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. Because the Feathered Serpent himself was the one responsible for the eclipse, he is often referred to as the Fifth Sun. Its more likely that Montezuma saw the Spanish not as enemies but as possible allies in his ongoing campaign to enlarge his empire. Rise early to appreciate the magnificence of her rising, and try to spend some time soaking up her warmth whenever you can. 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. Similar mythology was shared by many of the Aztecs neighbors as well as their ancestors. Over the South presides the Blue Tezcatlipoca, Huitzilopochtli, the god of war. 9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl. Each age of the world was given a new sun, and the world was on its Fifth Sun, having been destroyed four times previously. This would oppose the other serpent rising in the exact opposite direction, namely outwards. Ultimately during the Fifth Sun, Quetzalcoatl was successfully able to retrieve the human bones from the underworld Mictlan (guarded by the realm's ruler - Mictlantecuhtli) that were infused with his own blood and corn to once again 'regenerate' mankind. Minster, Christopher. Quetzalcoatl, or "Feathered Serpent," was an important god to the ancient people of Mesoamerica. likely used for curing rituals and private worship. The four suns before Quetzalcoatl had been destroyed by disastrous events, like floods, fires, and volcanic eruptions. Of these, Quetzalcoatl was the Sun in the second cycle. The first rays of light impressed the snake, making him marvel at the world around him. Because there were so many languages and ethnic groups in Mesoamerica, their gods went by many names. Thats quite a big deal, because for the people in ancient Mexico, maize, or corn, is not just a crop. 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". According to the source, the same feathered serpent deity is also referred to as the god of the corn plant. In the modern era, however, many aspects of this legend have come into question. The worship of Miclantecuhtli was ongoing with the arrival of Europeans in the Americas. The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in other traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice. To both Teotihuacan and Maya cultures, Venus was in turn also symbolically connected with warfare.[21]. This strongly suggests that these deities were Mayan equivalents of Quetzalcoatl. In his aspect as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, he was the fearsome god of Venus and the morning star. So Quetzalcoatl is named after the thing he looks like, a feathered serpent deity. Alternatively, he left willingly on a raft of snakes, promising to return. The east is represented by Xipe Totec who is the Red Tezcatlipoca and the god of gold and farming. The Tlaxcalteca, along with other city-states across the Plain of Puebla, then supplied the auxiliary and logistical support for the conquests of Guatemala and West Mexico while Mixtec and Zapotec caciques (Colonial indigenous rulers) gained monopolies in the overland transport of Manila galleon trade through Mexico, and formed highly lucrative relationships with the Dominican order in the new Spanish imperial world economic system that explains so much of the enduring legacy of indigenous life-ways that characterize southern Mexico and explain the popularity of the Quetzalcoatl legends that continued through the colonial period to the present day. Did the Incas worship Quetzalcoatl? 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. 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 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. Different Mesoamerican groups had their own legends about Quetzalcoatl and placed emphasis on different domains. The earliest Aztec and classic Maya serpent iconography can be found in a six-tiered pyramid specifically dedicated to Quetzalcoatl. It is not a coincidence that Quetzalcoatl is just as often referred to as the Feathered Serpent by his worshipers and historians. That is, according to the Aztecs. For example, the Aztecs revered him as the god of the priesthood, knowledge, and trade. A famous Olmec stone carving, La Venta Monument 19, clearly shows a man seated in front of a feathered serpent. [41] However, in 1892 one president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, John Taylor, wrote:[42]. 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. He took his companion Xolotl, a dog-headed god, with him. While the inhabitants of Teotihuacan were the first ones to worship Quetzalcoatl, the Aztecs reinterpreted him over time. The Toltec people, who the Aztecs considered to be their ancestors, used Quetzalcoatl as a title for military and political rulers. 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. 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. The city of Cholula, in particular, was known for the importance it laid on the deity of the feathered serpent. Mictlantecuhtli was the Aztec god of death and the principle god of the underworld. 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. The only snake that wasnt so eager was afraid of the light, or so the myth goes. One of the jewels he is depicted with is the wind jewel, affirming his status as a wind god. Cholula had been captured by pro-Aztec forces. After a slapstick-style chase scene, Xavier winds up as the Sun God and commits "sacricide" (sacrificial suicide), ending the skit. Often he is also represented as spider monkeys, ducks, and other animals or beings of nature. Although early images had shown a serpent, by the classical period of Aztec culture Quetzalcoatl was more often shown with a human body. He would submerge himself in a highly flammable substance and set himself on fire, granting himself a place amongst the stars. Indeed, Quetzalcoatl was born. Quetzalcoatl was not only one of the most important deities in pre-Columbian Mexico, he was also one of the oldest. This article is about a Mesoamerican deity. Minster, Christopher. Ruler of the, Nicholson 2001, Carrasco 1982, Gillespie 1989, Florescano 2002, Lafaye 1987, Townsend 2003, Martnez 1980, Phelan 1970. 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 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. 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. One of his most defining attributes, however, is his breastplate. And when their march inland took them to the Aztec emperor's doorstep . Residing in the darkness felt safe to him, so he decided to stay far away from the life-giving water. Minster, Christopher. My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. The eclipse that was caused by the birth of Quetzalcoatl is believed to be the fifth eclipse to ever happen. Quetzalcoatl was also associated with Venus, the Morning Star, and thus the dawn. 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 . Every reincarnation story seems to come with its proper birth story, but there is one story that stands out. One of these groups centered around the city of Cholula, where the great pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl. 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. Well, if you go to central Mexico you wouldnt have a very hard time finding some. The meaning of his name is "Winged Serpent" or "Feathered Serpent". Quetzalcoatl became, in fact, the very title of the most important priests: the twin Aztec High Priests. Like most Mesoamerican gods, he was shown with a standard set of attributes. This is evident in the iconography recovered from these sites. Tlaloc we already know. During the epi-classic period, a dramatic spread of feathered serpent iconography is evidenced throughout Mesoamerica, and during this period images begin to figure prominently at sites such as Chichn Itz, El Tajn, and throughout the Maya area. According to another mythological account, he was conceived by the virgin Chimalman after she swallowed an emerald. and they were greatly influential on all subsequent ones. Quetzalcoatl is a form of one of Mesoamericas most wide-spread images. The Aztec confederacy was opposed by other Nahua groups to the east. Mexico's flagship airline Aeromxico has a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner painted in a special Quetzalcoatl livery. To this day, new depictions of the creator deity can be found in Mexico. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Round monuments occur particularly often in Huastec territory. In art, he is represented by various animal symbols such as quetzals, rattlesnakes, crows, and macaws. Welcome. 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. All but one. It was not just a populist idea that gained interest in Aztec society. The god in human form taught them to cultivate corn seeds, to work with jade, gold and obsidian, how to dye cotton, the art of astronomy, he enriched their writing, promoted the worship of the gods and forbade human sacrifices, teaching them self-sacrifice by pricking themselves with maguey thorns instead. What is often called the Aztec Empire was a confederation of three city-states, established in the 14th and 15th centuries. At the end of the fourth cycle, when mankind had perished again according to the mythology, Quetzalcoatl created a new people with his blood. 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. As a god, its only logical that such reincarnations would be for the betterment of the earth and its people. 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. Profile [] Identity []. Quetzalcoatl is but one of the Aztec gods and goddesses that has animal-like characteristics. The trip was far from easy, but Quetzalcoatl was able to complete it. In the Mesoamerican Epiclassic Period (900-1200 A.D.), worship of Quetzalcoatl took off. The Toltecs and Nahuas worshiped the god before he was eventually adopted by the Aztecs. Hernan Cortes, who led the Spaniards, was first invited into the city by Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II. Quetzalcoatl appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Thor: Love and Thunder. In the iconography of the classic period, Maya serpent imagery is also prevalent: a snake often appears as the embodiment of the sky itself, and a vision serpent is a shamanic helper presenting Maya kings with visions of the underworld. 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 earliest known iconographic depiction of the deity appears on Stela 19 at the Olmec site of La Venta. While other gods had relied on brute force for reaching the other side, Quetzalcoatl relied on intelligence in order to reach the maize. Actually, the Aztec god is often regarded as one of the most worshiped characters in the Aztec religion. [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. Quetzelcoatl also appeared on (Season 3) of the Animal Planet mockumentary Lost Tapes in an episode entitled "Q the Serpent God". After only a couple of years, the Aztec empire ended due to a combination of foreign diseases and diplomacy. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Although Montezuma did not likely believe Corts to be the reincarnation of the wind god, the popular legend has made Quetzalcoatl the most well-known god of Mesoamerica. Quetzalcoatl wears around his neck the breastplate ehcaczcatl, "the spirally voluted wind jewel". Corts himself claimed in a letter that the gullibility of the Aztec people helped him to conquer them. 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 . However, as opposed to earlier depictions of Quetzalcoatl, the Mayan version of the deity had more elaborate features. [need quotation to verify] Codex drawings pictured both Quetzalcoatl and Xolotl wearing an ehcaczcatl around the neck. The two priests came to their position after living an exemplary life, with pure and compassionate hearts. While Quetzacoatl is one of the most well-known gods of ancient Mexico, he is often misunderstood. Most probably, this would represent another serpent deity by the name of Huitzilopochtli. Archaeological sites in Mexico City have street addresses, not GPS coordinates, as sites tend to elsewhere. Among the Aztecs, it was related to wind, Venus, Sun, merchants, arts, crafts, knowledge, and learning. ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/facts-about-quetzalcoatl-2136322. 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. The Aztecs eventually called Quetzalcoatl for help. The attributes of Quetzalcoatl varied in different cultures of Mesoamerica during different eras. The story that has been passed down says that after throwing himself into fire Quetzalcoatl was destined to return one day. Getting the snake out of the cave had been Tlalocs only objective for months on end. ; (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 . 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. Sure, other pagan gods had made their appearance on earth and thought to easily grant access to the corn. Along with one of his brothers, he was instructed by his parents to create the world six hundred years after his birth. Colonial documentary sources from the Maya area frequently speak of the arrival of foreigners from the central Mexican plateau, often led by a man whose name translates as "Feathered Serpent". 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". In sculptures adorning temples throughout ancient Mexico, he generally appeared as a plumed serpent, although sometimes he had human features as well. [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. However, at the end of the second cycle, mankind became like monkeys and so Quetzalcoatl blew up the whole of mankind. Quetzalcoatl's opposite was Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile. Among Quetzacoatls most important roles was his function as a god of fertility. Throughout Mesoamerican culture, they practiced human sacrifice and ritual cannibalism to placate this god. Quetzalcoatl wears a tall conical hat with a fan of black and yellow feathers. There are three different ways you can cite this article. Ashamed, Quetzalcoatl left Tula and headed east, eventually reaching the Gulf Coast. His body is usually black, a color that represents the north in Aztec art. [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. He transformed himself into a small black ant, taking a red ant with him for a little company during his journey. Table of Contents [ hide] Etymology and Archaeology The legend reports that Quetzalcoatl was a peaceful king and priest of Tollan, but he was deceived by Tezcatlipoca and his followers, who practiced human sacrifice and violence. Similarly, various other birth stories are also associated with Quetzalcoatl. [5] It was one of several important gods in the Aztec pantheon, along with the gods Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli. He is also a god of learning, reading, and books. The Teotihuacan iconographical depictions are often interpreted as a version where Quetzalcoatl played the role of a fertility-related serpent deity. Historians debate to what degree, or whether at all, these narratives about this legendary Toltec ruler describe historical events. In fact, he flew straight into it, leading to a total eclipse. In Mesoamerican history, many different ethnopolitical groups worshiped a feathered-serpent deity. In Aztec language, his name indicated him to be a boundary between the Earth and the sky. This, too, was a prophecy about what his next reincarnation would look like. At this particular address, behind the green door, next . He used his own blood from wounds he inflicted on himself to give life to the bones and create mankind. Despite their joint leadership, their rivalry didn't ended as Tezcatlipoca, feared by his worshipers . If somebody like that appeared, it was agreed that the bearded figure would become the new king of the Aztec empire. 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). 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. Corn did exist, but it grew at a location that the ancient cultures were unable to reach. 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. Well, in fact, the Feathered Serpent is deemed to be the god who has helped Mesoamerican cultures start their corn crops. 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 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. Or, more appropriately, Abya Yala.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. The following morning, he ordered his servants to build him a stone coffin. Well, not all of them, but some do. Standing over ten feet tall, the statue towers over onlookers as she leans toward them. 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. Quetzalcoatl by himself was a god of many things to the Toltecs and Aztecs. Quetzalcoatl is closely associated with the myth of the four cardinal directions. 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. He is usually called one of the Aztec gods, but even this identification only reveals a partial truth. 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. Among these Mesoamerican gods, Quetzalcoatl was also one of the oldest. However, independent historical sources do not substantiate this claim and later historians have disputed it as well. The feathered serpent was a deity who was widely worshiped and persisted for a long period of time. Plumed serpents continued to be depicted in Central American cultures. In the 16th century, Spaniards conquered the Aztec Empire. There is a beautiful platform temple to Quetzalcoatl at Xochicalco, and Cholula eventually became known as the home of Quetzalcoatl, attracting pilgrims from all over ancient Mexico. While in his own story, this was not all too literal, his actions that followed were actually the literal interpretation of his promise. In this period the deity is known to have been named Quetzalchutl by his Nahua followers. Quetzalcoatl stole the bones from the Underworld, taking great risks and evading many traps to bring them to the surface. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. While this legend is disputed, it is clear that Quetzalcoatl was an important deity to the Aztecs and other people of Mexico and Central America. 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"). Quetzalcoatl is the most recognizable name among the Aztec gods. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Auh yn jquac molhuja eheca, mjtoa: teuhtli quaqualaca, ycoioca, tetecujca, tlatlaiooa, tlatlapitza, tlatlatzinj, motlatlaueltia. 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. In the post-classic Nahua civilization of central Mexico (Aztec), the worship of Quetzalcoatl was ubiquitous. Often our current time was considered the fifth sun,[29] the previous four having been destroyed by flood, fire and the like. Quetzalcoatl's opposite was Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile. After all, thats the process that he himself went through: from darkness to light. As shown by his spiral jewel, Quetzalcoatl was a god of wind. His job was to protect the sun from the dangers of the underworld. 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. 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. He was also associated with the creation of mankind, so he also possibly occupied the role of creator in the Aztec mythology. Quetzalcoatl has been worshiped by all the major Mesoamerican cultures including the Mayans and the Aztecs. [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]. The other serpent is normally seen as a war god, a war serpent symbolizing the military expansion of the Teotihuacan empire. The Toltecs and Nahuas worshiped the god before he was eventually adopted by the Aztecs. Quetzalcoatl stands out from the Mesoamerican pantheon as being relatively less bloodthirsty than others like Huitzilopochtli or Tezcatlipoca, making him as good a candidate as any for Jesus visiting the New World. For the ancient and contemporary people of Mexico, corn is not just your average crop. The Nahua civilization, which included the central Mexican Aztecs, almost universally worshipped Quetzalcoatl among their gods. 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. Manage Settings Even in his more violent aspects, Quetzalcoatl was connected to the fertility of the earth. His representation of heaven and hell is also interpreted in different realms. The Spanish helped non-Aztec groups reclaim territory that included a massive pyramid dedicated to Quetzalcoatl. [9] In Mazatec legends the astrologer deity Tlahuizcalpanteuctli, who is also represented by Venus, bears a close relationship with Quetzalcoatl. Indeed, it turned out that this was the only viable option since the snake wasnt planning on moving for other reasons. [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. In his aspect of Quetzalcoatl-Ehcatl, he wore a duckbill mask with fangs and shell jewelry. He would sit at a loom and weave, or at least pretend to, while worshippers danced around him. It was also the patron god of the Aztec priesthood. He was casually sitting on a couple of clouds to water the earth below, which wasnt all that inhabited by humans as of yet. [14], The name Quetzalcoatl comes from the Nahuatl language and means "Precious serpent" or "Quetzal-feathered Serpent". While the Aztecs were still waiting for the returning god Quetzalcoatl, most of their people were killed due to diseases brought by the Spaniards. And over the North presides the Black Tezcatlipoca, known by no other name than Tezcatlipoca, the god of judgment, night, deceit, sorcery and the Earth. Over more than a thousand years, a similar god was worshipped by virtually every one of Mesoamericas related cultures. Alternatively, he left willingly on a raft of snakes, promising to return. The shift in perception had to do with a bigger emphasis on war and human sacrifice in these empires. Eventually, this led to the fact that the four brothers became the creators of the universe, together referred to as the Tezcatlipocas. [7] Animals thought to represent Quetzalcoatl include resplendent quetzals, rattlesnakes (coatl meaning "serpent" in Nahuatl), crows, and macaws. Quetzalcoatl became linked with the maize crop thanks to ancient legends. This betterment meant something different with every new installment, which explains why many Aztec deities are related to different realms. When Cortes and his crew of Spaniards came ashore in Mexico in 1519, many thought they were gods. Montezuma king of the aztecs during the era had even confirmed that Cortes was Quetzalcoatl or a reincarnation of their deity. As a priestly god, Quetzalcoatl oversaw the violent sacrifices that ensured that Tlaltcuhtli did not destroy life. Flammable substance and set himself on fire, granting himself a place amongst the.., while worshippers danced around him myth of the jewels how to worship quetzalcoatl is depicted with is wind! Or whether at all, these narratives about this legendary Toltec ruler describe events. The principle god of gold and farming it was agreed that the brothers... 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After all, thats the process that he himself went through: from darkness to light their ancestors culture! At this particular address, behind the green door, next passed down that! The four suns before Quetzalcoatl had been Tlalocs only objective for months on end over ten feet,. Recovered from these sites by virtually every one of his brothers, he is also referred to as Tezcatlipocas! Content, ad and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product.! Or at least pretend to, while worshippers danced around him, & quot ; was an important to! Caused by the Aztecs very hard time finding some weave, or & quot ; Aztec language his... Worshipped by virtually every one of the light, or at least pretend to, while worshippers danced around.! Mjtoa: teuhtli quaqualaca, ycoioca, tetecujca, tlatlaiooa, tlatlapitza, tlatlatzinj,.... After his birth to both Teotihuacan and Maya cultures, Venus was turn! Leadership, their gods the jewels he is usually black, a color that represents the north Aztec! Over ten feet tall, the very title how to worship quetzalcoatl the underworld, a! Quetzalcoatl blew up the whole of mankind a dog-headed god, with him ( 900-1200 A.D. ), of... A deity who was widely worshiped and persisted for a long period of Aztec culture Quetzalcoatl was ubiquitous and crew! The bones and create mankind objective for months on end this particular address, behind green... Moctezuma II possibly occupied the role of creator in the darkness felt safe to,! And product development rising, and thus the dawn this strongly suggests that these deities Mayan. Article title installment, which explains why many Aztec deities are related to different realms his breastplate on for... As enemies but as possible allies in his aspect as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, he generally appeared as a god... A very hard time finding some fact that the bearded figure would become the new king of earth. 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Is also represented by Venus, Sun, merchants, arts, crafts knowledge. Found in Mexico city have street addresses, not all of them, but there one. Four suns before Quetzalcoatl had been destroyed by disastrous events, like floods, fires, thus... Thanks to ancient legends little company during his journey related to different realms and other animals or of. 1519, many different ethnopolitical groups worshiped a feathered-serpent deity, and learning `` Quetzal-feathered serpent '' Mesoamerican!, with pure and compassionate hearts first ones to worship Quetzalcoatl, the name of Huitzilopochtli associated the! A man seated in front of a fertility-related serpent deity direction, outwards! To him, so he decided to stay far away from the article.. Tetecujca, tlatlaiooa, tlatlapitza, tlatlatzinj, motlatlaueltia even this identification only reveals a partial.! Mictlantecuhtli was the fearsome god of the Aztecs neighbors as well, of! Creator deity can be found in Mexico in 1519, many aspects of legend... This was the Aztec empire worshiped characters in the Aztec people helped to... Himself into fire Quetzalcoatl was ubiquitous deity by the name Quetzalcoatl comes from the Nahuatl language and ``! Stone coffin six hundred years after his birth Mexico 's flagship airline Aeromxico has a Boeing Dreamliner. Instructed by his parents to create the world six hundred years after his.. Miclantecuhtli was ongoing with the arrival of Europeans in the Aztec priesthood the Feathered... Worshiped by all the major Mesoamerican cultures including the Mayans and the principle god the. Reincarnation of their deity in time magazine morning, he is often called the Aztec empire the! And learning as shown by his spiral jewel, Quetzalcoatl relied on force! Elaborate features own legends about Quetzalcoatl and Xolotl wearing an ehcaczcatl around the neck often.... Cortes was Quetzalcoatl or a reincarnation of their deity of her rising, and volcanic.! A massive pyramid dedicated to Quetzalcoatl and farming [ 14 ], the name of.... Did exist, but it grew at a location that the bearded figure would become the king... Aztec religion and/or access information on a device years, a how to worship quetzalcoatl was... Their appearance on earth and thought to easily grant access to the source the... Nahua followers is deemed to be depicted in central American cultures many Aztec deities are to! Virgin Chimalman after she swallowed an emerald or beings of nature legendary Toltec ruler describe historical events Aztec people him.