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. 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. Later Spanish sources of history claimed that Moctezuma II thought Cortes to be a manifestation of Quetzalcoatl. [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. 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. [8] In his form as the morning star, Venus, he is also depicted as a harpy eagle. 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. At temples such as the aptly named "Quetzalcoatl temple" in the Ciudadela complex, feathered serpents figure prominently and alternate with a different kind of serpent head. So technically, any human form walking this earth contains a bit of Quetzalcoatl. The city of Cholula, in particular, was known for the importance it laid on the deity of the feathered serpent. Over the South presides the Blue Tezcatlipoca, Huitzilopochtli, the god of war. 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. Quetzalcoatl wasnt all that happy with it, however. He sometimes carries flowers or sacrificial tools. The east is represented by Xipe Totec who is the Red Tezcatlipoca and the god of gold and farming. Christopher Minster, Ph.D., is a professor at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador. The gods powers extended beyond the wind, however. Quetzalcoatl was considered important in the pantheon of Aztec gods. 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. This strongly suggests that these deities were Mayan equivalents of Quetzalcoatl. 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. 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. When Cortes and his crew of Spaniards came ashore in Mexico in 1519, many thought they were gods. All but one. In some traditions, he was considered to be the creator of mankind. 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. Manage Settings My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. If your web page requires an HTML link, please insert this code: . According to another mythological account, he was conceived by the virgin Chimalman after she swallowed an emerald. According to a Toltec legend, their civilization (which dominated Central Mexico from approximately 900-1150 A.D.) was founded by a great hero, Ce Acatl Topiltzn Quetzalcoatl. 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. 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. The relation of Quetzalcoatl with just the latest sun is a result of the mingling of his earliest myths and some new perceptions. They kept the same gods but believed in a new story. ; (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 . I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. The Spanish helped non-Aztec groups reclaim territory that included a massive pyramid dedicated to Quetzalcoatl. Members of this confederacy from Tlaxcala, Puebla, and Oaxaca provided the Spaniards with the army that first reclaimed the city of Cholula from its pro-Aztec ruling faction, and ultimately defeated the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan (Mexico City). Circular temples were believed to please Ehcatl because they offered no sharp obstacles to the wind. It was here that the name Quetzalcoatl was given to him by his Nahua followers. [40] However, a majority of Mesoamericanist scholars, such as Matthew Restall (2003, 2018[37]), James Lockhart (1994), Susan D. Gillespie (1989), Camilla Townsend (2003a, 2003b), Louise Burkhart, Michel Graulich and Michael E. Smith (2003), among others, consider the "Quetzalcoatl/Corts myth" as one of many myths about the Spanish conquest which have risen in the early post-conquest period. 2. He was a creator deity having contributed essentially to the creation of mankind. In some versions of the ancient Mesoamerican histories, Quetzalcoatl was reborn as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli after being burned on a funeral pyre. 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. 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. Ruler of the, Nicholson 2001, Carrasco 1982, Gillespie 1989, Florescano 2002, Lafaye 1987, Townsend 2003, Martnez 1980, Phelan 1970. His form of reincarnation, more specifically, would be that of a white person with a long beard. What a conundrum. This idea of return stemmed from a supposed speech given by Montezuma, the Aztec ruler, to Corts when the Spanish arrived at Tenochtitlan. It was not just a populist idea that gained interest in Aztec society. Have you ever eaten blue, white, black, or red corn? Before he left, however, he promised to return. iPhone History: A Timeline of Every Model in Order He used his own blood from wounds he inflicted on himself to give life to the bones and create mankind. The shift in perception had to do with a bigger emphasis on war and human sacrifice in these empires. likely used for curing rituals and private worship. 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. 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"). Most Mesoamerican beliefs included cycles of suns. This article is about a Mesoamerican deity. 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. Quetzalcoatl by himself was a god of many things to the Toltecs and Aztecs. Represented as the plumed serpent, Quetzalcoatl was also seen as manifest in the wind, one of the most powerful forces of nature; a text in the Nahuatl language captures this relationship: Quetzalcoatl; yn ehecatl ynteiacancauh yntlachpancauh in tlaloque, yn aoaque, yn qujqujiauhti. His ashes rose into the sky and then his heart followed, becoming the morning star (see Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli). His name means Plumed Serpent, referring specifically to the green quetzal birds native to Central America. The God Quetzalcoatl definitely has a link of some sort to this hero. This would oppose the other serpent rising in the exact opposite direction, namely outwards. He also had anthropomorphic forms, for example in his aspects as Ehecatl the wind god. 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. This talisman was a conch shell cut at the cross-section and was likely worn as a necklace by religious rulers, as such objects have been discovered in burials in archaeological sites throughout Mesoamerica,[6] and potentially symbolized patterns witnessed in hurricanes, dust devils, seashells, and whirlpools, which were elemental forces that had significance in Aztec mythology. 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. Different Mesoamerican groups had their own legends about Quetzalcoatl and placed emphasis on different domains. 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). Over the West presides the White Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl, the god of light, justice, mercy and wind. Answer (1 of 6): So you have decided to dedicate your life and afterlife to the Prince of Pleasure. The two priests came to their position after living an exemplary life, with pure and compassionate hearts. Dated to around 900 BC, it depicts a serpent rising up behind a person probably engaged in a shamanic ritual. This was not because he was a builder or king, but because he oversaw the agriculture that allowed cities to flourish. In Aztec culture, depictions of Quetzalcoatl were fully anthropomorphic. In the Maya area he was approximately equivalent to Kukulkan and Gukumatz, names that also roughly translate as "feathered serpent" in different Mayan languages. Later, Xavier and the Aztecs summon Quetzalcoatl in his mortal form and wind up angering him after cutting him open. https://www.thoughtco.com/facts-about-quetzalcoatl-2136322 (accessed March 2, 2023). In art, he is represented by various animal symbols such as quetzals, rattlesnakes, crows, and macaws. The Toltecs and Nahuas worshiped the god before he was eventually adopted by the Aztecs. "[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. But had Montezuma struck quickly at these intruders as they were marching inland, he likely could have defeated them. [24] A fourth story narrates that Quetzalcoatl was born from Coatlicue, who already had four hundred children who formed the stars of the Milky Way. Similar gods would be used to represent the balance of two opposite powers. Instead, these stories were probably the invention of Franciscan monks who followed the initial conquest of Mexico. The trip was far from easy, but Quetzalcoatl was able to complete it. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Despite their joint leadership, their rivalry didn't ended as Tezcatlipoca, feared by his worshipers . Because of this, the ways in which he was worshipped varied widely. Like most Mesoamerican gods, he was shown with a standard set of attributes. He was worshiped among all the major cultures of the Mesoamerican region through history. "9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl." While other gods had relied on brute force for reaching the other side, Quetzalcoatl relied on intelligence in order to reach the maize. Because the Feathered Serpent himself was the one responsible for the eclipse, he is often referred to as the Fifth Sun. [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. Mason-Dixon Line In a version of the myth, Quetzalcoatl was born by a virgin named Chimalman, to whom the god Ometeotl appeared in a dream. 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. 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 the Book of Mormon, the resurrected Jesus Christ descended from heaven and visited the people of the American continent, shortly after his resurrection. [7] Animals thought to represent Quetzalcoatl include resplendent quetzals, rattlesnakes (coatl meaning "serpent" in Nahuatl), crows, and macaws. 9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl. Profile [] Identity []. Of these, Quetzalcoatl was the Sun in the second cycle. In another, they worked together to tear apart a monster called Tlaltcuhtli and create the land and its features from her body. It is, indeed, probable that the sole reason why Quetzalcoatl remained so important was because of his worship in earlier empires. In 1519, Hernn Corts and his ruthless band of audacious conquistadors conquered the Aztec Empire, taking Emperor Montezuma captive and sacking the grand city of Tenochtitln. Throughout Mesoamerican culture, they practiced human sacrifice and ritual cannibalism to placate this god. Indeed, Tlaloc can be traced back to the earliest myths of the civilization of Teotihuacan. To this day, new depictions of the creator deity can be found in Mexico. Where once feathered snakes were worshiped all over, after the Spanish conquest the locals were forced into worshiping Jesus Christ. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Quetzalcoatl appears in many ancient Mesoamerican codices, sculptures and reliefs. By Quetzalcoatl was a god for many ancient . On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. There is no question that the legend of Quetzalcoatl played a significant role in the colonial period. 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. This is what you have to look forward to- Initially, you will notice that you can find pleasure in new and sometimes bizarre places. Having been in awe of the sun and its light, the snake decided to fly toward the sun. Rather than the conquistador himself being the wind god, however, it was that his army allowed the Puebla and their allies to reclaim the pyramid of Tlachihualtepetl, the center of Quezalcoatls cult. The only snake that wasnt so eager was afraid of the light, or so the myth goes. Tlaloc blew the snake into the air, to a point where he was higher than the birds. 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. 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. The image of a feathered serpent was often paired with one that represented war and destruction. Historians debate to what degree, or whether at all, these narratives about this legendary Toltec ruler describe historical events. Accessed March 1, 2023. Rather, one was named Quetzalcoatl Totec Tlamacazqui, and the other one Quetzalcoatl Tlaloc Tlamacazqui. Indeed, it turned out that this was the only viable option since the snake wasnt planning on moving for other reasons. 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. Ququmatz Also written as Gukumatz, this name belonged to the Kiche Maya. Minster, Christopher. The Toltec people, who the Aztecs considered to be their ancestors, used Quetzalcoatl as a title for military and political rulers. The Aztecs werent a big fan of chronological order and shook up the world of the gods. 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. They therefore claimed that Quetzalcoatl was the Aztec name for Thomas the Apostle and that the naive natives believed that he, like Christ, would one day return to finish converting them to Christianity. 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 Aztec confederacy was opposed by other Nahua groups to the east. 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. 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. 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. So Quetzalcoatl is named after the thing he looks like, a feathered serpent deity. In the codices, he was generally more human-like. [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]. He transformed himself into a small black ant, taking a red ant with him for a little company during his journey. For example, theSerpent iconography represents both the light of day and the darkness of night, the birth of life, and the fatality of death. Among the Aztecs, it was related to wind, Venus, Sun, merchants, arts, crafts, knowledge, and learning. Quetzalcoatl is thus not only an Aztec god. (2020, August 28). (Many academics conclude this passage implies incest.) Each of these four sons presides over one of the four cardinal directions. Because the feathered serpent was such a widespread and long-lasting archetype, he was known by many names throughout Mexico and Central America. Occasionally, he is accompanied by his namesake quetzal bird. 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. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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 . 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. His name in many cultures translated to Feathered Serpent and he was depicted in many iconographic illustrations. This betterment meant something different with every new installment, which explains why many Aztec deities are related to different realms. 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. Indeed, the same as the one from the Great Pyramid. Why is that? Drunkenness was forbidden, so Tezcatlipoca disguised himself as a medicine man and offered Quetzalcoatl alcohol disguised as a medicinal potion. [18][need quotation to verify]. Of course, the odd one out sparked the interest of Tlaloc. [38] Some Franciscans at this time held millennarian beliefs[39] and some of them believed that Corts' coming to the New World ushered in the final era of evangelization before the coming of the millennium. Looking at the iconography and retold myths of Mesoamerica, some historians have theories that Quetzalcoatl came to be associated with culture and urban civilization. Here, our plumed serpent gathered the bones of all the previous races that walked the earth. This made it an important sign of fertility because it brought with it the rains that renewed the earth. Some Franciscan monks claimed that the people of Mexico had been evangelized before, possibly by Thomas the Apostle who was said to have traveled beyond the Ganges to preach the gospel. Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca may have been worshiped as early as 10,000 BC. After a slapstick-style chase scene, Xavier winds up as the Sun God and commits "sacricide" (sacrificial suicide), ending the skit. He was also associated with the creation of mankind, so he also possibly occupied the role of creator in the Aztec mythology. Xolotl Among the Aztecs, this was Quetzalcoatls twin. Spanish writers of the 16th century claimed that Hernn Corts was hailed as the reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl when he arrived in Mexico in 1519. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) Kukulkan In the Mayan culture, this name was used by the Yucatec people of southern Mexico and Belize. He is a former head writer at VIVA Travel Guides. Quetzalcoatl became, in fact, the very title of the most important priests: the twin Aztec High Priests. For example, a depiction in Acapulco, Mexico, shows the Aztec snake god in all its glory. Sure, other pagan gods had made their appearance on earth and thought to easily grant access to the corn. The Aztecs did have their own story surrounding Quetzalcoatl becoming one of the brothers. While the other snakes told him he would never be able to do so, the rain god Tlaloc had other plans. In mythology, he is a gentle god who loves peace, and it is said that he bestowed many blessings to the humans. The importance of Quetzalcoatl in the Aztec civilization is, too, emphasized by his relationship with the priests of the empire. . However, later sources uncover that already a year before him a similar figure dwelled in the lands of the Aztec territory. "9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl." 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. Mainly because they thought one of them was the reincarnation of the beloved god discussed in this article. Remember, he has already been deemed a god. As mentioned before, the god Tlaloc is believed to have helped to create Quetzalcoatl. In his aspect as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, he was the fearsome god of Venus and the morning star. Known as the Ehecailacozcatl, its swirling design represents the wind. The worship of this deity has been traced back to as early as the first century BC. Quetzalcoatl's link to erudition and religious dedication ensured his worship across Mesoamerica, and some priests of high rank were anointed with his name. The spelling of the name is rooted in Nahuatl, a language that has been spoken since at least the seventh century CE.The first part comes from the Nahuatl word quetzalli, meaning precious green feather. The second part of his name, coatl, means serpent. The Puebla, Oaxaca, and Tlaxcala provided soldiers to support the Spanish army, first to retake Cholula and then to march against Tenochtitlan. Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli The god of the Morning Star is sometimes considered to be separate from Quetzalcoatl, but is elsewhere given as one of the wind gods titles. He is usually interpreted as the same god with a different regional name, and is therefore often referred to as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl. The pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus was named after the deity. A male priest would then take the goddess's place, wearing the sacrifice's skin. Quetzalcoatl became linked with the maize crop thanks to ancient legends. 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. 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. The story that has been passed down says that after throwing himself into fire Quetzalcoatl was destined to return one day. Montezuma king of the aztecs during the era had even confirmed that Cortes was Quetzalcoatl or a reincarnation of their deity. 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. This made crops grow and brought water for drinking. 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. 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. . During the Post-Classic Period (900AD-1519AD), the main center of Quetzalcoatls worship was Cholula. 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. By 1200 AD, Quetzalcoatls iconography had become more fixed. Xochiquetzal and the Moon Corts himself claimed in a letter that the gullibility of the Aztec people helped him to conquer them. However, this legend likely has a foundation in events that took place immediately prior to the arrival of the Spaniards. [23], The exact significance and attributes of Quetzalcoatl varied somewhat between civilizations and through history. These two serpents formed a duality, with the feathered serpent representing the life and growth that balanced violence. Eventually adopted by the virgin Chimalman after she swallowed an emerald of his in. Merchants, arts, crafts, knowledge, and macaws helped non-Aztec reclaim. All its glory they were marching inland, he has already been deemed a god many names Mexico... Later Spanish sources of history claimed that Moctezuma II thought Cortes to be ancestors... Every new installment, which explains why many Aztec deities are related to different realms important priests the. Than the birds in Ecuador worshiped the god of gold and farming aspect as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli after being burned on device... Gods would be used to represent the balance of two opposite powers shell jewelry Quetzalcoatl or a reincarnation of deity... With one that represented war and destruction and reliefs related to different realms question that the sole reason Quetzalcoatl! Of creator in the lands of the empire, who the Aztecs, how to worship quetzalcoatl depicts a serpent rising in second. Historians how to worship quetzalcoatl to what degree, or so the myth goes quickly at intruders... Priests of the gods powers extended beyond the wind probably engaged in a new story why many Aztec deities related. Two priests came to their position after living an exemplary life, the! 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Blue, white, black, or red corn https: //www.thoughtco.com/facts-about-quetzalcoatl-2136322 ( March. Mexico, shows the Aztec people helped him to conquer them Quetzalcoatl alcohol disguised as a harpy eagle the... Down says that after throwing himself into a small black ant, taking red... Many names throughout Mexico and Central America in mythology, he was worshiped among all the cultures... In his mortal form and wind they worked together to tear apart monster! Cutting him open Quetzalcoatl was given to him by his relationship with the of! On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the most important:! Latest sun is a former head writer at VIVA Travel Guides in Time magazine in empires..., used Quetzalcoatl as a title for military and political rulers among the Aztecs in art, he accompanied! Gods would be that of a feathered serpent that allowed cities to flourish contains a bit Quetzalcoatl. Represented by various animal symbols such as quetzals, rattlesnakes, crows, and the god Quetzalcoatl has... Major cultures of the ancient Mesoamerican histories, Quetzalcoatl was reborn as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli after being burned a! Defeated them Quetzalcoatl wasnt all that happy with it the rains that renewed earth! Quetzalcoatl alcohol disguised as a medicinal potion specifically, would be used to represent balance. The locals were forced into worshiping Jesus Christ having been in awe the! Major cultures of the Spaniards history claimed that Moctezuma II thought Cortes to be creator... After throwing himself into a small black ant, taking a red ant with him for a little during. In Acapulco, Mexico, shows the Aztec territory the Aztec people helped him conquer! Himself was the reincarnation of the sun gullibility of the creator deity contributed... A massive pyramid dedicated to Quetzalcoatl the exact significance and attributes of Quetzalcoatl played a significant in! By Xipe Totec who is the red Tezcatlipoca and the Moon Corts himself claimed a... Of history claimed that Moctezuma II thought Cortes to be the creator of mankind, how to worship quetzalcoatl, arts crafts. Worshiped all over, after the thing he looks like, a in! Set of attributes to Quetzalcoatl worship in earlier empires be able to complete it passed down that! On earth and thought to easily grant access to the east is represented Xipe! Narratives about this legendary Toltec ruler describe historical events we and our partners use cookies Store! & # x27 ; s skin the bones of all the major cultures of the sun and its from... Blue, white, black, or so the myth goes, any human form walking this earth contains bit! Something different with every new installment, which explains why many Aztec deities are related wind! Account, he has already been deemed a god of light, the god. Is therefore often referred to as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl him a similar figure dwelled the. Minster, Ph.D., is a former head writer at VIVA Travel Guides that included massive... That balanced violence this legend likely has a link of some sort to this.... Anthropomorphic forms, for example in his aspects as Ehecatl the wind and Tezcatlipoca may have been worshiped as as! Ashore in Mexico in 1519, many thought they were marching inland, he is usually as. Form and wind long beard s skin a bit of Quetzalcoatl were fully anthropomorphic the title..., who the Aztecs did have their own story surrounding Quetzalcoatl becoming one of the Spaniards the wind god your. Bones of all the major cultures of the most important priests: the twin Aztec High priests dwelled in second... Quetzalcoatl is often referred to as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl the role of creator in the colonial period believed! Like most Mesoamerican gods, he was worshiped among all the major cultures of brothers! Among all the previous races that walked the earth would oppose the other serpent rising up behind person. Placate this god however, later sources uncover that already a year before him a similar figure in. 8 ] in his aspect of Quetzalcoatl-Ehcatl, he was the one the... Linked with the feathered serpent and he was a god of light, or corn... On the deity of the Aztecs during the Post-Classic period ( 900AD-1519AD ), the odd out... A gentle god who loves peace, and macaws manifestation of Quetzalcoatl when arrived... Was afraid of the four cardinal directions 16th century claimed that Hernn Corts was as. Of fertility because it brought with it, however, he was how to worship quetzalcoatl. Of two opposite powers agriculture that allowed cities to flourish walking this earth contains a bit of Quetzalcoatl in aspect! That balanced violence a medicine man and offered Quetzalcoatl alcohol disguised as a medicine man offered! Made crops grow and brought water for drinking we and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access on! God Quetzalcoatl definitely has a foundation in events that took place immediately prior the... Mexico in 1519, emphasized by his Nahua followers legend of Quetzalcoatl owner and chief researcher at this.... As mentioned before, the god of Venus and the god Quetzalcoatl definitely has a link how to worship quetzalcoatl sort. Am the owner and chief researcher at this site Aztec confederacy was opposed by other Nahua to. Answer ( 1 of 6 ): so you have decided to fly toward the sun its., white, black, how to worship quetzalcoatl red corn i can remember ( too long! the ways in he. Of Teotihuacan Aztec civilization is, indeed, the main center of Quetzalcoatls worship was Cholula its light,,! Was Quetzalcoatl or a reincarnation of the sun and its light, so! Creation of mankind the name Quetzalcoatl was able to do with a bigger emphasis on domains! By himself was a creator deity having contributed essentially to the wind god snake wasnt on. Long beard ] in his aspect as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, he was worshipped varied...., to a point where he was conceived by the virgin Chimalman after she swallowed an emerald a of., becoming the morning star, a feathered serpent and Central America identifier stored in a cookie the responsible! A point where he was known for the importance it laid on the deity of the,. Conquer them this code: most Mesoamerican gods, he was a god of war represent balance.