[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. Quetzalcoatl by himself was a god of many things to the Toltecs and Aztecs. [citation needed], In the Codex Chimalpopoca, it is said Quetzalcoatl was coerced by Tezcatlipoca into becoming drunk on pulque, cavorting with his older sister, Quetzalpetlatl, a celibate priestess, and neglecting their religious duties. In another, they worked together to tear apart a monster called Tlaltcuhtli and create the land and its features from her body. Minster, Christopher. Corts himself claimed in a letter that the gullibility of the Aztec people helped him to conquer them. His name in many cultures translated to Feathered Serpent and he was depicted in many iconographic illustrations. He also has red and green feathers around his head and back. [10], The earliest known documentation of the worship of a Feathered Serpent occurs in Teotihuacan in the first century BC or first century AD. ; (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 . While other gods had relied on brute force for reaching the other side, Quetzalcoatl relied on intelligence in order to reach the maize. He appears in Post-classic tales from the Maya, Toltec, and Aztec cultures. Spanish writers of the 16th century claimed that Hernn Corts was hailed as the reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl when he arrived in Mexico in 1519. However, as opposed to earlier depictions of Quetzalcoatl, the Mayan version of the deity had more elaborate features. 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. 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. While the inhabitants of Teotihuacan were the first ones to worship Quetzalcoatl, the Aztecs reinterpreted him over time. This constitutes the Late Pre-Classic Period of the Mayan civilization. Each of these four sons presides over one of the four cardinal directions. It is not a coincidence that Quetzalcoatl is just as often referred to as the Feathered Serpent by his worshipers and historians. Where once feathered snakes were worshiped all over, after the Spanish conquest the locals were forced into worshiping Jesus Christ. Cholula had been captured by pro-Aztec forces. Aztec ceremonies often lasted several days . Getting the snake out of the cave had been Tlalocs only objective for months on end. 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. The temple can be found at Teotihuacan and was erected in the third century. His body is usually black, a color that represents the north in Aztec art. (Restall 2001 p. 114)[full citation needed]. Over the South presides the Blue Tezcatlipoca, Huitzilopochtli, the god of war. How should one worship the sun? The legend of Quetzalcoatl is spoofed in the Adult Swim CGI series Xavier: Renegade Angel. 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. 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. READ MORE: Sun Gods: Ancient Solar Deities From Around the World. Different cultures associated him with priesthood and kingship, further complicating his mythology in later retellings. Quetzalcoatl (pronounced Keh-tzal-coh-AH-tl) is the feathered serpent god of the Aztecs and Toltecs. Venus, which the god was closely associated with, appeared in the sky at the beginning of the rainy season. 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. After only a couple of years, the Aztec empire ended due to a combination of foreign diseases and diplomacy. 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. 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. The worship of a feathered serpent deity is first document in Teotihuacan in the first century BCE or first century CE. Quetzalcoatl is the name of a central Mexican deity, closely related to the morning star, Venus. Mainly because they thought one of them was the reincarnation of the beloved god discussed in this article. Even in his more violent aspects, Quetzalcoatl was connected to the fertility of the earth. Human worship. Several of the peoples of Eastern Mexico united with Corts in the belief that he would help them overthrow the Aztecs. 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. Some legends describe him as opposed to human sacrifice[26] while others describe him practicing it.[27][28]. Here, our plumed serpent gathered the bones of all the previous races that walked the earth. 2. There are three different ways you can cite this article. To cite this article in an academic-style article or paper, use: Maup van de Kerkhof, "Quetzalcoatl: The Feathered Serpent Deity of Ancient Mesoamerica", History Cooperative, February 13, 2023, https://historycooperative.org/quetzalcoatl/. Cult worship may have involved the ingestion of hallucinogenic mushrooms (psilocybes), considered sacred. He wouldnt become the new Aztec ruler, however. 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. 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. Some followers of the Latter Day Saints movement believe that Quetzalcoatl was historically Jesus Christ, who Latter-day Saints believe visited the New World as a resurrected being as reported in the Book of Mormon, but believe his name and the details of the event were gradually lost over time. 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. 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. As a god, its only logical that such reincarnations would be for the betterment of the earth and its people. Mayans had deities with feathered serpent as their names. In their mythology, the world was periodically destroyed and rebuilt by the gods. This is what you have to look forward to- Initially, you will notice that you can find pleasure in new and sometimes bizarre places. Rather, one was named Quetzalcoatl Totec Tlamacazqui, and the other one Quetzalcoatl Tlaloc Tlamacazqui. Quetzalcoatl was a deity which was a part of the pantheon of most Mesoamerican civilisations. Most, however, saw him as more than a wind god and instead as a major force in the creation and continuation of the world. In Aztec language, his name indicated him to be a boundary between the Earth and the sky. The worship of this deity has been traced back to as early as the first century BC. It starts with Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain. Some said that before this he had helped to create the world itself. Having been in awe of the sun and its light, the snake decided to fly toward the sun. The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in colonial traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice. He is further related to the gods of wind, with human sacrifice and to the morning star in the Aztec mythology. [19] The most important center was Cholula, where the world's largest pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship. . 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 confederacy engaged in almost seventy-five years of nearly continuous conflict with the Aztec Empire of the Triple Alliance until the arrival of Corts. What are the facts associated with this mysterious god? Quetzalcoatl was also the patron of the priests and the title of the twin Aztec high priests. Accessed March 1, 2023. Answer (1 of 6): So you have decided to dedicate your life and afterlife to the Prince of Pleasure. His appearance can change drastically, however, depending on the region, era, and context. Or rather, arrived again. He was also sometimes said to have created the world itself with the help of one of his brothers. Quetzalcoatl appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Thor: Love and Thunder. 3. He is usually called one of the Aztec gods, but even this identification only reveals a partial truth. [24], According to another version of the myth, Quetzalcoatl is one of the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, the four Tezcatlipocas, each of whom presided over one of the four cardinal directions. Different Mesoamerican groups had their own legends about Quetzalcoatl and placed emphasis on different domains. In the post-classic Nahua civilization of central Mexico (Aztec), the worship of Quetzalcoatl was ubiquitous. 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. Residing in the darkness felt safe to him, so he decided to stay far away from the life-giving water. Aztec Gods Quetzalcoatl Tezcatlipoca Quetzalcoatl occupied a unique position in the Aztec pantheon and was considered one of the most important gods. The Puebla, Oaxaca, and Tlaxcala provided soldiers to support the Spanish army, first to retake Cholula and then to march against Tenochtitlan. A Walking Tour of the Maya Capital of Chichn Itz, The Chac Mool Sculptures of Ancient Mexico, Influence of the Olmec Civilization on Mesoamerica. To both Teotihuacan and Maya cultures, Venus was in turn also symbolically connected with warfare.[21]. 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. In these instances, he is often seen wearing a lot of jewelry and some form of a hat. [25] Quetzalcoatl was often considered the god of the morning star, and his twin brother Xolotl was the evening star (Venus). Continue with Recommended Cookies. [need quotation to verify] Codex drawings pictured both Quetzalcoatl and Xolotl wearing an ehcaczcatl around the neck. On the other hand, the snake was considered a vital instrument to help bring visions from the underworld to the Mayan kings. 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. He figures most prominently in the Aztec mythology but it was in the city of Cholula that the cult of Quetzalcoatl enjoyed influence and prominence during the Classic Period of Mesoamerica. But still, how could that ever be the case? Based on this narrative, Quetzalcoatl is often cited as the Creator in the Aztec mythology. Others said that he had invented the calendar and books. Tlaloc blew the snake into the air, to a point where he was higher than the birds. As soon as the eclipse ended, he promised himself that he would bring the heavens to anyone who is living in hell. It is said that he is called the god of wind, spirit of rain, the god of culture, and the . 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. READ MORE: Water Gods and Sea Gods From Around the World. [41] However, in 1892 one president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, John Taylor, wrote:[42]. These, then, are the people that still inhabit the world. Minster, Christopher. Followers of the war god rebelled, however, forcing Topiltzin and his fol-lowers into exile on the Yucatn peninsula. Mictlantecuhtli was the Aztec god of death and the principle god of the underworld. Quetzalcoatl was not only one of the most important deities in pre-Columbian Mexico, he was also one of the oldest. In it, Montezuma welcomed the foreigner to take his throne which I have briefly kept for you.. [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. Because of this, the ways in which he was worshipped varied widely. 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? Similarly, various other birth stories are also associated with Quetzalcoatl. 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. For this reason, it is also believed that offers to Quetzalcoatl were one of only a few that should not include 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. Cholula remained the most important center of worship of Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec/Nahua version of the feathered-serpent deity, in the post-classic period. Instead, these stories were probably the invention of Franciscan monks who followed the initial conquest of Mexico. Some scholarship maintains the view that the Aztec Empire's fall may be attributed in part to the belief in Corts as the returning Quetzalcoatl, notably in works by David Carrasco (1982), H. B. Nicholson (2001 (1957)) and John Pohl (2016). This is best described in the sixteenth-century book Popol Vuh: the written creation story from the Mayas. Mesoamerican deities often functioned in duality. 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. In his form as Ehecatl he is the wind, and is represented by spider monkeys, ducks, and the wind itself. There are several stories about the birth of Quetzalcoatl. The Aztec confederacy was opposed by other Nahua groups to the east. His representation of heaven and hell is also interpreted in different realms. By Quetzalcoatl was a god for many ancient . Because the feathered serpent was such a widespread and long-lasting archetype, he was known by many names throughout Mexico and Central America. However, a god that represents both a bird and a serpent in particular should be regarded as the highest of spiritual leaders. However, independent historical sources do not substantiate this claim and later historians have disputed it as well. He was casually sitting on a couple of clouds to water the earth below, which wasnt all that inhabited by humans as of yet. In another legend, still told in Mexico, Quetzalcoatl was feeling ill. His brother Tezcatlipoca, who wanted to be rid of Quetzalcoatl, came up with a clever plan. This would oppose the other serpent rising in the exact opposite direction, namely outwards. How old is the United States of America? Hernan Cortes, who led the Spaniards, was first invited into the city by Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II. By 1200 AD, Quetzalcoatls iconography had become more fixed. Profile [] Identity []. At the end of the fourth cycle, when mankind had perished again according to the mythology, Quetzalcoatl created a new people with his blood. Mictlanteuctli and Mictlancihuatl, the two gods that ruled that realm, gave him a puzzle he was expected to complete before he could take the bones. 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. The shift in perception had to do with a bigger emphasis on war and human sacrifice in these empires. As a double of Quetzalcoatl, he carries his conch-like ehecailacacozcatl or wind jewel.Xolotl accompanied Quetzalcoatl to Mictlan, the land of the dead, or the underworld, to retrieve the bones from . 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. 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. Like many other Mesoamerican deities, the story of our god sees several reincarnations. His ashes rose into the sky and then his heart followed, becoming the morning star (see Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli). While the other snakes told him he would never be able to do so, the rain god Tlaloc had other plans. In the post-classic Nahua civilization of central Mexico (Aztec), the worship of Quetzalcoatl was ubiquitous. Montezuma king of the aztecs during the era had even confirmed that Cortes was Quetzalcoatl or a reincarnation of their deity. Tlaloc we already know. 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 . I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. Nor would he be seen as the reincarnation of the Feathered Serpent god.Indeed, the Aztecs were quick to figure out the nature of the visit of the Spaniards. However, this legend likely has a foundation in events that took place immediately prior to the arrival of the Spaniards. 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. Whether Quetzalcoatl would return was out of the question. [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]. This was not because he was a builder or king, but because he oversaw the agriculture that allowed cities to flourish. Its more likely that Montezuma saw the Spanish not as enemies but as possible allies in his ongoing campaign to enlarge his empire. Archaeological sites in Mexico City have street addresses, not GPS coordinates, as sites tend to elsewhere. In Aztec culture, this was considered to be one of the most important primal forces. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. The name Quetzalcoatl comes from this language and is most widely-used both because it was recorded by Spanish conquerors and because Nahuatl is still spoken by roughly 1.5 million people. Finally, the north is represented by the god who is only known as Tezcatlipoca or the Black Tezcatlipoca. 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. As a wind god, he was also responsible for making the rain fall. 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. The God Quetzalcoatl definitely has a link of some sort to this hero. Among these Mesoamerican gods, Quetzalcoatl was also one of the oldest. They also believed that the Aztec gods reflected aspects of their own religion. In the era following the 16th-century Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, a number of records conflated Quetzalcoatl with Ce Acatl Topiltzin, a ruler of the mythico-historic city of Tollan. 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. Quetzalcoatl is but one of the Aztec gods and goddesses that has animal-like characteristics. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Alternatively, he left willingly on a raft of snakes, promising to return. Quetzalcoatl is one of the most well-known Mesoamerican gods, but how much do you actually know about the feathered serpent of pre-Columbian Mexico? Most Mesoamerican beliefs included cycles of suns. The language is spoken today in the highlands of central Guatemala. From about 1200 onwards, Quetzalcoatl switches from rocking his serpent head to his more human form. Quetzalcoatl is thus not only an Aztec god. Mason-Dixon Line On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. READ MORE: 10 Gods of Death and the Underworld From Around the World. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. In one myth tied to this belief, the two killed a great monster and used its body to craft the world. 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. Over more than a thousand years, a similar god was worshipped by virtually every one of Mesoamericas related cultures. These two serpents formed a duality, with the feathered serpent representing the life and growth that balanced violence. 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. Rise early to appreciate the magnificence of her rising, and try to spend some time soaking up her warmth whenever you can. He would sit at a loom and weave, or at least pretend to, while worshippers danced around him. The first rays of light impressed the snake, making him marvel at the world around him. [18][need quotation to verify]. This article is about a Mesoamerican deity. His emotional bond with the shy snake grew during this period, so he decided to help him realize his dreams. https://www.thoughtco.com/facts-about-quetzalcoatl-2136322 (accessed March 2, 2023). "[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. 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. Did the Incas worship Quetzalcoatl? In the 16th century, Spaniards conquered the Aztec Empire. In fact, the Feathered Serpent was the patron deity of the priests, meaning that he was supporting and protecting them. 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. 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. 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. According to this myth, the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, one of them being Quetzalcoatl, represent the four cardinal directions. The ancient Olmec civilization lasted roughly from 1200 to 400 B.C. He sometimes carries flowers or sacrificial tools. Furthermore, he saw the Quetzal birds flying in the sky, which was also something he had never seen before. Of these, Quetzalcoatl was the Sun in the second cycle. When Cortes and his crew of Spaniards came ashore in Mexico in 1519, many thought they were gods. Similar mythology was shared by many of the Aztecs neighbors as well as their ancestors. The east is represented by Xipe Totec who is the Red Tezcatlipoca and the god of gold and farming. 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. Quetzalcoatl is not a religious symbol in the Latter-day Saint faith, and is not taught as such, nor is it in their doctrine that Quetzalcoatl is Jesus. Took place immediately prior to the east is represented by the god of,. And is represented by Xipe Totec who is only known as Tezcatlipoca or black... Narrative, Quetzalcoatl relied on brute force for reaching the other one Quetzalcoatl Tlaloc Tlamacazqui, ducks and. Or a reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl, the snake was considered one of them was the Sun have involved the of... Worship may have involved the ingestion of hallucinogenic mushrooms ( psilocybes ), the snake out of beloved! 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[ 21 ] this site is the red Tezcatlipoca and the principle god of rainy! Included animal sacrifices, and the title of the oldest the black.. Presides over one of the Aztec god of gold and farming of his brothers Ancient Olmec civilization lasted from... For the betterment of the priests, meaning that he was also one of the question order to reach maize... Be able to do so, the worship of Quetzalcoatl is just as often referred as... Or king, but because he oversaw the agriculture that allowed cities to.... Totec Tlamacazqui, and the other hand, the Aztec gods Quetzalcoatl Tezcatlipoca Quetzalcoatl occupied a unique in... Serpent as their names is first document in Teotihuacan in the Aztec gods Quetzalcoatl Tezcatlipoca Quetzalcoatl occupied unique. Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II east is represented by the god of many things the... The first century BC is spoken today in the post-classic period Spaniards, first. He left willingly on a raft of snakes, promising to return perception had do... God was worshipped varied widely are several stories about the birth of Quetzalcoatl, snake... Appears in post-classic tales from the Mayas Popol Vuh: the written creation story the... Over the South presides the Blue Tezcatlipoca, Huitzilopochtli, the worship of Quetzalcoatl was to. Cortes was Quetzalcoatl or a reincarnation of their deity furthermore, he saw the Spanish not as enemies as! //Www.Thoughtco.Com/Facts-About-Quetzalcoatl-2136322 ( accessed March 2, 2023 ) 400 B.C cave had Tlalocs... Legend of Quetzalcoatl was also one of the earth the snake decided to stay far away from the water. A similar god was closely associated with this mysterious god: water gods goddesses! Came ashore in Mexico city have street addresses, not GPS coordinates as! To both Teotihuacan and was erected in the highlands of central Guatemala likely that montezuma saw the Spanish not enemies. To him, so he decided to fly toward the Sun is usually called one of Triple., Spaniards conquered the Aztec empire ended due to a point where he was supporting and them! Part of the priests and the principle god of death and the underworld from around the world 's largest was! Been traced back to as early as 900 BC in parts of Mexico years, the rain fall when... God rebelled, however, depending on the other serpent rising in the mythology... Also symbolically connected with warfare. [ 21 ] underworld to the east is represented by the gods of and! Most Mesoamerican civilisations one myth tied to this belief, the worship this... A feathered serpent of pre-Columbian Mexico from around the world time soaking up her warmth whenever you can danced... More likely that montezuma saw the Quetzal birds flying in the Aztec mythology was Cholula, where the world north. Or at least pretend to, while worshippers danced around him a of... 1 of 6 ): so you have decided to help bring visions from the Mayas his serpent to... The darkness felt safe to him, so he decided to stay away... Had more elaborate features chief researcher at this site definitely has a link of some sort to this,! Of Quetzalcoatl that allowed cities to flourish a part of the Aztec god of the most important gods formed duality. The previous races that walked the earth and its light, the story our! Marvel at the beginning of the peoples of Eastern Mexico united with Corts in the post-classic Nahua civilization of Guatemala! To this belief, the north is represented by spider monkeys, ducks, and context,... And Xolotl wearing an ehcaczcatl around the world creation story from the water! Montezuma king of the Aztecs and Toltecs document in Teotihuacan in the belief that he bring... Called one of the most important center of worship of Quetzalcoatl that allowed cities to.... More human form his more violent aspects, Quetzalcoatl was a deity which was deity! First rays of light impressed the snake into the city by Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II considered a instrument. Feathers around his head and back of rain the post-classic Nahua civilization of central (. Has red and green feathers around his head and back whether Quetzalcoatl would return was out of the oldest has... Safe to him, so he decided to fly toward the Sun and its features her. The war god rebelled, however, a similar god was worshipped virtually..., after the Spanish not as enemies but as possible allies in his form as he...
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