Legend says that Ce Acatl Topiltzin and the Toltecs left Tula after being tricked and shamed by Quetzalcoatls brother, the deity Tezcatlipoca. [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]. Accessed June 29, 2019.https://www.inside-mexico.com/the-legend-of-maize/. Because there were . 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". The third president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, John Taylor (1808-1887), believed that Quetzalcoatl was Jesus Christ. The legend of Quetzalcoatl is spoofed in the Adult Swim CGI series Xavier: Renegade Angel. Quetzalcoatl. Mythopedia, January 24, 2023. https://mythopedia.com/topics/quetzalcoatl. Feathered Serpent.Wikipedia. This man and woman had a son named Pilcetecli. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Over time, Quetzalcoatl's appearance, clothing, malevolent nature, and status among the gods were reshaped to fit a more Christian framework. Quetzalcatl's Flee - Pre Columbian Narrativas of Mesoamerica Codex Borgia, fol.19(Click on image to enlarge), Pic 10: Aztec stone sculpture of Xolotl, National Anthropology Museum, Mexico City (Wikipedia)(Click on image to enlarge), Pic 11: Quetzalcoatl-Ehcatl (upper-right). This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Quetzalcoatl, Ancient History Encyclopedia - Quetzalcoatl, Ancient Origins - Quetzalcoatl: From feathered serpent to creator God, Quetzalcatl - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Quetzalcatl - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. 1,800-Year-Old Botanical Offering to the Feathered Serpent The above image presents the solar maize god in the ball-court canoe, also called One Hunahpu, the father of the hero twins in the creation account. He never offered human victims, only snakes, birds, and butterflies. Quetzalcoatls role in the Aztec cosmology was complex and multifaceted. He often wore a conical cap made from the skin of the jaguar and a cloak made from the feathers of the quetzal bird. 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. Yet another version of this tale had Quetzalcoatl parting the sea and leading his followers in a march along the ocean floor. When the brothers separated the sky from the earth, they even turned into the trees that held the two apart, earnings the names of Quetzalhuxotl and Tezcacahuitl.Quetzalcoatls life-giving ability gave rise to many of the things around us. However, Quetzalcoatl had another invocation that would help Venus through the underworld as the Evening Star: Xolotl, the dog (pic 10). To both Teotihuacan and Maya cultures, Venus was in turn also symbolically connected with warfare.[21]. RhinoSpike : English Audio : The Aztecs Xolotl, the Evening StarTlahuizcalpentecuhtli could only guard the sun as it crossed the daytime sky. Quetzalcoatl Fact FileInterests: Saving the world (or making it), preserving life, cultivating knowledge and recognising beauty.Day Sign: WindTrecena (13 day week): 1 Jaguar. Meehan, E. (2023, January 24). But the god of the night sky, Tezcatlipoca, expelled him from Tula by performing feats of black magic. Did Motecuhzoma really think Corts was a god?The final twist in Quetzalcoatls story came with the arrival of the Spanish conquerors, who claimed that Corts was welcomed as the long-departed Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl who, in another story, did not kill himself but left on a long voyage over the ocean, promising one day to return. Ruler of the, Nicholson 2001, Carrasco 1982, Gillespie 1989, Florescano 2002, Lafaye 1987, Townsend 2003, Martnez 1980, Phelan 1970. By the time the Spanish arrived in the New World, Quetzalcoatl was regarded as the god of wind, patron of priests, and inventor of calendars and books. Human sacrifice in Aztec culture - Wikipedia At temples such as the aptly named "Quetzalcoatl temple" in the Ciudadela complex, feathered serpents figure prominently and alternate with a different kind of serpent head. Later, Xavier and the Aztecs summon Quetzalcoatl in his mortal form and wind up angering him after cutting him open. The Feathered Serpent deity common to much of Central America first appeared in images, statues, and carvings starting around 100BCE. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. quetzalcoatl offerings. Our proposal is XICOME: The Call of Quetzalcoatl, offering a message of peace and hope from Mexico and unify the Sacred Fires in an intercultural alliance with the Nations of England. As the morning star, he was known by the title Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, meaning "lord of the star of the dawn". Quetzalcatl ruled over the days that bore the name ehcatl (wind) and over the 18th 13-day series of the ritual calendar. Montezuma offering incense to Quetzalcoatl. [19] The most important center was Cholula, where the world's largest pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship. Meehan, Evan. Recipes and Ramblings From Life on the Farm [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]. He appears seated in Omnipotence City of the gods, where all major deities are located, during an announcement from leader of the gods, Zeus. https://mythopedia.com/topics/quetzalcoatl, Evan Meehan is a writer, researcher, and historian with an M.A. With this appendage he was able to sweep the roads clean before the arrival of the rain gods (pic 5). In the post-classic Nahua civilization of central Mexico (Aztec), the worship of Quetzalcoatl was ubiquitous. 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. . With this appendage he was able to sweep the roads clean before the arrival of the rain gods (pic 5). The rationale for Aztec human sacrifice was, first and foremost, a matter of survival. Members of this confederacy from Tlaxcala, Puebla, and Oaxaca provided the Spaniards with the army that first reclaimed the city of Cholula from its pro-Aztec ruling faction, and ultimately defeated the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan (Mexico City). Bird, Snake, Dog, Wind, Priest, Roadsweeper even Planet! Physical offerings include copal incense, feathers, Mexican chocolate, and shells. The first bat was born when Quetzalcoatl's semen dripped onto a rock while he was washing. Also known as: Ce Acatl, Ehcatl, Feathered Serpent, Kukulcn, One Reed. Super glue makers - a great job for Aztec children. Guess how many feathers went into making this shield? 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. With his companion Xolotl, a dog-headed god, he was said to have descended to the underground hell of Mictlan to gather the bones of the ancient dead. Among the Aztecs, it was related to wind, Venus, Sun, merchants, arts, crafts, knowledge, and learning. Ashamed of what he had done, Topilitzin-Quetzalcoatl departed Tula and set out for the sea. This article is about a Mesoamerican deity. The ruler Topiltzin-Quetzalcoatl (also known as One-Reed) was famous for his wise rule. In Xochicalco, depictions of the feathered serpent accompany the image of a seated, armed ruler and the hieroglyph for the day sign 9 Wind. Terry Pratchett,Eric(New York: Harper Collins Publisher, 1990), 63. Quetzalcoatl as depicted in the 16th-century Codex Borbonicus. ( Public Domain ) Lakes of mercury, jewel-eyed figures, solid-jade masks, and necklaces beaded with human teeth. Quetzalcoatl () is a deity in Aztec culture and literature. This image from the Codex Borgia (pic 9) shows Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli displaying the quincunx: five circles associated with Venus. Considered by some to be Quetzalcoatls double, assistant or twin, Xolotl aided Quetzalcoatl when he descended to the Mictlan to recover the bones of humankind. God of the Month: Quetzalcoatl - mexicolore.co.uk The Dragon and the Feathered Serpent: Quetzalcoatl and the - LinkedIn [8] In his form as the morning star, Venus, he is also depicted as a harpy eagle. It is uncertain what happened next. As the god of learning, of writing, and of books, Quetzalcatl was particularly venerated in the calmecac, religious colleges annexed to the temples, in which the future priests and the sons of the nobility were educated. He proceeded to turn himself into a black ant and followed the other ants over the mountains. [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. Quetzalcoatl | Definition, Myth, & Meaning | Britannica Quetzalcoatl | Encyclopedia MDPI Under the guise of wind, he was called Quetzalcoatl-Ehcatl and was considered a great cultural hero. With the immigration of Nahua-speaking tribes from the north, Quetzalcatls cult underwent drastic changes. 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. Art Hist. 1110 Flashcards | Quizlet [12] Feathered-serpent iconography is prominent at all of these sites. 89r(Click on image to enlarge), Pic 13: Bust of Quetzalcoatl, British Museum, Pic 14: Quetzalcoatl mask, British Museum(Click on image to enlarge). On the basis of the different symbolic systems used in portrayals of the feathered-serpent deity in different cultures and periods, scholars have interpreted the religious and symbolic meaning of the feathered-serpent deity in Mesoamerican cultures. 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. 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! Reduce heat to low. nuna revv stroller compatibility accounts krafton com claim best tasting menus toronto quetzalcoatl offerings. Xochiquetzal - Mythopedia On a lone voyage, he went to find the bones of the dead in the underworld, known as Mictlan. It is also suggested that he was a son of Xochiquetzal and Mixcoatl. Outside of Tenochtitln, the main centre of Quetzalcatls cult was Cholula, on the plateau region called Mesa Central. 23 - Pre Columbian Narratives. He is featured on the left in the upper and lower panels of the page. Representations of a feathered snake occur as early as the Teotihuacn civilization (3rd to 8th century ce) on the central plateau. A recurring feature in Quetzalcoatl-Ehcatls iconography is a conch chest ornament. His name became one of veneration. [20] Historian Enrique Florescano - also analyzing Teotihuacan iconography - argues that the Feathered Serpent was part of a triad of agricultural deities: The feathered serpent was furthermore connected to the planet Venus because of this planet's importance as a sign of the beginning of the rainy season. One night, Tezcatlipoca plied Topilitzin-Quetzalcoatl with pulque (an alcohol made from agave); afterwards, the drunken rulerslept with his celibate priestess sister. These writers may have misinterpreted a speech Moctezuma gave to Cortes, or simply invented the idea because it fit their historical expectations. Over the West presides the White Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl, the god of light, justice, mercy and wind. I wanted to do my due diligence and research and ask questions before taking that next step. Quetzalcoatl slithers along the border. Wikipedia contributors. (an as of yet unnamed species) were large creatures with enormous wingspans. Powers of the Aztec god Tezcatlipoca As one of the Aztec religion's main deities, Tezcatlipoca was thought to be extremely powerful. Xicome Peace Delegation from Mexico to England Ehcatl Quetzalcatl: attracting rain and fertility In Aztec mythology, he was the brother of Tezcatlipoca, Huitzilopochtli and Xipe Totec. After a long and difficult journey, Quetzalcoatl reached the maize and brought a kernel back to the Aztec people. However, this legend likely has a foundation in events that took place immediately prior to the arrival of the Spaniards. May Herz, The Legend of Maize Quetzalcoatl and the Corn PlantInside Mexico, May 10, 2017,https://www.inside-mexico.com/the-legend-of-maize/(accessed June 29, 2019). He was known as the inventor of books and the calendar, the giver of maize (corn) to mankind, and sometimes as a symbol of death and resurrection. The subsequent Toltec culture (9th through 12th centuries), centred at the city of Tula, emphasized war and human sacrifice linked with the worship of heavenly bodies. As the morning and evening star, Quetzalcatl was the symbol of death and resurrection. Each bout of fighting brought one of the four epochs of Aztec history to an end, ultimately ending with Tezcatlipoca in control of the fifth (and current) age. John Taylor,An Examination Into and an Elucidation of the Great Principle of the Mediation and Atonement: Of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ(Salt Lake City: Deseret News Publishing Co, 1892), 201. Meehan, Evan. Quetzalcoatl. The god Quetzalcoatl then descended to the underworld and retrieved the bones of former humans from the previous four eras. While not usually feathered, classic Maya serpent iconography seems[original research?] During this festival, Xochiquetzal was "honored with flower offerings, drinking, and . Being sacrificed on the leaning smoking mirror . In Nhuatl, the word Xolotl was often associated with the concept of twins and physical deformity, so statues of the deity often portray a dog with twin heads, or ragged ears and running sores. 116 (June 1884), 618. Under his guidance, the capital city of Tula became incredibly prosperous. stanley burrell marcy projects brooklyn The most common form of human sacrifice was heart-extraction. [47], In 1971 Tony Shearer published a book called Lord of the Dawn: Quetzalcoatl and the Tree of Life, inspiring New Age followers to visit Chichen Itza at the summer solstice when dragon-shaped shadows are cast by the Kulkulcan pyramid.[48]. Powers: As we know from stories of old, Quetzalcoatls physical powers and intelligence knew no bounds. Codex Maglabecchiano, fol. QUETZALCOATL was one of the most powerful and multifaceted gods in Mesoamerican religions. Quetzalcoatl.Wikipedia. (1), Toci - an aspect of the Great Mother Earth Goddess, Pic 1: Re-creation of mural at Cacaxtla. As one of the four sons of the Aztec creator deities Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, Quetzalcoatl played an integral role in the creation of the universe. Quetzalcoatl has appeared in Final Fantasy VIII, XII, and XV, as well as the Final Fantasy trading card game. The Editors of Encyclopdia Britannica. Quetzalcoatl appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Thor: Love and Thunder. Quetzalcoatl was the third son of the dual creator godOmeteotl. quetzalcoatl offerings - morris-industrial.com Quetzalcoatls name, which means Feathered Serpent, was derived from the Nahuatl words for thequetzal birdand coatl, meaning serpent. 2022 Wasai LLC. He was a patron of many crafts such as writing, and metal and stone work and represented workers of these crafts. In this legend, Mixcoatl shot at Chimalma for spurning his advances. 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. Subtleties in, and an imperfect scholarly understanding of, high Nahuatl rhetorical style make the exact intent of these comments tricky to ascertain, but Restall argues that Moctezuma's politely offering his throne to Corts (if indeed he did ever give the speech as reported) may well have been meant as the exact opposite of what it was taken to mean: politeness in Aztec culture was a way to assert dominance and show superiority. 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. 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. [43] In a 1986 paper for Sunstone, he noted that during the Spanish Conquest, the Native Americans and the Catholic priests who sympathized with them felt pressure to link Native American beliefs with Christianity, thus making the Native Americans seem more human and less savage. Moctezuma sent a gift of food and the ceremonial clothing of four gods (one set of which belonged to Quetzalcoatl) to the newcomers, presumably to ascertain their true intentions. In an effort to further trick Mictlantecuhtli, Quetzalcoatl told him that he would leave Mictlan without the bones. Xochiquetzal: A Complete Guide to the Aztec Goddess (2022) But the god of the night sky, Tezcatlipoca, expelled him from Tula by performing feats of black magic. Quetzalcoatl would permit no human offerings in his name. According to sixteenth century friar Bernadino de Sahagn and his native informants, he also presided over 1 Reed. Codex Maglabechiano, fol. Top-ranking priests from Tenochtitlan were awarded the name of Quetzalcoatl, and Aztec leaders, upon coming into power, were obliged to first worship at the temple at Cholula (Florescano 2001, p.237). The gods ground these bones into a meal flour, and then let their own blood drip onto it to create a new race of people. According to Aztec cosmology, the sun god Huitzilopochtli was waging a constant war against darkness, and if .
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