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likely used for curing rituals and private worship. [8] In his form as the morning star, Venus, he is also depicted as a harpy eagle. 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. Indeed, the same as the one from the Great Pyramid. [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. These sources further claimed that it was because of this superstition that Moctezuma II invited Cortes as a guest and didnt harm him or his soldiers. Others said that he had invented the calendar and books. In the post-classic Nahua civilization of central Mexico (Aztec), the worship of Quetzalcoatl was ubiquitous. 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. In one myth tied to this belief, the two killed a great monster and used its body to craft the world. There is no surviving account of this myth in native sources, however. [44], Quetzalcoatl was fictionalized in the 1982 film Q as a monster that terrorizes New York City. 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 worship of Miclantecuhtli was ongoing with the arrival of Europeans in the Americas. Actually, the Aztec god is often regarded as one of the most worshiped characters in the Aztec religion. 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. A male priest would then take the goddess's place, wearing the sacrifice's skin. Temple of Ehcatl-Quetzalcoatl. One day, Quetzalcoatls twin brother would coerce him into drinking pulque, a classic Mexican alcoholic beverage still served to this day. Quetzalcoatl was also associated with Venus, the Morning Star, and thus the dawn. The city was known as the center of Quetzalcoatls worship. In his form as Ehecatl he is the wind, and is represented by spider monkeys, ducks, and the wind itself. Among the Aztecs, the name Quetzalcoatl was also a priestly title, as the two most important priests of the Aztec Templo Mayor were called "Quetzalcoatl Tlamacazqui". This made crops grow and brought water for drinking. Much of the idea of Corts being seen as a deity can be traced back to the Florentine Codex written down some 50 years after the conquest. Among Quetzacoatls most important roles was his function as a god of fertility. 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. Well, look no further, because Quetzalcoatl is your guy. 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. But even things of an extremely mundane nature like s. Quetzalcoatl, or Feathered Serpent, was an important god to the ancient people of Mesoamerica. Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca may have been worshiped as early as 10,000 BC. The pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus was named after the deity. Different cultures associated him with priesthood and kingship, further complicating his mythology in later retellings. He took his companion Xolotl, a dog-headed god, with him. Around the 5th and 6th centuries, the cult of the feather serpent spread to many central Mexican cities, including Cocaxtla and Cholula. Quetzalcoatl became, in fact, the very title of the most important priests: the twin Aztec High Priests. Even today, however, Nahuatl is just one of sixty-three native languages recognized in Mexico. A young woman would be dressed as Xochiquetzal before being beheaded and flayed. In the underworld, Quetzalcoatl went all the way to Mictln; the lowest region of the Aztec underworld. One legend claimed that the star was Quetzalcoatls heart, placed in the sky after he burned himself alive out of shame for neglecting his duties. This made it an important sign of fertility because it brought with it the rains that renewed the earth. However, later sources uncover that already a year before him a similar figure dwelled in the lands of the Aztec territory. 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. . In the Mesoamerican Epiclassic Period (900-1200 A.D.), worship of Quetzalcoatl took off. This constitutes the Late Pre-Classic Period of the Mayan civilization. In the Codex's description of the first meeting between Moctezuma and Corts, the Aztec ruler is described as giving a prepared speech in classical oratorial Nahuatl, a speech which, as described in the codex written by the Franciscan Bernardino de Sahagn and his Tlatelolcan informants, included such prostrate declarations of divine or near-divine admiration as: You have graciously come on earth, you have graciously approached your water, your high place of Mexico, you have come down to your mat, your throne, which I have briefly kept for you, I who used to keep it for you. As a god of wind, Quetzalcoatl was also an important fertility deity. The temple can be found at Teotihuacan and was erected in the third century. The Teotihuacan iconographical depictions are often interpreted as a version where Quetzalcoatl played the role of a fertility-related serpent deity. Quetzalcoatl was not only one of the most important deities in pre-Columbian Mexico, he was also one of the oldest. Incest is nothing new in mythology, but seducing a celibate priestess might be. 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? With her arms bent and pulled up against her sides as if to strike, she is . The relation of Quetzalcoatl with just the latest sun is a result of the mingling of his earliest myths and some new perceptions. Tlaloc we already know. Most probably, this would represent another serpent deity by the name of Huitzilopochtli. He is further related to the gods of wind, with human sacrifice and to the morning star in the Aztec mythology. Mictlantecuhtli was the Aztec god of death and the principle god of the underworld. Well, not all of them, but some do. 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. Minster, Christopher. Quetzalcoatl is the most recognizable name among the Aztec gods. In fact, he flew straight into it, leading to a total eclipse. 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. Mason-Dixon Line For example, the Aztecs revered him as the god of the priesthood, knowledge, and trade. Quetzalcoatl had aspects in which he functioned as other gods. His body is usually black, a color that represents the north in Aztec art. 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. Mesoamerican deities often functioned in duality. Auh yn jquac molhuja eheca, mjtoa: teuhtli quaqualaca, ycoioca, tetecujca, tlatlaiooa, tlatlapitza, tlatlatzinj, motlatlaueltia. Historians debate to what degree, or whether at all, these narratives about this legendary Toltec ruler describe historical events. The meaning of his name is "Winged Serpent" or "Feathered Serpent". Later Spanish sources of history claimed that Moctezuma II thought Cortes to be a manifestation of Quetzalcoatl. Cholula had been captured by pro-Aztec forces. Quetzalcoatl is the creator of all people and the giver of wisdom, corn, and the calendar. 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). [24] In another story, the virgin Chimalman conceived Quetzalcoatl by swallowing an emerald. 9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl. [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). This didnt help a lot to overcome their cruel intentions, however. 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. In one version of this story, he and his brother Tezcatlipota warred over the earth, destroying it four times before ending their feud. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. [23], The exact significance and attributes of Quetzalcoatl varied somewhat between civilizations and through history. Hernan Cortes, who led the Spaniards, was first invited into the city by Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II. So it should be clear that Quetzalcoatl was, indeed, a great mythical figure. This is what you have to look forward to- Initially, you will notice that you can find pleasure in new and sometimes bizarre places. [30], He is also attributed with having brought the cacao plant from a sacred mountain to the Toltec people, teaching the women how to make traditional drinking chocolate.[31]. Don't fly too close to the sun or sit under her rays unprotected for too long. His emotional bond with the shy snake grew during this period, so he decided to help him realize his dreams. What a conundrum. After the eclipse of the fourth sun, Quetzalcoatl would go on a trip to the underworld. 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. He is usually interpreted as the same god with a different regional name, and is therefore often referred to as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl. [18][need quotation to verify]. The two priests came to their position after living an exemplary life, with pure and compassionate hearts. Followers of the war god rebelled, however, forcing Topiltzin and his fol-lowers into exile on the Yucatn peninsula. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Because, if they did include human sacrifice, basically a part of Quetzalcoatl himself would be killed in order to honor him. According to another mythological account, he was conceived by the virgin Chimalman after she swallowed an emerald. 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. Over time, Quetzalcoatl's appearance, clothing, malevolent nature, and status among the gods were reshaped to fit a more Christian framework. In Xochicalco, depictions of the feathered serpent accompany the image of a seated, armed ruler and the hieroglyph for the day sign 9 Wind. 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. Often he is also represented as spider monkeys, ducks, and other animals or beings of nature. 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. "[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. Over more than a thousand years, a similar god was worshipped by virtually every one of Mesoamericas related cultures. Quetzalcoatl was the Aztec version of this plumed snake archetype. [5] It was one of several important gods in the Aztec pantheon, along with the gods Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli. https://www.thoughtco.com/facts-about-quetzalcoatl-2136322 (accessed March 2, 2023). Other than Teotihuacn, large worship places can be found in Xochicalco and Cacaxtla. 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? However, as opposed to earlier depictions of Quetzalcoatl, the Mayan version of the deity had more elaborate features. Quetzalcoatl occupied a unique position in the Aztec pantheon and was considered one of the most important gods. Whether Quetzalcoatl would return was out of the question. 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. Each represented a color and a cardinal direction, with Quetzalcoatl being the only god that wasnt related to war or human sacrifice. 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. It was not just a populist idea that gained interest in Aztec society. While at first a fully zoomorphic feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl would later be represented in his human form. Quetzalcoatl (/ktslkotl/[3]) [pron 1] is a deity in Aztec culture and literature. Quetzalcoatlhe was the wind, the guide and road sweeper of the rain gods, of the masters of the water, of those who brought rain. In the modern world, Aztec religion is often associated with dramatic and bloody human sacrifices. 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 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! Often our current time was considered the fifth sun,[29] the previous four having been destroyed by flood, fire and the like. Quetzalcoatl wasnt all that happy with it, however. 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. Quetzalcoatl's opposite was Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile. Some said that before this he had helped to create the world itself. However, each and every god had failed terribly in doing so. That is, according to the Aztecs. In some versions of the ancient Mesoamerican histories, Quetzalcoatl was reborn as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli after being burned on a funeral pyre. Tlaloc blew the snake into the air, to a point where he was higher than the birds. The floods, too, caused great disaster to the earth in general. He wore a red mask, however, with an elongated, duck-like mouth and long canine teeth. Of course, the odd one out sparked the interest of Tlaloc. Duck-Like mouth and long canine teeth Moctezuma II thought Cortes to be a unique identifier stored in cookie. The sacrifice & # x27 ; s opposite was Tezcatlipoca, who led the Spaniards, was first into! Killed a great mythical figure was one of the deity had more elaborate features indeed, Aztecs... 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