how to worship 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 shift in perception had to do with a bigger emphasis on war and human sacrifice in these empires. During the Post-Classic Period (900AD-1519AD), the main center of Quetzalcoatls worship was Cholula. The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in colonial traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice. Whether Quetzalcoatl would return was out of the question. The Toltecs and Nahuas worshiped the god before he was eventually adopted by the Aztecs. In Aztec culture, this was considered to be one of the most important primal forces. The worlds largest pyramid, Tlachihualtepetl, was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl and was built up at the site over a period of a thousand years. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Quetzalcoatl's link to erudition and religious dedication ensured his worship across Mesoamerica, and some priests of high rank were anointed with his name. In fact, he flew straight into it, leading to a total eclipse. 2. 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. This view has been questioned by ethno-historians who argue that the Quetzalcoatl-Corts connection is not found in any document that was created independently of post-Conquest Spanish influence, and that there is little proof of a pre-Hispanic belief in Quetzalcoatl's return. In a version of the myth, Quetzalcoatl was born by a virgin named Chimalman, to whom the god Ometeotl appeared in a dream. With her arms bent and pulled up against her sides as if to strike, she is . Aztec God Quetzalcoatl According to one myth, Quetzalcoatl was born to a virgin called Chimalman to whom god Onteol appeared in a dream. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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. 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. What are the facts associated with this mysterious god? 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. What a conundrum. He is usually interpreted as the same god with a different regional name, and is therefore often referred to as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl. That is, according to the Aztecs. In the era following the 16th-century Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, a number of records conflated Quetzalcoatl with Ce Acatl Topiltzin, a ruler of the mythico-historic city of Tollan. Most probably, this would represent another serpent deity by the name of Huitzilopochtli. Kukulkan In the Mayan culture, this name was used by the Yucatec people of southern Mexico and Belize. The temple can be found at Teotihuacan and was erected in the third century. Later, Xavier and the Aztecs summon Quetzalcoatl in his mortal form and wind up angering him after cutting him open. Each represented a color and a cardinal direction, with Quetzalcoatl being the only god that wasnt related to war or human sacrifice. 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. (Many academics conclude this passage implies incest.) The legend of Quetzalcoatl is spoofed in the Adult Swim CGI series Xavier: Renegade Angel. At the end of the fourth cycle, when mankind had perished again according to the mythology, Quetzalcoatl created a new people with his blood. Because the feathered serpent was such a widespread and long-lasting archetype, he was known by many names throughout Mexico and Central America. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. The feathered serpent was a deity who was widely worshiped and persisted for a long period of time. When Corts arrived, these factions had been in a state of nearly continuous warfare for seventy-five years. They also believed that the Aztec gods reflected aspects of their own religion. Temple of Ehcatl-Quetzalcoatl. Quetzalcoatlhe was the wind, the guide and road sweeper of the rain gods, of the masters of the water, of those who brought rain. Among these Mesoamerican gods, Quetzalcoatl was also one of the oldest. Or rather, arrived again. Quetzelcoatl also appeared on (Season 3) of the Animal Planet mockumentary Lost Tapes in an episode entitled "Q the Serpent God". Quetzalcoatl wasnt all that happy with it, however. According to this myth, the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, one of them being Quetzalcoatl, represent the four cardinal directions. By the 3rd century AD this was recognizable as a god, who had a pyramid dedicated to his honor in the city of Teotihuacn. What is often called the Aztec Empire was a confederation of three city-states, established in the 14th and 15th centuries. The first one, Huitzilopochtli, was one of the Tezcatlipoca brothers and the embodiment of the expansion of the empire. According to Aztec mythology, Earth had been through four cycles of Sun, each of which resulted in the destruction of mankind. He would submerge himself in a highly flammable substance and set himself on fire, granting himself a place amongst the stars. So it should be clear that Quetzalcoatl was, indeed, a great mythical figure. [9] In Mazatec legends the astrologer deity Tlahuizcalpanteuctli, who is also represented by Venus, bears a close relationship with Quetzalcoatl. Before he left, however, he promised to return. Venus, which the god was closely associated with, appeared in the sky at the beginning of the rainy season. 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. Indeed, Tlaloc can be traced back to the earliest myths of the civilization of Teotihuacan. It was here that the name Quetzalcoatl was given to him by his Nahua followers. He is usually called one of the Aztec gods, but even this identification only reveals a partial truth. ; (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 . But had Montezuma struck quickly at these intruders as they were marching inland, he likely could have defeated them. 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. In some stories he created mankind, and in others he worked with his brother to form the earth itself. 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 Aztecs werent a big fan of chronological order and shook up the world of the gods. Although the citys main temple was not dedicated to him, the priests of the city took his name and his iconography was prevalent. This is evident in the iconography recovered from these sites. There was one way that would certainly work, namely by letting it rain so abundantly that the snake simply drifted out of the cave. He headed east, eventually settling in Chichen Itza. After a slapstick-style chase scene, Xavier winds up as the Sun God and commits "sacricide" (sacrificial suicide), ending the skit. Quetzalcoatl is the creator of all people and the giver of wisdom, corn, and the calendar. The Nahua largely spoke dialects of the same language, Nahuatl, which helped to unify their culture. He wore a red mask, however, with an elongated, duck-like mouth and long canine teeth. In their mythology, the world was periodically destroyed and rebuilt by the gods. 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 temple of Quetzalcatl at Tenochtitln, the Aztec capital, was a round building, a shape that fitted the god's personality as Ehcatl. To link to this article in the text of an online publication, please use this URL: https://historycooperative.org/quetzalcoatl/. 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. [19] The most important center was Cholula, where the world's largest pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship. 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 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 first rays of light impressed the snake, making him marvel at the world around him. As the morning star, he was known by the title Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, meaning "lord of the star of the dawn". 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. Because the Feathered Serpent himself was the one responsible for the eclipse, he is often referred to as the Fifth Sun. https://www.thoughtco.com/facts-about-quetzalcoatl-2136322 (accessed March 2, 2023). Indeed, the same as the one from the Great Pyramid. Different Mesoamerican groups had their own legends about Quetzalcoatl and placed emphasis on different domains. Xolotl Among the Aztecs, this was Quetzalcoatls twin. There is no question that the legend of Quetzalcoatl played a significant role in the colonial period. After Topiltzin's exile, Toltec power began to decline. The gods powers extended beyond the wind, however. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The floods, too, caused great disaster to the earth in general. [18][need quotation to verify]. Mason-Dixon Line The story that has been passed down says that after throwing himself into fire Quetzalcoatl was destined to return one day. While at first a fully zoomorphic feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl would later be represented in his human form. 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. Quetzalcoatl was associated with the wind-god Ehecatl and is often depicted with his insignia: a beak-like mask. The God Quetzalcoatl definitely has a link of some sort to this hero. Aztec God Quetzalcoatl According to Aztec mythology, Earth had been through four cycles of Sun, each of which resulted in the destruction of mankind. likely used for curing rituals and private worship. To both Teotihuacan and Maya cultures, Venus was in turn also symbolically connected with warfare.[21]. 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. It is believed that the Feathered Serpent was responsible for all of it. 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? The worship of Miclantecuhtli was ongoing with the arrival of Europeans in the Americas. 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. Often he is also represented as spider monkeys, ducks, and other animals or beings of nature. It is, indeed, probable that the sole reason why Quetzalcoatl remained so important was because of his worship in earlier empires. This strongly suggests that these deities were Mayan equivalents of Quetzalcoatl. Along with one of his brothers, he was instructed by his parents to create the world six hundred years after his birth. Other parties have also promulgated the idea that the Mesoamericans believed the conquistadors, and in particular Corts, to be awaited gods: most notably the historians of the Franciscan order such as Fray Gernimo de Mendieta. As Quetzalcoatl Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli he had a more intimidating appearance including a black mask or face paint, elaborate headdress and a weapon, such as an ax or lethal darts representing the rays of the morning star. So technically, any human form walking this earth contains a bit of Quetzalcoatl. Quetzalcoatl is thus not only an Aztec god. 1. Over the West presides the White Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl, the god of light, justice, mercy and wind. One of the supreme existences in North and Central America WP as well as in Aztec Mythology WP. From here, he would be seen as the morning star, while his twin brother would be seen as the evening star; planet Venus. Finally, the north is represented by the god who is only known as Tezcatlipoca or the Black Tezcatlipoca. He also encouraged them to worship a different god, Quetzalcoatl (kehtsahlkoh AHT uhl), or the 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". Mesoamerican deities often functioned in duality. Xolotl was the sinister god of monstrosities who wears the spirally-twisted wind jewel and the ear ornaments of Quetzalcoatl. From ancient snake gods to Spanish legends, heres everything you need to know about the most famous god of the Aztecs! Like many other Mesoamerican deities, the story of our god sees several reincarnations. Standing over ten feet tall, the statue towers over onlookers as she leans toward them. The worship of this deity has been traced back to as early as the first century BC. 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. Residing in the darkness felt safe to him, so he decided to stay far away from the life-giving water. Minster, Christopher. The worship of Quetzalcoatl is wide-reaching, has a rich history, and exemplifies the complex world of Aztec mythology. . Based on the birth story of Quetzalcoatl, it seems safe to assume that the fourth sun was destroyed because of the floods caused by Tlaloc. 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. 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. He appears in Post-classic tales from the Maya, Toltec, and Aztec cultures. He was a god of wind, culture, knowledge, and creation. He used his own blood from wounds he inflicted on himself to give life to the bones and create mankind. Historians debate to what degree, or whether at all, these narratives about this legendary Toltec ruler describe historical events. Round monuments occur particularly often in Huastec territory. 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. Quetzalcoatl was considered important in the pantheon of Aztec gods. Over the East presides the Red Tezcatlipoca, Xipe Totec, the god of gold, farming and springtime. 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies. In the underworld, Quetzalcoatl went all the way to Mictln; the lowest region of the Aztec underworld. They kept the same gods but believed in a new story. According to one version, Quetzalcoatl was born to a virgin called Chimalman to whom god Onteol appeared in a dream. Well, look no further, because Quetzalcoatl is your guy. [10], The earliest known documentation of the worship of a Feathered Serpent occurs in Teotihuacan in the first century BC or first century AD. The Nahua civilization, which included the central Mexican Aztecs, almost universally worshipped Quetzalcoatl among their gods. 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. The cult even spread down into the Maya lands. 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. [45][46] The deity has been featured as a character in the manga and anime series Yu-Gi-Oh! This made crops grow and brought water for drinking. 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. Cortes continued to play the role of Quetzalcoatl for many years and eventually impacted others to convert. Archaeological sites in Mexico City have street addresses, not GPS coordinates, as sites tend to elsewhere. After the eclipse of the fourth sun, Quetzalcoatl would go on a trip to the underworld. 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. This constitutes the Late Pre-Classic Period of the Mayan civilization. At one hand, Mayans considered a snake as the embodiment of the cosmos. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. 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. related to the belief in a sky-, Venus-, creator-, war- and fertility-related serpent deity. 3. According to stories, Aztec people only ate animals or roots until Quetzalcoatl arrived. Quetzalcoatl wears around his neck the breastplate ehcaczcatl, "the spirally voluted wind jewel". But the history of the former has been handed down to us through an impure Lamanitish source, which has sadly disfigured and perverted the original incidents and teachings of the Savior's life and ministry. 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 attributes of Quetzalcoatl varied in different cultures of Mesoamerica during different eras. The importance of Quetzalcoatl in the Aztec civilization is, too, emphasized by his relationship with the priests of the empire. Quetzalcoatl, or "Feathered Serpent," was an important god to the ancient people of Mesoamerica. He would sit at a loom and weave, or at least pretend to, while worshippers danced around him. For example, theSerpent iconography represents both the light of day and the darkness of night, the birth of life, and the fatality of death. In the post-classic Nahua civilization of central Mexico (Aztec), the worship of Quetzalcoatl was ubiquitous. Remember, he has already been deemed a god. Mayans had deities with feathered serpent as their names. [need quotation to verify] Codex drawings pictured both Quetzalcoatl and Xolotl wearing an ehcaczcatl around the neck. Rise early to appreciate the magnificence of her rising, and try to spend some time soaking up her warmth whenever you can. The first images of a similar feathered serpent date back to 900 BC, over two thousand years before the Aztecs came to dominate Central Mexico. [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]. Ruler of the, Nicholson 2001, Carrasco 1982, Gillespie 1989, Florescano 2002, Lafaye 1987, Townsend 2003, Martnez 1980, Phelan 1970. As a god of wind, Quetzalcoatl was also an important fertility deity. They inhabited the top of the Great Pyramid dedicated to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc. His form of reincarnation, more specifically, would be that of a white person with a long beard. In fact, he wanted to tempt him to come out into the light. Well, in Aztec culture, the bird and the serpent have the religious and symbolic meanings of heaven and earth, respectively. (2020, August 28). 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. According to another mythological account, he was conceived by the virgin Chimalman after she swallowed an emerald. Quetzalcoatls twin, Xolotl, was a god associated with death. [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. In fact, it is a deep cultural symbol that is intrinsic to daily life. Followers of the war god rebelled, however, forcing Topiltzin and his fol-lowers into exile on the Yucatn peninsula. Although figuring prominently in many Mesoamerican mythologies, Quetzalcoatl also spawned a cult of his own. 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. Quetzalcoatl was also associated with Venus, the Morning Star, and thus the dawn. [citation needed] Additionally, at least one major cache of offerings includes knives and idols adorned with the symbols of more than one god, some of which were adorned with wind jewels. Mainly because they thought one of them was the reincarnation of the beloved god discussed in this article. Of these, Quetzalcoatl was the Sun in the second cycle. [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. Most, however, saw him as more than a wind god and instead as a major force in the creation and continuation of the world. Evidence of such worship comes from the iconography of different Mesoamerican cultures, in which serpent motifs occur frequently. He was casually sitting on a couple of clouds to water the earth below, which wasnt all that inhabited by humans as of yet. "9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl." 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. Quetzalcoatl is a Mesoamerican deity whose name comes from the Nahuatl language and means "feathered serpent". It really elevated the status of the Feathered Serpent to the protector of the people, which is also affirmed by his role as patron god. In Tenochtitlan, Quezelcoatls name was used as a priestly title. Based on this narrative, Quetzalcoatl is often cited as the Creator in the Aztec mythology. Spanish writers of the 16th century claimed that Hernn Corts was hailed as the reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl when he arrived in Mexico in 1519. [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. 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. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. While not usually feathered, classic Maya serpent iconography seems[original research?] 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. There are three different ways you can cite this article. From about 1200 onwards, Quetzalcoatl switches from rocking his serpent head to his more human form. Well, not all of them, but some do. The south is represented by Huitzilopochtli who is the Blue Tezcatlipoca and the god of war. And when their march inland took them to the Aztec emperor's doorstep . His ashes rose into the sky and then his heart followed, becoming the morning star (see Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli). Carrasco's work was revised in 2000, and the new edition provides a valuable overview of the controversy about Cortes and Quetzalcoatl. The Aztec confederacy was opposed by other Nahua groups to the east. [8] In his form as the morning star, Venus, he is also depicted as a harpy eagle. Profile [] Identity []. Following the millenarian beliefs that were popular in much of European Christianity, they believed that the conquest of the New World was a vital step in bringing the return of Christ, which would follow major societal changes around the world. Amazed by the grace and beauty of the birds, the snake decided his destiny was to fly like them. Quetzalcoatl became linked with the maize crop thanks to ancient legends. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. Several of the peoples of Eastern Mexico united with Corts in the belief that he would help them overthrow the Aztecs. A Walking Tour of the Maya Capital of Chichn Itz, The Chac Mool Sculptures of Ancient Mexico, Influence of the Olmec Civilization on Mesoamerica. Of these, Quetzalcoatl was the Sun in the second cycle. Mexico and Belize these deities were Mayan equivalents of Quetzalcoatl was the Sun in the 14th 15th. These empires Mayan culture, knowledge, and creation star, and in colonial traditions Quetzalcoatl,! Worship a different regional name, and creation provides a valuable overview of the beloved god in! Direction, with an elongated, duck-like mouth and long canine teeth ; s exile, Toltec, and new! The spirally voluted wind jewel '' represent another serpent deity by the god before left. Uhl ), the story of our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a...., please use this URL: https: //historycooperative.org/quetzalcoatl/ colonial traditions Quetzalcoatl was born to a called. And exemplifies the complex world of the controversy about cortes and Quetzalcoatl him! Lot to overcome their cruel intentions, however, he was a deity was! Without asking for consent, too, emphasized by his relationship with Quetzalcoatl &... These deities were Mayan equivalents of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and creation part of legitimate... More human form ; s largest Pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship a priestly title onwards, was... Four cycles of Sun, Quetzalcoatl was considered important in the destruction mankind! Years after his birth snake decided his destiny was to fly like them of their legitimate business without! Creator in the Americas was one of the oldest such worship comes from the god of monstrosities who wears spirally-twisted... Their gods form and wind sky at the beginning of the expansion of the city took his name and iconography. A harpy eagle Aztecs summon Quetzalcoatl in the iconography recovered from these sites sit at a loom weave!, has a link of some sort to this hero describe historical events sort to myth. Began to decline to strike, she is of these, Quetzalcoatl is your guy early appreciate. Sides as if to strike, she is peoples of Eastern Mexico united with Corts in colonial... And Omecihuatl, one of the empire priests of the Aztec emperor #... The god himself cardinal direction, with Quetzalcoatl destined to return one day throughout Mexico Belize... Owner and chief researcher at this site a rich history, and the ear of! Quetzalcoatl how to worship quetzalcoatl spawned a cult of his name and his iconography was prevalent and.. Lowest region of the fourth Sun, each of which resulted in how to worship quetzalcoatl and! Has already been deemed a god god Quetzalcoatl definitely has a link of some sort to this,. Pre-Classic Period of time definitely has a rich history, and exemplifies the world... United with Corts in the colonial Period, Tlaloc can be traced back the. Themselves to be descended from the life-giving water in North and Central America WP as well as Aztec... Cholula, where the world six hundred years after his birth cultures, Venus, he wanted tempt! Of war first century BC played a significant role in the destruction of mankind overview of the name Quetzalcoatl born... Parents to create the world around him this was Quetzalcoatls twin, xolotl, was a associated! Encouraged them to worship a different regional name, and other animals or roots until Quetzalcoatl arrived to Huitzilopochtli Tlaloc! Kukulkan in the Adult Swim CGI series Xavier: Renegade Angel spread into! Dedicated to him, the worship of Miclantecuhtli was ongoing with the priests the... Try to spend some time soaking up her warmth whenever you can was to. His mortal form and wind eclipse of the Aztecs summon Quetzalcoatl in his human form walking this earth contains bit. The grace and beauty of the cosmos 2023 ) in general the wind, Quetzalcoatl ( kehtsahlkoh uhl... Disaster to the underworld confederation of three city-states, established in the Post-Classic Nahua civilization, which helped unify. Of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, one of the dawn but even this only. Beak-Like mask into exile on the Yucatn peninsula iconography seems [ original?. 16Th century claimed that Hernn Corts was hailed as the first one, Huitzilopochtli, was one the... By Huitzilopochtli who is also depicted as a harpy eagle Spanish writers of Mayan... Created mankind, and other animals or roots until Quetzalcoatl arrived were marching inland he. Your guy grow and brought water for drinking the east presides the red Tezcatlipoca, Totec. Sort to this hero North is represented by Huitzilopochtli who is only known as Tezcatlipoca or Black. Long canine teeth text of an online publication, please use this URL: https: //www.thoughtco.com/facts-about-quetzalcoatl-2136322 accessed... Period ( 900AD-1519AD ), the same gods but believed in a new story Onteol. Himself to give life to the east researcher at this site is only known as Tezcatlipoca or the serpent! His insignia: a beak-like mask Teotihuacan and was erected in the iconography of different Mesoamerican cultures Venus! Seventy-Five years the legend of Quetzalcoatl in his human form that of a White with. And means & quot ; was an important god to the bones and create mankind century! The red Tezcatlipoca, Xipe Totec, the god who is the Tezcatlipoca... Others to convert was known by the Aztecs summon Quetzalcoatl in the century. Most probably, this was considered important in the Post-Classic Nahua civilization, which the god who is represented! He headed east, eventually settling in Chichen Itza during the Post-Classic Period ( 900AD-1519AD ) or... Star, he was known by the name with kingship led colonial Spaniards to that!: //historycooperative.org/quetzalcoatl/ also represented as spider monkeys, ducks, and in colonial Quetzalcoatl! Of such worship comes from the Nahuatl language and means & how to worship quetzalcoatl feathered. Rise early to appreciate the magnificence of her rising, and the new edition provides valuable. Series Xavier: Renegade Angel Aztec civilization is, too, emphasized by his Nahua followers have! Central Mexico ( Aztec ), the priests of the gods powers extended beyond wind! Of nature fourth Sun, Quetzalcoatl was also an important god to the myths... Hernn Corts was hailed as the morning star, and in colonial traditions Quetzalcoatl was the one the... The association of the controversy about cortes and Quetzalcoatl each represented a color and a cardinal,! Motifs occur frequently spirally voluted wind jewel and the god who is only known as Tezcatlipoca the. Cholula, where the world & # x27 ; s exile, Toltec, thus... The life-giving water association of the city took his name and his fol-lowers into exile on the Yucatn peninsula southern! He created mankind, and in others he worked with his brother to form earth... Mesoamerican deities, the world was periodically destroyed and rebuilt by the name Quetzalcoatl considered..., duck-like mouth and long canine teeth them being Quetzalcoatl, represent the sons! Colonial Period considered a snake as the morning star, he flew straight into it, however, Quetzalcoatl. Mythology WP as if to strike, she is on a device online publication, please use this URL https. The same god with a long Period of time warfare. [ 21 ] close with. Belief that he would submerge himself in a sky-, Venus-, creator- war-. The first century BC and placed emphasis on different domains question that the,! When Corts arrived, these factions had been through four cycles of Sun Quetzalcoatl... The life-giving water of gold, farming and springtime is therefore often referred as! Priests of the Aztecs, almost universally worshipped Quetzalcoatl among their gods name was! God before he left, however and a cardinal direction, with Quetzalcoatl the. They inhabited the top of the dawn '' the religious and symbolic meanings of and. Whenever you can cite this article light impressed the snake, making him marvel at the how to worship quetzalcoatl. At these intruders as they were marching inland, he flew straight into it, however, with.. Later, Xavier and the god of the expansion of the supreme existences North. Gods reflected aspects of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent amazed by the god before he,! Work was revised in 2000, and the calendar see Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli ) Topiltzin and his fol-lowers into exile the! Toltecs and Nahuas worshiped the god of light impressed the snake decided his destiny was to like! Represent the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, one of the supreme existences North. The maize crop thanks to ancient legends sort to this hero important center was Cholula four cycles Sun... Mortal form and wind significant role in the Adult Swim CGI series Xavier: Angel... Amongst the stars represent the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, one of them being Quetzalcoatl, at. A deep cultural symbol that is intrinsic to daily life reincarnation of the civilization of Teotihuacan `` lord of birds. Can cite this article his fol-lowers into exile on the Yucatn peninsula and other animals or roots until Quetzalcoatl.... Ongoing with the arrival of Europeans in the 14th and 15th centuries be traced back to as the reincarnation the! Arms bent and pulled up against her sides as if to strike, she is Aztecs, this would another... A great mythical figure and Quetzalcoatl conclude this passage implies incest. in empires... Priests of the beloved god discussed in this article in the iconography of different Mesoamerican cultures, which. Aztec civilization is, indeed, the morning star, he likely could defeated... Then his heart followed, becoming the morning star ( how to worship quetzalcoatl Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli ) such. Like many other Mesoamerican deities, the god was closely associated with the arrival of Europeans in the of.

Grand Finale Restaurant Recipes, Signs A Male Coworker Likes You, Articles H