Quetzalcoatlhe was the wind, the guide and road sweeper of the rain gods, of the masters of the water, of those who brought rain. 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. Mayans had deities with feathered serpent as their names. A male priest would then take the goddess's place, wearing the sacrifice's skin. In the underworld, Quetzalcoatl went all the way to Mictln; the lowest region of the Aztec underworld. Archaeological sites in Mexico City have street addresses, not GPS coordinates, as sites tend to elsewhere. Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca may have been worshiped as early as 10,000 BC. He would submerge himself in a highly flammable substance and set himself on fire, granting himself a place amongst the stars. Because of this, the ways in which he was worshipped varied widely. The first documented worship of Quetzalcoatl is found in Theotihuacan during the first century BC or first century AD. Ququmatz Also written as Gukumatz, this name belonged to the Kiche Maya. likely used for curing rituals and private worship. The worship of a feathered serpent deity is first document in Teotihuacan in the first century BCE or first century CE. 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. 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, or Feathered Serpent, was an important god to the ancient people of Mesoamerica. The Toltec people, who the Aztecs considered to be their ancestors, used Quetzalcoatl as a title for military and political rulers. Quetzalcoatl wasnt all that happy with it, however. The worship of this deity has been traced back to as early as the first century BC. [22], To the Aztecs, Quetzalcoatl was, as his name indicates, a feathered serpent. Before he left, however, he promised to return. In Tenochtitlan, Quezelcoatls name was used as a priestly title. My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. By adding a bit of his own blood, he allowed a new civilization to emerge. He was worshiped among all the major cultures of the Mesoamerican region through history. ", "Method and Skepticism (and Quetzalcoatl)", "Quetzalcoatl, the Maya maize god and Jesus Christ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Quetzalcoatl&oldid=1141156375, Supernatural beings identified with Christian saints, Articles containing Classical Nahuatl-language text, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles having different image on Wikidata and Wikipedia, Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from August 2019, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2019, Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from June 2021, All articles that may contain original research, Articles that may contain original research from June 2021, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2012, Articles with incomplete citations from April 2020, Articles with Spanish-language sources (es), Articles with sources in Nahuatl languages (nah), Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, White Tecatlipoca, Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl, Feathered Serpent, Precious Twin, Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, Tlaloc, god of rain, lightning and thunder, the feathered serpent, god of vegetational renewal, This page was last edited on 23 February 2023, at 17:09. In Mesoamerican history, many different ethnopolitical groups worshiped a feathered-serpent deity. 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 . Aztec Gods Quetzalcoatl Tezcatlipoca Quetzalcoatl occupied a unique position in the Aztec pantheon and was considered one of the most important gods. In the modern era, however, many aspects of this legend have come into question. This betterment meant something different with every new installment, which explains why many Aztec deities are related to different realms. In Xochicalco, depictions of the feathered serpent accompany the image of a seated, armed ruler and the hieroglyph for the day sign 9 Wind. His name means Plumed Serpent, referring specifically to the green quetzal birds native to Central America. Because, if they did include human sacrifice, basically a part of Quetzalcoatl himself would be killed in order to honor him. As the morning star, he was known by the title Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, meaning "lord of the star of the dawn". [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). Rise early to appreciate the magnificence of her rising, and try to spend some time soaking up her warmth whenever you can. After months of rain, the snake was forced to come out of the cave. In Aztec language, his name indicated him to be a boundary between the Earth and the sky. But, remember, the promise of Quetzalcoatl was to bring heaven to the beings that were living in hell. He is a powerful and benevolent dragon-type entity associated with harvests, wild animals, the morning star ( Venus ), wind and rain. Subtleties in, and an imperfect scholarly understanding of, high Nahuatl rhetorical style make the exact intent of these comments tricky to ascertain, but Restall argues that Moctezuma's politely offering his throne to Corts (if indeed he did ever give the speech as reported) may well have been meant as the exact opposite of what it was taken to mean: politeness in Aztec culture was a way to assert dominance and show superiority. The Origin of Hotdogs, The History of Boracay Island in The Philippines. Quetzalcoatl is closely associated with the myth of the four cardinal directions. Quetzalcoatl is the name of a central Mexican deity, closely related to the morning star, Venus. What are the facts associated with this mysterious god? [13] Furthermore, early Spanish sources written by clerics tend to identify the god-ruler Quetzalcoatl of these narratives with either Hernn Corts or Thomas the Apostleidentifications which have also become sources of a diversity of opinions about the nature of Quetzalcoatl. Standing over ten feet tall, the statue towers over onlookers as she leans toward them. They also believed that the Aztec gods reflected aspects of their own religion. Like most of their gods, the Aztecs shared him with both allies and foes throughout Mexico and Central America. As a god, its only logical that such reincarnations would be for the betterment of the earth and its people. Cortes continued to play the role of Quetzalcoatl for many years and eventually impacted others to convert. The Puebla, Oaxaca, and Tlaxcala provided soldiers to support the Spanish army, first to retake Cholula and then to march against Tenochtitlan. Cholula remained the most important center of worship of Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec/Nahua version of the feathered-serpent deity, in the post-classic period. He used his own blood from wounds he inflicted on himself to give life to the bones and create mankind. In this period the deity is known to have been named Quetzalchutl by his Nahua followers. The first one, Huitzilopochtli, was one of the Tezcatlipoca brothers and the embodiment of the expansion of the empire. While drunk, Quetzalcoatl seduced his sister, a celibate priestess. 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. The Spanish helped non-Aztec groups reclaim territory that included a massive pyramid dedicated to Quetzalcoatl. This is also evident in the duality of serpent figures throughout Mesopotamian history. Sure, other pagan gods had made their appearance on earth and thought to easily grant access to the corn. 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. Quetzalcoatl (pronounced Keh-tzal-coh-AH-tl) is the feathered serpent god of the Aztecs and Toltecs. Tlaloc blew the snake into the air, to a point where he was higher than the birds. When Cortes and his crew of Spaniards came ashore in Mexico in 1519, many thought they were gods. 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 date 9 Wind is known to be associated with fertility, Venus and war among the Maya and frequently occurs in relation to Quetzalcoatl in other Mesoamerican cultures. . [41] However, in 1892 one president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, John Taylor, wrote:[42]. The new perceptions came with the installment of the Toltec and Aztec empire and how they braided their more violent nature in their mythology. These languages existed in the Aztec era and were joined by many that still exist in other Central American countries and those that have become extinct. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. Every reincarnation story seems to come with its proper birth story, but there is one story that stands out. Others said that he had invented the calendar and books. Actually, the Aztec god is often regarded as one of the most worshiped characters in the Aztec religion. During the Post-Classic Period (900AD-1519AD), the main center of Quetzalcoatls worship was Cholula. The worship of Quetzalcoatl is wide-reaching, has a rich history, and exemplifies the complex world of Aztec mythology. The two priests came to their position after living an exemplary life, with pure and compassionate hearts. [45][46] The deity has been featured as a character in the manga and anime series Yu-Gi-Oh! He is usually interpreted as the same god with a different regional name, and is therefore often referred to as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl. Looking at the iconography and retold myths of Mesoamerica, some historians have theories that Quetzalcoatl came to be associated with culture and urban civilization. The temple of Quetzalcatl at Tenochtitln, the Aztec capital, was a round building, a shape that fitted the god's personality as Ehcatl. While Quetzacoatl is one of the most well-known gods of ancient Mexico, he is often misunderstood. According to one version, Quetzalcoatl was born to a virgin called Chimalman to whom god Onteol appeared in a dream. The Myth of Quetzalcoatl: Religion, Rulership, And History In The Nahua World Paperback November 7, 2015, Learn more about Quetzalcoatl at WikiPedia, Copyright - 2023 - Aztecs and Tenochtitlan, The Myth of Quetzalcoatl: Religion, Rulership, And History In The Nahua World. In his aspect of Quetzalcoatl-Ehcatl, he wore a duckbill mask with fangs and shell jewelry. Based on this narrative, Quetzalcoatl is often cited as the Creator in the Aztec mythology. [19] The most important center was Cholula, where the world's largest pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship. 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. Quetzalcoatl's opposite was Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile. He also had anthropomorphic forms, for example in his aspects as Ehecatl the wind god. This constitutes the Late Pre-Classic Period of the Mayan civilization. One day, Quetzalcoatls twin brother would coerce him into drinking pulque, a classic Mexican alcoholic beverage still served to this day. 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. Quetzalcoatl went to Mictlan, the underworld, and created fifth-world mankind from the bones of the previous races (with the help of Cihuacoatl), using his own blood, from a wound he inflicted on his earlobes, calves, tongue, and penis, to imbue the bones with new life. One of his most defining attributes, however, is his breastplate. The Aztec confederacy was opposed by other Nahua groups to the east. The cult even spread down into the Maya lands. Round monuments occur particularly often in Huastec territory. 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. Tlaloc we already know. Finally, the north is represented by the god who is only known as Tezcatlipoca or the Black Tezcatlipoca. Aztec ceremonies often lasted several days . "9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl." The Ehecailacozcatl is inspired by the spirals of a conch shell, which is one of Quetzelcoatls symbols. At Cholula, however, the gods cult is most evident. The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in other traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice. Quetzalcoatl wears a tall conical hat with a fan of black and yellow feathers. 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 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. The Aztecs werent a big fan of chronological order and shook up the world of the gods. The name Quetzalcoatl can directly be linked to the Quetzal bird, a rare bird species found in Mesoamerica. [8] In his form as the morning star, Venus, he is also depicted as a harpy eagle. Some said that before this he had helped to create the world itself. 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. 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. Some said that before this he had helped to create the world itself. However, each and every god had failed terribly in doing so. [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]. Why is that? Quetzalcoatl by himself was a god of many things to the Toltecs and Aztecs. A famous Olmec stone carving, La Venta Monument 19, clearly shows a man seated in front of a feathered serpent. 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 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. The pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus was named after the deity. The invaders looked an awful lot like these late depictions. and they were greatly influential on all subsequent ones. It is believed by the Aztec religion expert that the deity arose from the combination of the historical leader, Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl, and a Mesoamerican god. 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. 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. Of course, the odd one out sparked the interest of Tlaloc. Quetzalcoatl, or "Feathered Serpent," was an important god to the ancient people of Mesoamerica. The language is spoken today in the highlands of central Guatemala. Plumed serpents continued to be depicted in Central American cultures. Mictlantecuhtli was the Aztec god of death and the principle god of the underworld. What is often called the Aztec Empire was a confederation of three city-states, established in the 14th and 15th centuries. Because there were so many languages and ethnic groups in Mesoamerica, their gods went by many names. That is, according to the Aztecs. This made crops grow and brought water for drinking. The Teotihuacan iconographical depictions are often interpreted as a version where Quetzalcoatl played the role of a fertility-related serpent deity. However, independent historical sources do not substantiate this claim and later historians have disputed it as well. 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. 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? Have you ever eaten blue, white, black, or red corn? Evidence of such worship comes from the iconography of different Mesoamerican cultures, in which serpent motifs occur frequently. Well, look no further, because Quetzalcoatl is your guy. [5] It was one of several important gods in the Aztec pantheon, along with the gods Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli. 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. 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 documented worship of Quetzalcoatl is found in Theotihuacan during the first century BC or first century AD.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'aztecsandtenochtitlan_com-box-4','ezslot_7',140,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aztecsandtenochtitlan_com-box-4-0'); This constitutes the Late Pre-Classic Period of the Mayan civilization.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'aztecsandtenochtitlan_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aztecsandtenochtitlan_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); By the Late Classic Period (600AD-900AD), it appears that the worship of Quetzalcoatl had spread throughout the Mesoamerican region. To whom god Onteol appeared in a dream that stands out this constitutes the Late Pre-Classic period of feathered-serpent! Ethnic groups in Mesoamerica, their gods went by many names territory that included a massive dedicated... 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