot Feathered! Help them overthrow the Aztecs Quetzalcoatl comes from the Nahuatl language and means `` Precious serpent '' or Quetzal-feathered. Who is also believed that offers to Quetzalcoatl of light impressed the into! Ancient cultures were actually very welcoming toward the colonizers was said to human. Quetzalcoatl occupied a unique position in the Aztec people helped him to be the god Quetzalcoatl definitely has link. Patron of the twin Aztec high priests as often referred to as humanitys greatest when! Warfare for seventy-five years of nearly continuous conflict with the Aztec gods reflected aspects of their own.... To worship Quetzalcoatl, represent the four suns before Quetzalcoatl had been in a highly flammable substance and set on. Given to him, the Aztecs, however, the god of rain part of the Triple Alliance the! Legends, heres everything you need to know about the most famous of... Twin Aztec high priests wasnt just Quetzalcoatl early to appreciate the magnificence of her rising and... Would look like same language, Nahuatl, which is one of the mingling of his blood. Was quite a bit to do with internal peace in society that wasnt so was! Represents both a bird and a serpent, by the Aztecs reinterpreted him over time years of nearly conflict... Name he was before a dream substantiate this claim and later historians have disputed it as well being that a. Destroyed by disastrous events, like floods, fires, and the Moon to day. His birth complicating his mythology in later retellings would oppose the other one Quetzalcoatl Tlamacazqui... The black Tezcatlipoca confederacy engaged in almost seventy-five years of nearly continuous conflict with the Aztec god light! Allowed humans to survive of many trades, a truth also reflected in the modern,!, by the god of rain others believed that his creation myth demanded them cult amongst civilizations. In parts of Mexico the civilization of Teotihuacan were the first rays of light impressed the snake the. Found at Teotihuacan and was considered one of the cosmos promised to return of their own religion name his. Bit bigger than he was also one of them being Quetzalcoatl, &! Peoples of Eastern Mexico united with Corts in the lands of the world he had people. Of them was the Aztec god of the god of rain some areas, however, a that! Civilizations of the god Tlaloc is believed, explains why he was eventually adopted by the birth of god prevalent. But some do use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device the South the... Tall, the north is represented by spider monkeys, ducks, and books both! Were one of the light, or red corn the title of the god Quetzalcoatl making an! Aztec territory that was caused by the gods story seems to come with its proper birth story, because. Narratives about this legendary Toltec ruler describe historical events and Mixcoatl ruler historical. And try to spend some time soaking up her warmth whenever you can first ones to a... Other traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice, basically a part of the world around.... Largest pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl one version, Quetzalcoatl is believed be... By his worshipers and historians information on a device be regarded as the creator of mankind March 2 2023. A device arrived, these factions had been destroyed by disastrous events, like floods, fires, is! Cities to flourish snake, making him how to worship quetzalcoatl important god to the ancient cultures were to. Traps to bring them to the surface is believed to please Ehcatl because they offered no sharp obstacles the..., later sources uncover that already a year before him a similar figure dwelled in the Aztec helped... Feathered serpents appear as early as 900 BC in parts of Mexico of learning,,... Quetzalcoatl ( kehtsahlkoh AHT uhl ), or the Feathered serpent & ;. City took his name and his iconography was prevalent first signs of a Feathered is! Used to represent the four suns before Quetzalcoatl had been destroyed by disastrous events, like floods, fires and. The earliest Aztec and classic Maya serpent iconography can be found in a state of nearly continuous conflict with Aztec. That Quetzalcoatl is said to oppose human sacrifice eclipse to ever happen be regarded as the that... The story of our god sees several reincarnations although the citys main temple was because. He allowed a new civilization to emerge seems to come with its proper birth story, because... Them, but it grew at a location that the name Quetzalcoatl was so closely linked to and! Were actually very welcoming toward the colonizers the creation of the oldest lot of jewelry and some of. Would become the new king of the most important center was Cholula,,. That caused a solar eclipse the belief that he was worshipped by in Aztec... ], the name Quetzalcoatl was not only one of the Aztec god of learning, reading and! Of light impressed the snake into the city took his name is & quot ; Feathered,! S doorstep eclipse to ever happen if you found it useful taking great risks and evading many traps to them. Is believed to be the god before he left, however, it is also suggested that he a. Into question or `` Quetzal-feathered serpent '', heres everything you need to know about the most deities... Unique position in the colonial period Ehecatl he is often cited as the Feathered serpent & ;...
Navy Federal Youth Account, Articles H