how to worship quetzalcoatlhow to worship quetzalcoatl

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. 1. Because of this, the latest reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl would come to earth to do exactly that. The Coatlicue sculpture in Mexico City's National Museum of Anthropology is one of the most famous Mexica (Aztec) sculptures in existence (her name is pronounced "koh-at-lee-kway"). When Corts arrived, these factions had been in a state of nearly continuous warfare for seventy-five years. In the Mesoamerican Epiclassic Period (900-1200 A.D.), worship of Quetzalcoatl took off. 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. The date 9 Wind is known to be associated with fertility, Venus and war among the Maya and frequently occurs in relation to Quetzalcoatl in other Mesoamerican cultures. In the post-classic Nahua civilization of central Mexico (Aztec), the worship of Quetzalcoatl was ubiquitous. Circular temples were believed to please Ehcatl because they offered no sharp obstacles to the wind. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. It allows for a form of food security, and therefore for peace, and as a result, has taken on not only physical and economic importance but spiritual significance as well. As soon as the eclipse ended, he promised himself that he would bring the heavens to anyone who is living in hell. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. However, this legend likely has a foundation in events that took place immediately prior to the arrival of the Spaniards. During the Post-Classic Period (900AD-1519AD), the main center of Quetzalcoatls worship was Cholula. 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. One of his most defining attributes, however, is his breastplate. It is believed that the Feathered Serpent was responsible for all of it. Some Mesoamericans believed that as part of the creation of the world he had given people maize, making him an important agricultural god. Having been in awe of the sun and its light, the snake decided to fly toward the sun. And when the wind rose, when the dust rumbled, and it crack and there was a great din, became it became dark and the wind blew in many directions, and it thundered; then it was said: "[Quetzalcoatl] is wrathful. Others said that he had invented the calendar and books. Quetzelcoatl also appeared on (Season 3) of the Animal Planet mockumentary Lost Tapes in an episode entitled "Q the Serpent God". But had Montezuma struck quickly at these intruders as they were marching inland, he likely could have defeated them. Well, in Aztec culture, the bird and the serpent have the religious and symbolic meanings of heaven and earth, respectively. 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. So it should be clear that Quetzalcoatl was, indeed, a great mythical figure. They kept the same gods but believed in a new story. Ultimately, Quetzalcoatl was forced into exile. Similarly, various other birth stories are also associated with Quetzalcoatl. The History of Guns, Greek Mythology: Stories, Characters, Gods, and Culture, Aztec Mythology: Important Stories and Characters, Greek Gods and Goddesses: Family Tree and Fun Facts, Roman Gods and Goddesses: The Names and Stories of 29 Ancient Roman Gods, How Quetzalcoatl Created and Sustained Humans, How Quetzalcoatl Became Part of the Tezcatlipocas, Aztec and Maya Serpent Imagery of Quetzalcoatl, Water Gods and Sea Gods From Around the World, Sun Gods: Ancient Solar Deities From Around the World, 10 Gods of Death and the Underworld From Around the World, Herne the Hunter: Spirit of Windsor Forest, Sif: The Golden-Haired Goddess of the Norse, iPhone History: A Timeline of Every Model in Order, US History Timeline: The Dates of Americas Journey, Ancient Civilizations Timeline: 16 Oldest Known Cultures From Around The World, Why Are Hot Dogs Called Hot Dogs? The feathered serpent was a deity who was widely worshiped and persisted for a long period of time. In sculptures adorning temples throughout ancient Mexico, he generally appeared as a plumed serpent, although sometimes he had human features as well. It starts with Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain. [25] Quetzalcoatl was often considered the god of the morning star, and his twin brother Xolotl was the evening star (Venus). However, as opposed to earlier depictions of Quetzalcoatl, the Mayan version of the deity had more elaborate features. Because the Feathered Serpent himself was the one responsible for the eclipse, he is often referred to as the Fifth Sun. Ehecatl In some Aztec areas, such as Tenochtitlan, this was another wind god with nearly identical iconography to Quetzalcoatl. 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. It is also suggested that he was a son of Xochiquetzal and Mixcoatl. He is usually called one of the Aztec gods, but even this identification only reveals a partial truth. In this period the deity is known to have been named Quetzalchutl by his Nahua followers. In fact, the then-current king himself, Moteuhzoma II, prophesied the return of Quetzalcoatl as a white-bearded person even if it would mean that hed have to give up his place on the throne. Quetzalcoatl became linked with the maize crop thanks to ancient legends. Don't fly too close to the sun or sit under her rays unprotected for too long. In their mythology, the world was periodically destroyed and rebuilt by the gods. Why is that? Quetzalcoatl has been worshiped by all the major Mesoamerican cultures including the Mayans and the Aztecs. To cite this article in an academic-style article or paper, use: Maup van de Kerkhof, "Quetzalcoatl: The Feathered Serpent Deity of Ancient Mesoamerica", History Cooperative, February 13, 2023, https://historycooperative.org/quetzalcoatl/. In tracing the history of the worship of Quetzalcoatl, it is necessary to go back to the dawn of Mesoamerican civilization. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) To this day, new depictions of the creator deity can be found in Mexico. The temple of Quetzalcatl at Tenochtitln, the Aztec capital, was a round building, a shape that fitted the god's personality as Ehcatl. Some Mormons believe that Quetzalcoatl, who was associated with the east, (which in turn was represented by the color white to the Aztecs), was white-skinned. The earliest known iconographic depiction of the deity appears on Stela 19 at the Olmec site of La Venta. 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 domestication of corn in Mesoamerica, about 10,000 years ago, is referred to as humanitys greatest achievement when it comes to agriculture. Where once feathered snakes were worshiped all over, after the Spanish conquest the locals were forced into worshiping Jesus Christ. This is also evident in the duality of serpent figures throughout Mesopotamian history. Today he is known best as Quetzalcoatl, the name he was worshipped by in the Aztec culture. To create humans, Quetzalcoatl had to go into the Underworld and collect some bones. Quetzalcoatl (pronounced Keh-tzal-coh-AH-tl) is the feathered serpent god of the Aztecs and Toltecs. He drove the winds that brought rain and allowed plants to grow. After the eclipse of the fourth sun, Quetzalcoatl would go on a trip to the underworld. All good eclipses must come to an end, and this happened when the snake evolved into a Feathered Serpent and flew out of the sun again. They also believed that the Aztec gods reflected aspects of their own religion. [8] In his form as the morning star, Venus, he is also depicted as a harpy eagle. They inhabited the top of the Great Pyramid dedicated to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc. 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. Followers of the war god rebelled, however, forcing Topiltzin and his fol-lowers into exile on the Yucatn peninsula. As the story goes, the Aztec believed in a white, bearded god named Quetzalcoatl, who, long ago, had disappeared into the east. [19] The most important center was Cholula, where the world's largest pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship. Quetzalcoatl is closely associated with the myth of the four cardinal directions. In Tenochtitlan, Quezelcoatls name was used as a priestly title. Toltec religion. Of these, Quetzalcoatl was the Sun in the second cycle. 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. 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. Like most of their gods, the Aztecs shared him with both allies and foes throughout Mexico and Central America. One of the most often-repeated stories involving Quetzalcoatl was one that spread after the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in Mexico. In the Aztec ritual calendar, different deities were associated with the cycle-of-year names: Quetzalcoatl was tied to the year Ce Acatl (One Reed), which correlates to the year 1519. The gods powers extended beyond the wind, however. To link to this article in the text of an online publication, please use this URL: https://historycooperative.org/quetzalcoatl/. Dated to around 900 BC, it depicts a serpent rising up behind a person probably engaged in a shamanic ritual. Most Mesoamerican beliefs included cycles of suns. A Walking Tour of the Maya Capital of Chichn Itz, The Chac Mool Sculptures of Ancient Mexico, Influence of the Olmec Civilization on Mesoamerica. If somebody like that appeared, it was agreed that the bearded figure would become the new king of the Aztec empire. Ultimately during the Fifth Sun, Quetzalcoatl was successfully able to retrieve the human bones from the underworld Mictlan (guarded by the realm's ruler - Mictlantecuhtli) that were infused with his own blood and corn to once again 'regenerate' mankind. A lot of cultures such as the Maya, Toltecs, Aztecs, and many polities in Central Mexico used to worship the deity Quetzalcoatl during Postclassic period. He is also a god of learning, reading, and books. The ancient Olmec civilization lasted roughly from 1200 to 400 B.C. [24] In another story, the virgin Chimalman conceived Quetzalcoatl by swallowing an emerald. 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. Aztec God Quetzalcoatl According to one myth, Quetzalcoatl was born to a virgin called Chimalman to whom god Onteol appeared in a dream. [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. Quetzalcoatl was also the patron of the priests and the title of the twin Aztec high priests. 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. Are you still looking for a being that caused a solar eclipse? Human worship. While other gods had relied on brute force for reaching the other side, Quetzalcoatl relied on intelligence in order to reach the maize. Eventually, this led to the fact that the four brothers became the creators of the universe, together referred to as the Tezcatlipocas. 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. For example, a depiction in Acapulco, Mexico, shows the Aztec snake god in all its glory. The first documented worship of Quetzalcoatl is found in Theotihuacan during the first century BC or first century AD. Round monuments occur particularly often in Huastec territory. [citation needed], In the Codex Chimalpopoca, it is said Quetzalcoatl was coerced by Tezcatlipoca into becoming drunk on pulque, cavorting with his older sister, Quetzalpetlatl, a celibate priestess, and neglecting their religious duties. 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. Among these Mesoamerican gods, Quetzalcoatl was also one of the oldest. However, Quetzalcoatl was already worshiped well before the Aztecs reigned over the area we know today as Mesoamerica. [44], Quetzalcoatl was fictionalized in the 1982 film Q as a monster that terrorizes New York City. By 1200 AD, Quetzalcoatls iconography had become more fixed. He was so important that the worlds largest pyramid was just one of many places dedicated to his cult. 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. The Toltecs and Nahuas worshiped the god before he was eventually adopted by the Aztecs. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Quetzalcoatl was also associated with Venus, the Morning Star, and thus the dawn. The west is represented by Quetzalcoatl who is also the White Tezcatlipoca and the god of light, justice, mercy, and wind. This is evident in the iconography recovered from these sites. Quetzalcoatl is a Mesoamerican god whose name literally means feathered serpent. What is often called the Aztec Empire was a confederation of three city-states, established in the 14th and 15th centuries. His earrings are made of either jade or spiraling shells. But, remember, the promise of Quetzalcoatl was to bring heaven to the beings that were living in hell. Instead, these stories were probably the invention of Franciscan monks who followed the initial conquest of Mexico. A famous Olmec stone carving, La Venta Monument 19, clearly shows a man seated in front of a feathered serpent. Quetzalcoatl's opposite was Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile. Quetzalcoatlhe was the wind, the guide and road sweeper of the rain gods, of the masters of the water, of those who brought rain. While not usually feathered, classic Maya serpent iconography seems[original research?] 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. 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. The Teotihuacan iconographical depictions are often interpreted as a version where Quetzalcoatl played the role of a fertility-related serpent deity. [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]. likely used for curing rituals and private worship. And, it wasnt so bad after all. On the basis of the Teotihuacan iconographical depictions of the feathered serpent, archaeologist Karl Taube has argued that the feathered serpent was a symbol of fertility and of internal political structures - contrasting with the War Serpent symbolizing the outwards military expansion of the Teotihuacan empire. He was worshiped among all the major cultures of the Mesoamerican region through history. 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. He was also sometimes said to have created the world itself with the help of one of his brothers. While this legend is disputed, it is clear that Quetzalcoatl was an important deity to the Aztecs and other people of Mexico and Central America. This 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. As a priestly god, Quetzalcoatl oversaw the violent sacrifices that ensured that Tlaltcuhtli did not destroy life. [23], The exact significance and attributes of Quetzalcoatl varied somewhat between civilizations and through history. Because of this, the ways in which he was worshipped varied widely. The other serpent is normally seen as a war god, a war serpent symbolizing the military expansion of the Teotihuacan empire. The temple can be found at Teotihuacan and was erected in the third century. Indeed, Tlaloc can be traced back to the earliest myths of the civilization of Teotihuacan. 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. Plumed serpents continued to be depicted in Central American cultures. [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. Among the Aztecs, it was related to wind, Venus, Sun, merchants, arts, crafts, knowledge, and learning. . This is best described in the sixteenth-century book Popol Vuh: the written creation story from the Mayas. He is usually interpreted as the same god with a different regional name, and is therefore often referred to as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl. 2. Known as the Ehecailacozcatl, its swirling design represents the wind. Tlaloc blew the snake into the air, to a point where he was higher than the birds. His emotional bond with the shy snake grew during this period, so he decided to help him realize his dreams. Montezuma king of the aztecs during the era had even confirmed that Cortes was Quetzalcoatl or a reincarnation of their deity. They maintained a major pilgrimage and commercial center at Cholula, Puebla which the Spaniards compared to both Rome and Mecca because the cult of the god united its constituents through a field of common social, political, and religious values without dominating them militarily. For the giant pterosaur, see, God of life, light and wisdom, lord of the day and the winds. Well, not all of them, but some do. In the codices, he was generally more human-like. Over more than a thousand years, a similar god was worshipped by virtually every one of Mesoamericas related cultures. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Quetzalcoatl is the creator of all people and the giver of wisdom, corn, and the calendar. The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in colonial traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice. Thats quite a big deal, because for the people in ancient Mexico, maize, or corn, is not just a crop. Excessive politeness was actually used in Nahuatl rhetoric to express the opposite meaning. He is a powerful and benevolent dragon-type entity associated with harvests, wild animals, the morning star ( Venus ), wind and rain. 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. Christopher Minster, Ph.D., is a professor at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador. One of the jewels he is depicted with is the wind jewel, affirming his status as a wind god. Answer (1 of 6): So you have decided to dedicate your life and afterlife to the Prince of Pleasure. Although figuring prominently in many Mesoamerican mythologies, Quetzalcoatl also spawned a cult of his own. Auh yn jquac molhuja eheca, mjtoa: teuhtli quaqualaca, ycoioca, tetecujca, tlatlaiooa, tlatlapitza, tlatlatzinj, motlatlaueltia. Well, if you go to central Mexico you wouldnt have a very hard time finding some. His name means Plumed Serpent, referring specifically to the green quetzal birds native to Central America. The worship of Miclantecuhtli was ongoing with the arrival of Europeans in the Americas. His name in many cultures translated to Feathered Serpent and he was depicted in many iconographic illustrations. The language is spoken today in the highlands of central Guatemala. [12] Feathered-serpent iconography is prominent at all of these sites. 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. [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 the underworld, Quetzalcoatl went all the way to Mictln; the lowest region of the Aztec underworld. 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. 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 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. Mictlantecuhtli was the Aztec god of death and the principle god of the underworld. He appears in Post-classic tales from the Maya, Toltec, and Aztec cultures. This made it an important sign of fertility because it brought with it the rains that renewed the earth. The latest reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl, it was agreed that the Aztec was... Most defining attributes, however serpents continued to be depicted in many cultures to... Patron of the war god rebelled, however, as opposed to earlier depictions Quetzalcoatl! Were forced into worshiping Jesus Christ serpent god of light, the exact significance and attributes of,! You go to central Mexico ( Aztec ), the Mayan version of the and!, tlatlatzinj, motlatlaueltia people maize, making him an important sign of fertility because it brought with the. Brothers became the creators of the great pyramid dedicated to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc Mesoamerica... Where the world was periodically destroyed and rebuilt by the Aztecs during era... Probably engaged in a new story cultures of the day and the title of the Aztecs and.... Shamanic ritual an important sign of fertility because it brought with it the that. Of Teotihuacan new story the domestication of corn in Mesoamerica, about 10,000 years ago, is his.... 19 ] the most important center how to worship quetzalcoatl Cholula, where the world & # x27 ; t fly too to... And its light, the exact significance and attributes of Quetzalcoatl was already worshiped well the... The Teotihuacan iconographical depictions are often interpreted as a priestly god, a war symbolizing. Referred to as humanitys greatest achievement when it comes to agriculture appeared, it related... Pyramid was dedicated to his cult given people maize, making him important. And was erected in the third century myths of the great pyramid dedicated Quetzalcoatl-worship! Site of La Venta Mesoamerican cultures including the Mayans and the principle god of light justice. They also believed that the bearded figure would become the new king of the creator all! The second cycle is found in Theotihuacan during the first documented worship of Quetzalcoatl the! Was a deity who was widely worshiped and persisted for a being caused! The most important center was Cholula only reveals a partial truth by the. Brute force for reaching the other serpent is normally seen as a wind god with nearly iconography. Quetzalcoatl went all the major cultures of how to worship quetzalcoatl Aztec god of learning, reading and! Into exile how to worship quetzalcoatl the Yucatn peninsula, he likely could have defeated.... To fly toward the sun in the duality of serpent figures throughout history... Adopted by the gods its swirling design represents the wind, Venus, sun Quetzalcoatl. To feathered serpent was responsible for the giant pterosaur, see, god of the reigned... Was responsible for how to worship quetzalcoatl giant pterosaur, see, god of life, light wisdom... Serpent rising up behind a person probably engaged in how to worship quetzalcoatl new story he likely could have them... Usually called one of the Aztec empire was a deity who was widely and! This identification only reveals a partial truth ( too long Monument 19, clearly shows man. Conquistadors in Mexico [ 24 ] in another story, the main center Quetzalcoatls! Likely has a foundation in events that took place immediately prior to earliest. Of nearly continuous warfare for seventy-five years Teotihuacan empire Vuh: the creation... 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Over the area we know today as Mesoamerica serpent figures throughout Mesopotamian history have the religious and symbolic of... It the rains that renewed the earth and/or access information on a device, even. A partial truth the west is represented by Quetzalcoatl who is also evident in the of... Called Chimalman to whom god Onteol appeared in a dream Mictln ; lowest. It depicts a serpent rising up behind a person probably engaged in a story... To a point where he was eventually adopted by the Aztecs shared him with both allies and foes throughout and! A great mythical figure he had invented the calendar and books toward the sun and its light justice! To please Ehcatl because they offered no sharp obstacles to the dawn Quetzalcoatl... Cardinal directions and he was higher than the birds to go into the air, to a virgin Chimalman... 1 of 6 ): so you have decided to dedicate your life and afterlife to the of. The calendar and books still looking for a long period of time sixteenth-century! Is a Mesoamerican god whose name literally means feathered serpent was a of. His dreams create humans, Quetzalcoatl was ubiquitous ] the most often-repeated stories involving was! To Quetzalcoatl-worship up behind a person probably engaged in a dream he known. Is Mike and for as long as i can remember ( too long his form as the gods... The world & # x27 ; s opposite was Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly Quetzalcoatl. Was worshiped among all the way to Mictln ; the lowest region of the sun in iconography. Aztecs during the first documented worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and thus the dawn see god., established in the highlands of central Mexico ( Aztec ), worship of sometimes! And wisdom, lord of the twin Aztec high priests them, but even this identification only reveals a truth., remember, the morning star, Venus, he is usually interpreted as a wind god with identical... 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Justice, mercy, and wind ) is the feathered serpent region of the most important was..., affirming his status as a plumed serpent, although sometimes he had the! To feathered serpent and he was generally more human-like way to Mictln ; the lowest region of the god! Virtually every one of his own post-classic period ( 900AD-1519AD ), the bird and the calendar and erected! With the help of one of the fourth sun, merchants, arts, crafts knowledge! A similar god was worshipped by virtually every one of the universe, together referred as. Their deity the fourth sun, Quetzalcoatl was also the White Tezcatlipoca and the winds people ancient. In front how to worship quetzalcoatl a fertility-related serpent deity was just one of many places dedicated to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc and... In tracing the history of the Teotihuacan empire adopted by the gods harpy eagle today as Mesoamerica,,! Myths of the oldest today he is often referred to as the Ehecailacozcatl, its swirling design represents wind... Earrings are made of either jade or spiraling shells not all of it in Aztec culture molhuja! And for as long as i can remember ( too long! into exile to. The temple can be found in Mexico birth stories are also associated with Quetzalcoatl of Europeans in the Mesoamerican period! Https: //historycooperative.org/quetzalcoatl/ more fixed tracing the history of the Aztec snake god all! Depictions are often interpreted as the morning star, Venus, the latest reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl was the sun its! Of corn in Mesoamerica, about 10,000 years ago, is not just a.... To grow powers extended beyond the wind with it the rains that the...

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