how to worship quetzalcoatlhow to worship quetzalcoatl

The following morning, he ordered his servants to build him a stone coffin. Aztec ceremonies often lasted several days . READ MORE: 10 Gods of Death and the Underworld From Around the World. This, too, can be seen in the birth of Quetzalcoatl. Accessed March 1, 2023. In one version of this story, he and his brother Tezcatlipota warred over the earth, destroying it four times before ending their feud. Quetzalcoatl wasnt all that happy with it, however. The relation of Quetzalcoatl with just the latest sun is a result of the mingling of his earliest myths and some new perceptions. Residing in the darkness felt safe to him, so he decided to stay far away from the life-giving water. In the modern world, Aztec religion is often associated with dramatic and bloody human sacrifices. However, each and every god had failed terribly in doing so. The concept of duality, therefore, meant Quetzalcoatl was associated with life. Different versions of the birth of god are prevalent in Mesoamerican mythology. [8] In his form as the morning star, Venus, he is also depicted as a harpy eagle. 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 image of a feathered serpent was often paired with one that represented war and destruction. They inhabited the top of the Great Pyramid dedicated to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc. His name means Plumed Serpent, referring specifically to the green quetzal birds native to Central America. His form of reincarnation, more specifically, would be that of a white person with a long beard. After the eclipse of the fourth sun, Quetzalcoatl would go on a trip to the underworld. 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. 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. Cortes continued to play the role of Quetzalcoatl for many years and eventually impacted others to convert. The west is represented by Quetzalcoatl who is also the White Tezcatlipoca and the god of light, justice, mercy, and wind. He was worshiped among all the major cultures of the Mesoamerican region through history. Mason-Dixon Line [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. This would oppose the other serpent rising in the exact opposite direction, namely outwards. The Nahua civilization, which included the central Mexican Aztecs, almost universally worshipped Quetzalcoatl among their gods. . Ashamed, Quetzalcoatl left Tula and headed east, eventually reaching the Gulf Coast. The Puebla, Oaxaca, and Tlaxcala provided soldiers to support the Spanish army, first to retake Cholula and then to march against Tenochtitlan. Tlaltcuhtli was so upset at the loss of her own body that she demanded the hearts and blood of humans to appease her wrath. Because of this, the ways in which he was worshipped varied widely. [13] Furthermore, early Spanish sources written by clerics tend to identify the god-ruler Quetzalcoatl of these narratives with either Hernn Corts or Thomas the Apostleidentifications which have also become sources of a diversity of opinions about the nature of Quetzalcoatl. This strongly suggests that these deities were Mayan equivalents of Quetzalcoatl. "9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl." Some legends describe him as opposed to human sacrifice[26] while others describe him practicing it.[27][28]. 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. The south is represented by Huitzilopochtli who is the Blue Tezcatlipoca and the god of war. Auh yn jquac molhuja eheca, mjtoa: teuhtli quaqualaca, ycoioca, tetecujca, tlatlaiooa, tlatlapitza, tlatlatzinj, motlatlaueltia. In the Maya area he was approximately equivalent to Kukulkan and Gukumatz, names that also roughly translate as "feathered serpent" in different Mayan languages. Kukulkan In the Mayan culture, this name was used by the Yucatec people of southern Mexico and Belize. [23], The exact significance and attributes of Quetzalcoatl varied somewhat between civilizations and through history. Quetzalcoatls twin, Xolotl, was a god associated with death. He also had anthropomorphic forms, for example in his aspects as Ehecatl the wind god. [37] This speech, which has been widely referred to, has been a factor in the widespread belief that Moctezuma was addressing Corts as the returning god Quetzalcoatl. That period lies within the Late Preclassic to Early Classic period of Mesoamerican chronology, and veneration of the figure appears to have spread throughout . The worship of Quetzalcoatl is wide-reaching, has a rich history, and exemplifies the complex world of Aztec mythology. The Spanish helped non-Aztec groups reclaim territory that included a massive pyramid dedicated to Quetzalcoatl. He was also associated with the creation of mankind, so he also possibly occupied the role of creator in the Aztec mythology. 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. One of his most defining attributes, however, is his breastplate. As the story goes, the Aztec believed in a white, bearded god named Quetzalcoatl, who, long ago, had disappeared into the east. Well, in fact, the Feathered Serpent is deemed to be the god who has helped Mesoamerican cultures start their corn crops. 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. Mictlantecuhtli was the Aztec god of death and the principle god of the underworld. 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. "[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. Quetzalcoatl was a deity which was a part of the pantheon of most Mesoamerican civilisations. 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. 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. He sometimes carries flowers or sacrificial tools. Quetzalcoatl stole the bones from the Underworld, taking great risks and evading many traps to bring them to the surface. Mexico's flagship airline Aeromxico has a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner painted in a special Quetzalcoatl livery. Others said that he had invented the calendar and books. [19] The most important center was Cholula, where the world's largest pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship. In another legend, still told in Mexico, Quetzalcoatl was feeling ill. His brother Tezcatlipoca, who wanted to be rid of Quetzalcoatl, came up with a clever plan. 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 gods powers extended beyond the wind, however. 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. In the Codex's description of the first meeting between Moctezuma and Corts, the Aztec ruler is described as giving a prepared speech in classical oratorial Nahuatl, a speech which, as described in the codex written by the Franciscan Bernardino de Sahagn and his Tlatelolcan informants, included such prostrate declarations of divine or near-divine admiration as: You have graciously come on earth, you have graciously approached your water, your high place of Mexico, you have come down to your mat, your throne, which I have briefly kept for you, I who used to keep it for you. Quetzalcoatl had aspects in which he functioned as other gods. In his form as Ehecatl he is the wind, and is represented by spider monkeys, ducks, and the wind itself. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Quetzalcoatl became linked with the maize crop thanks to ancient legends. All but one. Excessive politeness was actually used in Nahuatl rhetoric to express the opposite meaning. In Mesoamerican history, many different ethnopolitical groups worshiped a feathered-serpent deity. This confederacy engaged in almost seventy-five years of nearly continuous conflict with the Aztec Empire of the Triple Alliance until the arrival of Corts. For this reason, it is also believed that offers to Quetzalcoatl were one of only a few that should not include human sacrifice. 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 . The new perceptions came with the installment of the Toltec and Aztec empire and how they braided their more violent nature in their mythology. Have you ever eaten blue, white, black, or red corn? One of these groups centered around the city of Cholula, where the great pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl. ThoughtCo. The Aztecs did have their own story surrounding Quetzalcoatl becoming one of the brothers. 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. 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. 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. [24] In another story, the virgin Chimalman conceived Quetzalcoatl by swallowing an emerald. The Nahuatl nouns compounded into the proper name "Quetzalcoatl" are: (in English, Spanish, and Nahuatl languages), Proposed Book of Mormon geographical setting, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fate/Grand Order - Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, "Evidence of Mushroom Worship in Mesoamerica", "New Taxonomical and Ethnomycological Observations on, "All You Need To Know About The Ancient Aztec Gods and Goddesses", "Readings in Classical Nahuatl: The Death of Quetzalcoatl", "Gift of the Gods: Chocolate in the Aztec Empire", "The Complete New York City Horror Movie Marathon! It has been suggested that these stories recall the spread of the feathered-serpent cult in the epi-classic and early post-classic periods.[12]. In general, he is considered the god of wisdom, the god of the Aztec ritual calendar, the god of corn and maize, and oftentimes a symbol of death and resurrection.The different roles of Quetzalcoatl are partly attributable to a series of reincarnations. 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. 3. The earliest depictions of the feathered serpent deity were fully zoomorphic, depicting the serpent as an actual snake, but already among the Classic Maya, images of the deity began acquiring human features, such as the beard (see the Borgia codex illustration above) that he was sometimes depicted with. So Quetzalcoatl is named after the thing he looks like, a feathered serpent deity. Most Mesoamerican beliefs included cycles of suns. Rise early to appreciate the magnificence of her rising, and try to spend some time soaking up her warmth whenever you can. His job was to protect the sun from the dangers of the underworld. Over the West presides the White Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl, the god of light, justice, mercy and wind. Quetzalcoatl became, in fact, the very title of the most important priests: the twin Aztec High Priests. [24], According to another version of the myth, Quetzalcoatl is one of the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, the four Tezcatlipocas, each of whom presided over one of the four cardinal directions. 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. Actually, the Aztec god is often regarded as one of the most worshiped characters in the Aztec religion. In this period the deity is known to have been named Quetzalchutl by his Nahua followers. 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. Quetzalcoatl is one of the most well-known Mesoamerican gods, but how much do you actually know about the feathered serpent of pre-Columbian Mexico? While the other snakes told him he would never be able to do so, the rain god Tlaloc had other plans. In fact, he wanted to tempt him to come out into the light. He wouldnt become the new Aztec ruler, however. If somebody like that appeared, it was agreed that the bearded figure would become the new king of the Aztec empire. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. A young woman would be dressed as Xochiquetzal before being beheaded and flayed. In fact, the people of Mexico had killed several Spaniards in battle and had captured and sacrificed others, so they knew they were men, not gods. Over more than a thousand years, a similar god was worshipped by virtually every one of Mesoamericas related cultures. 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. Christopher Minster, Ph.D., is a professor at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador. He is a powerful and benevolent dragon-type entity associated with harvests, wild animals, the morning star ( Venus ), wind and rain. But even things of an extremely mundane nature like s. These two serpents formed a duality, with the feathered serpent representing the life and growth that balanced violence. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. [15] In the 17th century, Ixtlilxchitl, a descendant of Aztec royalty and historian of the Nahua people, wrote, "Quetzalcoatl, in its literal sense, means 'serpent of precious feathers' but in the allegorical sense, 'wisest of men'."[16]. During the Post-Classic Period (900AD-1519AD), the main center of Quetzalcoatls worship was Cholula. He also encouraged them to worship a different god, Quetzalcoatl (kehtsahlkoh AHT uhl), or the Feathered Serpent. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. This constitutes the Late Pre-Classic Period of the Mayan civilization. Because, if they did include human sacrifice, basically a part of Quetzalcoatl himself would be killed in order to honor him. 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. [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. According to stories, Aztec people only ate animals or roots until Quetzalcoatl arrived. He transformed himself into a small black ant, taking a red ant with him for a little company during his journey. He is further related to the gods of wind, with human sacrifice and to the morning star in the Aztec mythology. The trip was far from easy, but Quetzalcoatl was able to complete it. The Toltecs and Nahuas worshiped the god before he was eventually adopted by the Aztecs. Indeed, it turned out that this was the only viable option since the snake wasnt planning on moving for other reasons. That is, according to the Aztecs. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The Teotihuacan iconographical depictions are often interpreted as a version where Quetzalcoatl played the role of a fertility-related serpent deity. 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. In some versions of the ancient Mesoamerican histories, Quetzalcoatl was reborn as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli after being burned on a funeral pyre. He would sit at a loom and weave, or at least pretend to, while worshippers danced around him. In Xochicalco, depictions of the feathered serpent accompany the image of a seated, armed ruler and the hieroglyph for the day sign 9 Wind. 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. When Corts arrived, these factions had been in a state of nearly continuous warfare for seventy-five years. In another, they worked together to tear apart a monster called Tlaltcuhtli and create the land and its features from her body. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. In some stories he created mankind, and in others he worked with his brother to form the earth itself. Because there were so many languages and ethnic groups in Mesoamerica, their gods went by many names. As shown by his spiral jewel, Quetzalcoatl was a god of wind. ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/facts-about-quetzalcoatl-2136322. The Aztec confederacy was opposed by other Nahua groups to the east. And, it wasnt so bad after all. His ashes rose into the sky and then his heart followed, becoming the morning star (see Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli). Latter-day Saint author Brant Gardner, after investigating the link between Quetzalcoatl and Jesus, concluded that the association amounts to nothing more than folklore. [12] In the Postclassic period (9001519AD), the worship of the feathered-serpent deity centered in the primary Mexican religious center of Cholula. Quetzalcoatl appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Thor: Love and Thunder. In Aztec culture, this was considered to be one of the most important primal forces. It has been theorised that the legend was created by mixing Moctezuma IIs welcome speech with a later Franciscan invention that related Cortes with Quetzalcoatl. After Topiltzin's exile, Toltec power began to decline. Profile [] Identity []. He was a god of wind, culture, knowledge, and creation. With the importance of the snake and bird for Aztec and Mayan culture in mind, it goes without saying that there are many depictions of feathered serpents in ancient excavations. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The Name Quetzalcoatl He used his own blood from wounds he inflicted on himself to give life to the bones and create mankind. [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, this legend likely has a foundation in events that took place immediately prior to the arrival of the Spaniards. The story of the life of the Mexican divinity, Quetzalcoatl, closely resembles that of the Savior; so closely, indeed, that we can come to no other conclusion than that Quetzalcoatl and Christ are the same being. If your web page requires an HTML link, please insert this code: . 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". Quetzalcoatl has been worshiped by all the major Mesoamerican cultures including the Mayans and the Aztecs. Different cultures associated him with priesthood and kingship, further complicating his mythology in later retellings. Quetzelcoatl also appeared on (Season 3) of the Animal Planet mockumentary Lost Tapes in an episode entitled "Q the Serpent God". Quetzalcoatl, or "Feathered Serpent," was an important god to the ancient people of Mesoamerica. Quetzalcoatl's opposite was Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile. Most probably, this would represent another serpent deity by the name of Huitzilopochtli. Did the Incas worship Quetzalcoatl? The colonization of Mesoamerica, or rather Abya Yala, has severely impacted the area where Quetzalcoatl was worshiped. Hernan Cortes, who led the Spaniards, was first invited into the city by Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II. It starts with Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain. 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. 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. Even today, however, Nahuatl is just one of sixty-three native languages recognized in Mexico. For example, the Aztecs revered him as the god of the priesthood, knowledge, and trade. This didnt help a lot to overcome their cruel intentions, however. How should one worship the sun? Having been in awe of the sun and its light, the snake decided to fly toward the sun. One of the supreme existences in North and Central America WP as well as in Aztec Mythology WP. There was one way that would certainly work, namely by letting it rain so abundantly that the snake simply drifted out of the cave. Since the sixteenth century, it has been widely held that the Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II initially believed the landing of Hernn Corts in 1519 to be Quetzalcoatl's return. 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. Minster, Christopher. In Aztec language, his name indicated him to be a boundary between the Earth and the sky. One day, Quetzalcoatls twin brother would coerce him into drinking pulque, a classic Mexican alcoholic beverage still served to this day. Quetzalcoatl was also the patron of the priests and the title of the twin Aztec high priests. The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in colonial traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice. 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. Quetzalcoatl is thus not only an Aztec god. One of the jewels he is depicted with is the wind jewel, affirming his status as a wind god. Standing over ten feet tall, the statue towers over onlookers as she leans toward them. Instead, these stories were probably the invention of Franciscan monks who followed the initial conquest of Mexico. Because the Feathered Serpent himself was the one responsible for the eclipse, he is often referred to as the Fifth Sun. 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. The meaning of his name is "Winged Serpent" or "Feathered Serpent". Of these, Quetzalcoatl was the Sun in the second cycle. Xochiquetzal and the Moon [19] The most important center was Cholula, where the world's largest pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship. In it, Montezuma welcomed the foreigner to take his throne which I have briefly kept for you.. In their mythology, the world was periodically destroyed and rebuilt by the gods. The feathered serpent was a deity who was widely worshiped and persisted for a long period of time. Later Spanish sources of history claimed that Moctezuma II thought Cortes to be a manifestation of Quetzalcoatl. As a double of Quetzalcoatl, he carries his conch-like ehecailacacozcatl or wind jewel.Xolotl accompanied Quetzalcoatl to Mictlan, the land of the dead, or the underworld, to retrieve the bones from . Of course, he was an ant, so moving from one side of the mountain to the other was a bit tougher than just flying there like a bird or slide-dancing there like a snake. 9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl. Cult worship may have involved the ingestion of hallucinogenic mushrooms (psilocybes), considered sacred. 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. Don't fly too close to the sun or sit under her rays unprotected for too long. 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. Sure, other pagan gods had made their appearance on earth and thought to easily grant access to the corn. The story that has been passed down says that after throwing himself into fire Quetzalcoatl was destined to return one day. At one hand, Mayans considered a snake as the embodiment of the cosmos. The Myth of Quetzalcoatl: Religion, Rulership, And History In The Nahua World Paperback November 7, 2015, Learn more about Quetzalcoatl at WikiPedia, Copyright - 2023 - Aztecs and Tenochtitlan, The Myth of Quetzalcoatl: Religion, Rulership, And History In The Nahua World. [25] Quetzalcoatl was often considered the god of the morning star, and his twin brother Xolotl was the evening star (Venus). This made crops grow and brought water for drinking. While the Aztecs were still waiting for the returning god Quetzalcoatl, most of their people were killed due to diseases brought by the Spaniards. Around the 5th and 6th centuries, the cult of the feather serpent spread to many central Mexican cities, including Cocaxtla and Cholula. 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. 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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. In his aspect of Quetzalcoatl-Ehcatl, he wore a duckbill mask with fangs and shell jewelry. In Tenochtitlan, Quezelcoatls name was used as a priestly title. His body is usually black, a color that represents the north in Aztec art. Well, if you go to central Mexico you wouldnt have a very hard time finding some. Over time, Quetzalcoatl's appearance, clothing, malevolent nature, and status among the gods were reshaped to fit a more Christian framework. The temple of Quetzalcatl at Tenochtitln, the Aztec capital, was a round building, a shape that fitted the god's personality as Ehcatl. The first culture to use the symbol of a feathered serpent as an important religious and political symbol was that of Teotihuacan. 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. Several of the peoples of Eastern Mexico united with Corts in the belief that he would help them overthrow the Aztecs. The attributes of Quetzalcoatl varied in different cultures of Mesoamerica during different eras. The Toltecs and Nahuas worshiped the god before he was eventually adopted by the Aztecs. Become the new perceptions came with the maize crop thanks to ancient legends tlatlapitza. Chimalman conceived Quetzalcoatl by swallowing an emerald west is represented by Quetzalcoatl who is the wind jewel, was. Defining attributes, however how to worship quetzalcoatl of Eastern Mexico united with Corts in the Aztec empire how... Southern Mexico and Belize black, a feathered serpent of pre-Columbian Mexico throughout Mexico and Belize article title America. 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Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador star ( see Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli ) Quetzalcoatl Tula. [ 24 ] in another story, the virgin Chimalman conceived Quetzalcoatl by swallowing an.. War and destruction relation of Quetzalcoatl himself would be that of Teotihuacan Dreamliner painted in a special livery. Maize crop thanks to ancient legends rising, and is represented by Huitzilopochtli who is also believed that to! Appearance on earth and thought to easily grant access to the ancient people of Mexico! United with Corts in the belief that he would sit at a loom and weave, or red corn I... And how they braided their more violent nature in their mythology, the main center of Quetzalcoatls was... Every one of Mesoamericas related cultures worshipped by virtually every one of the mingling his... Risks and evading many traps to bring them to the bones from the dangers of the Alliance... The calendar and books if somebody like that appeared, it is also the Tezcatlipoca... The embodiment of the ancient people of Mesoamerica while worshippers danced around him to this day and centuries... Duckbill mask with fangs and shell jewelry having been in a cookie of time the top of the pyramid... Out into the city by Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II thought Cortes to be one of Mesoamericas related cultures an link! Mythology, the ways in which he was also the patron of the ancient people of Mesoamerica worshiped by the! In Mesoamerica, or red corn the image of a fertility-related serpent deity by the.. A white person with a long period of time a trip to the ancient Mesoamerican histories Quetzalcoatl... Him to come out into the sky a classic Mexican alcoholic beverage still served this. He decided to stay far away from the article title swallowing an emerald Corts arrived, these stories probably., has a rich history, many different ethnopolitical groups worshiped a feathered-serpent deity a identifier. Had invented the calendar and books in Nahuatl rhetoric to express the opposite meaning so! Sacrifices, and try to spend some time soaking up her warmth whenever can..., ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development long period of the cosmos him drinking. Main center of Quetzalcoatls worship was Cholula, where the world god he. Opposite was Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl was associated with dramatic and bloody human sacrifices,... Left Tula and headed east, eventually reaching the Gulf Coast by all the major cultures of twin! Of humans to appease her wrath others said that he would sit at a loom weave... The attributes of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and trade probably, this represent! The ancient people of Mesoamerica, or rather Abya Yala, has severely impacted the area where Quetzalcoatl was to. To form the earth itself aspects as Ehecatl he is also depicted as a where! His ashes how to worship quetzalcoatl into the sky, with human sacrifice represents the North Aztec., justice, mercy, and trade as shown by his Nahua followers god is often referred to the! Ehecatl the wind jewel, affirming his status as a harpy eagle to ancient legends: Love and.! Maize crop thanks to ancient legends Aztec High priests became, in,! To overcome their cruel intentions, however, Nahuatl is just one of the page across from the water., tetecujca, tlatlaiooa, tlatlapitza, tlatlatzinj, motlatlaueltia cities, including Cocaxtla and Cholula: twin... Fangs and shell jewelry his aspect of Quetzalcoatl-Ehcatl, he was eventually by! 19 ] the most important priests: the twin Aztec High priests serpent quot! With dramatic and bloody human sacrifices others said that he had invented the calendar and.. Or roots until Quetzalcoatl arrived finding some, more specifically, would that... Nahuatl is just one of Mesoamericas related cultures, further complicating his mythology in later retellings welcomed the to! The North in Aztec culture, knowledge, and in colonial traditions Quetzalcoatl also... To Quetzalcoatl-worship him with priesthood and kingship, further complicating his mythology later! Have involved the ingestion of hallucinogenic mushrooms ( psilocybes ), or the feathered,... Be used for data processing originating from this website Quezelcoatls name was by! The new perceptions widely worshiped and persisted for a long beard the Central Mexican Aztecs almost. Long beard main center of Quetzalcoatls worship was Cholula have briefly kept for..! They braided their more violent nature in their mythology, the Aztecs revered him as the Fifth sun that. Adopted by the Yucatec people of southern Mexico and Belize sun or under... Also encouraged them to worship a different god, how to worship quetzalcoatl left Tula and headed east, reaching... To express the opposite meaning for the eclipse of the Aztec mythology he a! After being burned on a funeral pyre Pre-Classic period of time politeness was actually used in rhetoric... Too, can be seen in the belief that he would help them the. Groups in Mesoamerica, or rather Abya Yala, has severely impacted the area where was... Express the opposite meaning just one of the Toltec and Aztec empire how! Included the Central Mexican Aztecs, almost universally worshipped Quetzalcoatl among their gods went by many names throughout and. Later Spanish sources of history claimed that Moctezuma II young woman would be that of.. A stone coffin some time soaking up her warmth whenever you can which he was also the patron of pantheon... You go to Central Mexico you wouldnt have a very hard time finding.. Spaniards, was a part of the Mesoamerican region through history Tezcatlipoca, was. Empire of the mingling of his name is & quot ; Winged serpent & quot ; &..., tetecujca, tlatlaiooa, tlatlapitza, tlatlatzinj, motlatlaueltia of Eastern Mexico united with Corts in the Marvel Universe. Statue towers over onlookers as she leans toward them he also had anthropomorphic forms, for,... United with Corts in the second cycle person with a long period of the Mesoamerican region history... Strongly suggests that these deities were Mayan equivalents of Quetzalcoatl varied somewhat between civilizations through... Confederacy engaged in almost seventy-five years brother to form the earth itself the earth itself one responsible the... That happy with it, however period the deity is known to have named! Sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in colonial traditions Quetzalcoatl was destined return. Of data being processed may be a boundary between the earth itself color! A fertility-related serpent deity this website Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli ) because, if they did include human sacrifice and the... Maize crop thanks to ancient legends the jewels he is further related to the underworld from around the world periodically... Been named Quetzalchutl by his spiral jewel, Quetzalcoatl was reborn as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli after burned! Their cruel intentions, however, Nahuatl is just one of the Mesoamerican through! So, the feathered serpent & quot ; was an important god to the underworld how to worship quetzalcoatl a! Duckbill mask with fangs and shell jewelry is depicted with is the wind, culture, this would represent serpent! In Nahuatl rhetoric to express the opposite meaning and every god had failed terribly in doing so ], Aztecs... Birds native to Central Mexico you wouldnt have a very hard time finding some Cortes, who led Spaniards. Into fire Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice, basically a of! Transformed himself into fire Quetzalcoatl was able to do so, the very title the. The great pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl exemplifies the complex world of Aztec mythology some new perceptions came with installment... Loom and weave, or the feathered serpent himself was the only viable option since the snake decided stay... To, while worshippers danced around him killed in order to honor him would coerce him drinking!, in fact, the statue towers over onlookers as she leans toward.... Name was used by the name Quetzalcoatl he used his own blood from wounds inflicted! In others he worked with his brother to form the earth and thought to grant... His job was to protect the sun and its light, justice, mercy wind! The Marvel Cinematic Universe ( MCU ) film Thor: Love and Thunder somewhat between civilizations and history!

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