Well, in fact, the Feathered Serpent is deemed to be the god who has helped Mesoamerican cultures start their corn crops. He also has red and green feathers around his head and back. 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. For example, a depiction in Acapulco, Mexico, shows the Aztec snake god in all its glory. Mason-Dixon Line Did the Incas worship Quetzalcoatl? A wide range of maize crops are still eaten to this date, both by the Mexicans that have adopted many of the European habits, and the remaining Indigenous peoples of central Mexico. Thats quite a big deal, because for the people in ancient Mexico, maize, or corn, is not just a crop. Because the Feathered Serpent himself was the one responsible for the eclipse, he is often referred to as the Fifth Sun. 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). Welcome. The Aztecs werent a big fan of chronological order and shook up the world of the gods. Actually, the Aztec god is often regarded as one of the most worshiped characters in the Aztec religion. In art, he is represented by various animal symbols such as quetzals, rattlesnakes, crows, and macaws. Every reincarnation story seems to come with its proper birth story, but there is one story that stands out. What are the facts associated with this mysterious god? However, later sources uncover that already a year before him a similar figure dwelled in the lands of the Aztec territory. iPhone History: A Timeline of Every Model in Order The temple can be found at Teotihuacan and was erected in the third century. [24] In another story, the virgin Chimalman conceived Quetzalcoatl by swallowing an emerald. Despite their joint leadership, their rivalry didn't ended as Tezcatlipoca, feared by his worshipers . 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. By Quetzalcoatl was a god for many ancient . Although some Mesoamericans believed that Quetzalcoatl did not enjoy human sacrifices, others believed that his creation myth demanded them. [25] Quetzalcoatl was often considered the god of the morning star, and his twin brother Xolotl was the evening star (Venus). While in his own story, this was not all too literal, his actions that followed were actually the literal interpretation of his promise. Quetzalcoatl is closely associated with the myth of the four cardinal directions. How should one worship the sun? He is a former head writer at VIVA Travel Guides. However, as opposed to earlier depictions of Quetzalcoatl, the Mayan version of the deity had more elaborate features. [8] In his form as the morning star, Venus, he is also depicted as a harpy eagle. 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. He is usually called one of the Aztec gods, but even this identification only reveals a partial truth. They kept the same gods but believed in a new story. Quetzalcoatl appears in many ancient Mesoamerican codices, sculptures and reliefs. 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. 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. Worship of Quetzalcoatl can be traced back to as early as the Teotihuacan civilization, a prominent urban center that peaked between the 3rd to 8th centuries CE. The legend of Quetzalcoatl is spoofed in the Adult Swim CGI series Xavier: Renegade Angel. Because the feathered serpent was such a widespread and long-lasting archetype, he was known by many names throughout Mexico and Central America. 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. After the second sun, Tezcatlipoca turned all of the people into monkeys, which displeased Quetzalcoatl, who caused the monkeys to be blown away by a hurricane. 3. Among these Mesoamerican gods, Quetzalcoatl was also one of the oldest. The east is represented by Xipe Totec who is the Red Tezcatlipoca and the god of gold and farming. After the eclipse of the fourth sun, Quetzalcoatl would go on a trip to the underworld. When he arrived, he took exactly one grain of corn back to the Aztec people.This very grain allowed the Aztec people to cultivate and harvest the corn plant in their own territory. The ancient Olmec civilization lasted roughly from 1200 to 400 B.C. One of these groups centered around the city of Cholula, where the great pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl. Minster, Christopher. Similar mythology was shared by many of the Aztecs neighbors as well as their ancestors. One of the jewels he is depicted with is the wind jewel, affirming his status as a wind god. To both Teotihuacan and Maya cultures, Venus was in turn also symbolically connected with warfare.[21]. Quetzalcoatlhe was the wind, the guide and road sweeper of the rain gods, of the masters of the water, of those who brought rain. Of these, Quetzalcoatl was the Sun in the second cycle. After all, thats the process that he himself went through: from darkness to light. One day, Quetzalcoatls twin brother would coerce him into drinking pulque, a classic Mexican alcoholic beverage still served to this day. 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! [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. 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. 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. This is what you have to look forward to- Initially, you will notice that you can find pleasure in new and sometimes bizarre places. Finally, the north is represented by the god who is only known as Tezcatlipoca or the Black Tezcatlipoca. 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. For the ancient and contemporary people of Mexico, corn is not just your average crop. Also, the Quetzalcoatl mural had quite a bit to do with internal peace in society. Several of the peoples of Eastern Mexico united with Corts in the belief that he would help them overthrow the Aztecs. Even today, however, Nahuatl is just one of sixty-three native languages recognized in Mexico. Quetzalcoatl was considered important in the pantheon of Aztec gods. When he started to pay attention to what he was watering, Tlaloc saw a cave full of snakes that were eagerly sipping on his water. This, too, meant the end of the god Quetzalcoatl. (Many academics conclude this passage implies incest.) He was also associated with the creation of mankind, so he also possibly occupied the role of creator in the Aztec mythology. Quetzalcoatl, or Feathered Serpent, was an important god to the ancient people of Mesoamerica. 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 . Incest is nothing new in mythology, but seducing a celibate priestess might be. [41] However, in 1892 one president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, John Taylor, wrote:[42]. Latter-day Saint author Brant Gardner, after investigating the link between Quetzalcoatl and Jesus, concluded that the association amounts to nothing more than folklore. 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. This made crops grow and brought water for drinking. In fact, the Feathered Serpent was the patron deity of the priests, meaning that he was supporting and protecting them. 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. In Aztec language, his name indicated him to be a boundary between the Earth and the sky. READ MORE: 10 Gods of Death and the Underworld From Around the World. Along with one of his brothers, he was instructed by his parents to create the world six hundred years after his birth. The Spanish helped non-Aztec groups reclaim territory that included a massive pyramid dedicated to Quetzalcoatl. The following morning, he ordered his servants to build him a stone coffin. The cult even spread down into the Maya lands. Quetzelcoatl also appeared on (Season 3) of the Animal Planet mockumentary Lost Tapes in an episode entitled "Q the Serpent God". 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. In Xochicalco, depictions of the feathered serpent accompany the image of a seated, armed ruler and the hieroglyph for the day sign 9 Wind. 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. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) Corn did exist, but it grew at a location that the ancient cultures were unable to reach. The worship of Miclantecuhtli was ongoing with the arrival of Europeans in the Americas. In the Mesoamerican Epiclassic Period (900-1200 A.D.), worship of Quetzalcoatl took off. This is also evident in the duality of serpent figures throughout Mesopotamian history. Of course, the odd one out sparked the interest of Tlaloc. The Church of Latter Day Saints, better known as the Mormons, teaches that Jesus Christ walked the Earth after his resurrection, spreading the word of Christianity to all corners of the globe. [11] That period lies within the Late Preclassic to Early Classic period (400 BC 600 AD) of Mesoamerican chronology; veneration of the figure appears to have spread throughout Mesoamerica by the Late Classic period (600900AD). 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? At this particular address, behind the green door, next . Because there were so many languages and ethnic groups in Mesoamerica, their gods went by many names. 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. In his aspect as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, he was the fearsome god of Venus and the morning star. Round monuments occur particularly often in Huastec territory. The eclipse that was caused by the birth of Quetzalcoatl is believed to be the fifth eclipse to ever happen. . His Roots Go Back as Far as the Ancient Olmec, Quetzalcoatl May Be Based on a Historical Person, Quetzalcoatl Had Many Different Appearances, His Association With the Conquistadors Was Likely Made Up. Quetzalcoatl is thus not only an Aztec god. Quetzalcoatl is a form of one of Mesoamericas most wide-spread images. Or, more appropriately, Abya Yala.Worship of Quetzalcoatl can be traced back to as early as the Teotihuacan civilization, a prominent urban center that peaked between the 3rd to 8th centuries CE. Often he is also represented as spider monkeys, ducks, and other animals or beings of nature. 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 Aztec confederacy was opposed by other Nahua groups to the east. Residing in the darkness felt safe to him, so he decided to stay far away from the life-giving water. Besides giving life to people, Quetzalcoatl also allowed humans to survive. Looking at the iconography and retold myths of Mesoamerica, some historians have theories that Quetzalcoatl came to be associated with culture and urban civilization. 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. In the extant Mayan sources, it has been revealed that Quetzalcoatl, or the Feathered Serpent, was associated with warfare as well as fertility. According to stories, Aztec people only ate animals or roots until Quetzalcoatl arrived. [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. One of the most often-repeated stories involving Quetzalcoatl was one that spread after the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in Mexico. It was also the patron god of the Aztec priesthood. Mayans had deities with feathered serpent as their names. This is largely due to the story that the Aztec king welcomed Hernn Corts, the Spanish conquistador, as the reincarnation of the god. For more details, Wikipedia is a good resource. [9] In Mazatec legends the astrologer deity Tlahuizcalpanteuctli, who is also represented by Venus, bears a close relationship with Quetzalcoatl. 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. 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. Aztec ceremonies often lasted several days . On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Xochiquetzal and the Moon Each of these four sons presides over one of the four cardinal directions. There are three different ways you can cite this article. Whether Quetzalcoatl would return was out of the question. Quetzalcoatlhe was the wind, the guide and road sweeper of the rain gods, of the masters of the water, of those who brought rain. The legend reports that Quetzalcoatl was a peaceful king and priest of Tollan, but he was deceived by Tezcatlipoca and his followers, who practiced human sacrifice and violence. He used his own blood from wounds he inflicted on himself to give life to the bones and create mankind. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. But, remember, the promise of Quetzalcoatl was to bring heaven to the beings that were living in hell. Some said that before this he had helped to create the world itself. By adding a bit of his own blood, he allowed a new civilization to emerge. Drunkenness was forbidden, so Tezcatlipoca disguised himself as a medicine man and offered Quetzalcoatl alcohol disguised as a medicinal potion. A 2012 exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Dallas Museum of Art, "The Children of the Plumed Serpent: the Legacy of Quetzalcoatl in Ancient Mexico", demonstrated the existence of a powerful confederacy of Eastern Nahuas, Mixtecs and Zapotecs, along with the peoples they dominated throughout southern Mexico between 1200 and 1600 (Pohl, Fields, and Lyall 2012, Harvey 2012, Pohl 2003). In some stories he created mankind, and in others he worked with his brother to form the earth itself. The new perceptions came with the installment of the Toltec and Aztec empire and how they braided their more violent nature in their mythology. So Quetzalcoatl is named after the thing he looks like, a feathered serpent deity. Here, our plumed serpent gathered the bones of all the previous races that walked the earth. That is, according to the Aztecs. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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