Mictlantecuhtli was the Aztec god of death and the principle god of the underworld. In the codices, he was generally more human-like. While at first a fully zoomorphic feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl would later be represented in his human form. This is also evident in the duality of serpent figures throughout Mesopotamian history. 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). He was also associated with the creation of mankind, so he also possibly occupied the role of creator in the Aztec mythology. In the Maya area he was approximately equivalent to Kukulkan and Gukumatz, names that also roughly translate as "feathered serpent" in different Mayan languages. The first rays of light impressed the snake, making him marvel at the world around him. 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. The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in colonial traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice. He was known as the inventor of books and the calendar, the giver of maize (corn) to mankind, and sometimes as a symbol of death and resurrection. Minster, Christopher. [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. Quetzalcoatl was associated with the wind-god Ehecatl and is often depicted with his insignia: a beak-like mask. As the story goes, the Aztec believed in a white, bearded god named Quetzalcoatl, who, long ago, had disappeared into the east. Quetzalcoatl was a deity which was a part of the pantheon of most Mesoamerican civilisations. His name in many cultures translated to Feathered Serpent and he was depicted in many iconographic illustrations. 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. All but one. The worship of Quetzalcoatl is wide-reaching, has a rich history, and exemplifies the complex world of Aztec mythology. 9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl. Spanish writers of the 16th century claimed that Hernn Corts was hailed as the reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl when he arrived in Mexico in 1519. In Aztec culture, this was considered to be one of the most important primal forces. 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. Some said that before this he had helped to create the world itself. Archaeological sites in Mexico City have street addresses, not GPS coordinates, as sites tend to elsewhere. In some traditions, he was considered to be the creator of mankind. Indeed, the same as the one from the Great Pyramid. As a god, its only logical that such reincarnations would be for the betterment of the earth and its people. Did the Incas worship Quetzalcoatl? Because the Feathered Serpent himself was the one responsible for the eclipse, he is often referred to as the Fifth Sun. His ashes rose into the sky and then his heart followed, becoming the morning star (see Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli). The meaning of his name is "Winged Serpent" or "Feathered Serpent". For the giant pterosaur, see, God of life, light and wisdom, lord of the day and the winds. The worship of Miclantecuhtli was ongoing with the arrival of Europeans in the Americas. In another, they worked together to tear apart a monster called Tlaltcuhtli and create the land and its features from her body. Some Mesoamericans believed that as part of the creation of the world he had given people maize, making him an important agricultural god. He sometimes carries flowers or sacrificial tools. [12] Feathered-serpent iconography is prominent at all of these sites. 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 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. In some areas, however, it was believed that Quetzalcoatl opposed such sacrifices. Quetzalcoatl wasnt all that happy with it, however. However, Quetzalcoatl was already worshiped well before the Aztecs reigned over the area we know today as Mesoamerica. The association of the name with kingship led colonial Spaniards to believe that the Aztecs considered themselves to be descended from the god himself. 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. (2020, August 28). Human worship. READ MORE: Water Gods and Sea Gods From Around the World. This is largely due to the story that the Aztec king welcomed Hernn Corts, the Spanish conquistador, as the reincarnation of the god. This talisman was a conch shell cut at the cross-section and was likely worn as a necklace by religious rulers, as such objects have been discovered in burials in archaeological sites throughout Mesoamerica,[6] and potentially symbolized patterns witnessed in hurricanes, dust devils, seashells, and whirlpools, which were elemental forces that had significance in Aztec mythology. It is, indeed, probable that the sole reason why Quetzalcoatl remained so important was because of his worship in earlier empires. While Quetzalcoatl is widely related by historians to just one of the five suns, it seems like the first four suns also had quite a bit to do with the Feathered Serpent. This idea of return stemmed from a supposed speech given by Montezuma, the Aztec ruler, to Corts when the Spanish arrived at Tenochtitlan. 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. 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. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) This is evident in the iconography recovered from these sites. It allows for a form of food security, and therefore for peace, and as a result, has taken on not only physical and economic importance but spiritual significance as well. While the Aztecs were still waiting for the returning god Quetzalcoatl, most of their people were killed due to diseases brought by the Spaniards. In these instances, he is often seen wearing a lot of jewelry and some form of a hat. Quetzalcoatl became linked with the maize crop thanks to ancient legends. ThoughtCo. likely used for curing rituals and private worship. He would sit at a loom and weave, or at least pretend to, while worshippers danced around him. (Many academics conclude this passage implies incest.) The first culture to use the symbol of a feathered serpent as an important religious and political symbol was that of Teotihuacan. The trip was far from easy, but Quetzalcoatl was able to complete it. They kept the same gods but believed in a new story. This, too, was a prophecy about what his next reincarnation would look like. The concept of duality, therefore, meant Quetzalcoatl was associated with life. But still, how could that ever be the case? His earrings are made of either jade or spiraling shells. Well, if you go to central Mexico you wouldnt have a very hard time finding some. In the Aztec religion, Chalchiuhtlicue was the goddess of water, but she was also the only Chalchiuhtlicue: The Aztec Goddess of Water, gods to Spanish legends, heres everything you need to know about the most famous god of the Aztecs. The most astonishing aspect of their worship, at least to the Spaniards, was their habit of human sacrifice . It is believed that the Feathered Serpent was responsible for all of it. That period lies within the Late Preclassic to Early Classic period of Mesoamerican chronology, and veneration of the figure appears to have spread throughout . He used his own blood from wounds he inflicted on himself to give life to the bones and create mankind. Each age of the world was given a new sun, and the world was on its Fifth Sun, having been destroyed four times previously. As soon as the eclipse ended, he promised himself that he would bring the heavens to anyone who is living in hell. In the extant Mayan sources, it has been revealed that Quetzalcoatl, or the Feathered Serpent, was associated with warfare as well as fertility. The History of Guns, Greek Mythology: Stories, Characters, Gods, and Culture, Aztec Mythology: Important Stories and Characters, Greek Gods and Goddesses: Family Tree and Fun Facts, Roman Gods and Goddesses: The Names and Stories of 29 Ancient Roman Gods, How Quetzalcoatl Created and Sustained Humans, How Quetzalcoatl Became Part of the Tezcatlipocas, Aztec and Maya Serpent Imagery of Quetzalcoatl, Water Gods and Sea Gods From Around the World, Sun Gods: Ancient Solar Deities From Around the World, 10 Gods of Death and the Underworld From Around the World, Herne the Hunter: Spirit of Windsor Forest, Sif: The Golden-Haired Goddess of the Norse, iPhone History: A Timeline of Every Model in Order, US History Timeline: The Dates of Americas Journey, Ancient Civilizations Timeline: 16 Oldest Known Cultures From Around The World, Why Are Hot Dogs Called Hot Dogs? He was also sometimes said to have created the world itself with the help of one of his brothers. Quetzalcoatls twin, Xolotl, was a god associated with death. 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. The importance of Quetzalcoatl in the Aztec civilization is, too, emphasized by his relationship with the priests of the empire. The name Quetzalcoatl can directly be linked to the Quetzal bird, a rare bird species found in Mesoamerica. The south is represented by Huitzilopochtli who is the Blue Tezcatlipoca and the god of war. [5] It was one of several important gods in the Aztec pantheon, along with the gods Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli. In this period the deity is known to have been named Quetzalchutl by his Nahua followers. Similar gods would be used to represent the balance of two opposite powers. 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. [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). Profile [] Identity []. Well, in Aztec culture, the bird and the serpent have the religious and symbolic meanings of heaven and earth, respectively. Over the South presides the Blue Tezcatlipoca, Huitzilopochtli, the god of war. Quetzalcoatl appears in many ancient Mesoamerican codices, sculptures and reliefs. Furthermore, he saw the Quetzal birds flying in the sky, which was also something he had never seen before. While drunk, Quetzalcoatl seduced his sister, a celibate priestess. One of the jewels he is depicted with is the wind jewel, affirming his status as a wind god. [41] However, in 1892 one president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, John Taylor, wrote:[42]. Quetzalcoatl was also the patron of the priests and the title of the twin Aztec high priests. The major worship of this god as Quetzalcoatl began in 700 . Getting the snake out of the cave had been Tlalocs only objective for months on end. Over the West presides the White Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl, the god of light, justice, mercy and wind. Of these, Quetzalcoatl was the Sun in the second cycle. The west is represented by Quetzalcoatl who is also the White Tezcatlipoca and the god of light, justice, mercy, and wind. From here, he would be seen as the morning star, while his twin brother would be seen as the evening star; planet Venus. [44], Quetzalcoatl was fictionalized in the 1982 film Q as a monster that terrorizes New York City. In yet another version, Quetzalcoatl is said to be one of the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl. 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. Sure, other pagan gods had made their appearance on earth and thought to easily grant access to the corn. "9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl." 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. 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. Historian Matthew Restall concludes that: The legend of the returning lords, originated during the Spanish-Mexica war in Corts' reworking of Moctezuma's welcome speech, had by the 1550s merged with the Corts-as-Quetzalcoatl legend that the Franciscans had started spreading in the 1530s. Cult worship may have involved the ingestion of hallucinogenic mushrooms (psilocybes), considered sacred. There are three different ways you can cite this article. [25] Quetzalcoatl was often considered the god of the morning star, and his twin brother Xolotl was the evening star (Venus). Some said that before this he had helped to create the world itself. Of these, Quetzalcoatl was the Sun in the second cycle. As a god of wind, Quetzalcoatl was also an important fertility deity. The attributes of Quetzalcoatl varied in different cultures of Mesoamerica during different eras. [47], In 1971 Tony Shearer published a book called Lord of the Dawn: Quetzalcoatl and the Tree of Life, inspiring New Age followers to visit Chichen Itza at the summer solstice when dragon-shaped shadows are cast by the Kulkulcan pyramid.[48]. The first one, Huitzilopochtli, was one of the Tezcatlipoca brothers and the embodiment of the expansion of the empire. 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 Nahua civilization, which included the central Mexican Aztecs, almost universally worshipped Quetzalcoatl among their gods. Standing over ten feet tall, the statue towers over onlookers as she leans toward them. 2. There, they greatly influenced late Mayan culture. 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 pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus was named after the deity. Ehecatl In some Aztec areas, such as Tenochtitlan, this was another wind god with nearly identical iconography to Quetzalcoatl. Quetzalcoatl was the Aztec version of this plumed snake archetype. [7] Animals thought to represent Quetzalcoatl include resplendent quetzals, rattlesnakes (coatl meaning "serpent" in Nahuatl), crows, and macaws. [19] The most important center was Cholula, where the world's largest pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship. 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. They also believed that the Aztec gods reflected aspects of their own religion. Although early images had shown a serpent, by the classical period of Aztec culture Quetzalcoatl was more often shown with a human body. The gods powers extended beyond the wind, however. The colonization of Mesoamerica, or rather Abya Yala, has severely impacted the area where Quetzalcoatl was worshiped. 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. What a conundrum. 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. After the eclipse of the fourth sun, Quetzalcoatl would go on a trip to the underworld. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Because of this, the latest reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl would come to earth to do exactly that. 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