The story that has been passed down says that after throwing himself into fire Quetzalcoatl was destined to return one day. Similar gods would be used to represent the balance of two opposite powers. He was a creator deity having contributed essentially to the creation of mankind. 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. Mayans had deities with feathered serpent as their names. The story of how the ordinary Quetzalcoatl became one of the heavenly brothers goes as followed. In some areas, however, it was believed that Quetzalcoatl opposed such sacrifices. The eclipse that was caused by the birth of Quetzalcoatl is believed to be the fifth eclipse to ever happen. He was worshiped among all the major cultures of the Mesoamerican region through history. 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. 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. Well, in Aztec culture, the bird and the serpent have the religious and symbolic meanings of heaven and earth, respectively. He is usually interpreted as the same god with a different regional name, and is therefore often referred to as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl. 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. His earrings are made of either jade or spiraling shells. He sometimes carries flowers or sacrificial tools. He used his own blood from wounds he inflicted on himself to give life to the bones and create mankind. There is no question that the legend of Quetzalcoatl played a significant role in the colonial period. 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. and they were greatly influential on all subsequent ones. 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. Quetzalcoatl stole the bones from the Underworld, taking great risks and evading many traps to bring them to the surface. 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. By adding a bit of his own blood, he allowed a new civilization to emerge. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The Origin of Hotdogs, The History of Boracay Island in The Philippines. Quetzalcoatl was variously assigned the role of a creator, of the patron deity of the priests as in the Aztec culture, of the embodiment of the cosmos as in the Mayan culture and generally as a god of fertility. The image of a feathered serpent was often paired with one that represented war and destruction. Have you ever eaten blue, white, black, or red corn? 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. The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in colonial traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice. He also encouraged them to worship a different god, Quetzalcoatl (kehtsahlkoh AHT uhl), or the Feathered Serpent. This, too, was a prophecy about what his next reincarnation would look like. Quetzalcoatl, or "Feathered Serpent," was an important god to the ancient people of Mesoamerica. The floods, too, caused great disaster to the earth in general. This is what you have to look forward to- Initially, you will notice that you can find pleasure in new and sometimes bizarre places. Therefore, deities that were related to the more violent realms also became more important. Quetzalcoatl went to Mictlan, the underworld, and created fifth-world mankind from the bones of the previous races (with the help of Cihuacoatl), using his own blood, from a wound he inflicted on his earlobes, calves, tongue, and penis, to imbue the bones with new life. Quetzalcoatl had aspects in which he functioned as other gods. In these instances, he is often seen wearing a lot of jewelry and some form of a hat. There was one way that would certainly work, namely by letting it rain so abundantly that the snake simply drifted out of the cave. Over time, Quetzalcoatl's appearance, clothing, malevolent nature, and status among the gods were reshaped to fit a more Christian framework. [14], The name Quetzalcoatl comes from the Nahuatl language and means "Precious serpent" or "Quetzal-feathered Serpent". [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. 1. The Nahua largely spoke dialects of the same language, Nahuatl, which helped to unify their culture. In one version of this story, he and his brother Tezcatlipota warred over the earth, destroying it four times before ending their feud. When Cortes and his crew of Spaniards came ashore in Mexico in 1519, many thought they were gods. The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and in other traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice. One of the supreme existences in North and Central America WP as well as in Aztec Mythology WP. Quetzalcoatl's opposite was Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile. 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. Each represented a color and a cardinal direction, with Quetzalcoatl being the only god that wasnt related to war or human sacrifice. Some legends describe him as opposed to human sacrifice[26] while others describe him practicing it.[27][28]. He took his companion Xolotl, a dog-headed god, with him. The worship of this deity has been traced back to as early as the first century BC. Getting the snake out of the cave had been Tlalocs only objective for months on end. One of these groups centered around the city of Cholula, where the great pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl. [22], To the Aztecs, Quetzalcoatl was, as his name indicates, a feathered serpent. For the ancient and contemporary people of Mexico, corn is not just your average crop. The next morning, Quetzalcoatl, feeling shame and regret, had his servants build him a stone chest, adorn him in turquoise, and then, laying in the chest, set himself on fire. [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. 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 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. These, then, are the people that still inhabit the world. Chichen Itza is famous for its Temple of Kukulcn, which was their name for Quetzalcoatl. In his form as Ehecatl he is the wind, and is represented by spider monkeys, ducks, and the wind itself. He was also associated with the creation of mankind, so he also possibly occupied the role of creator in the Aztec mythology. Quetzalcoatl became linked with the maize crop thanks to ancient legends. 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. [7] Animals thought to represent Quetzalcoatl include resplendent quetzals, rattlesnakes (coatl meaning "serpent" in Nahuatl), crows, and macaws. Although early images had shown a serpent, by the classical period of Aztec culture Quetzalcoatl was more often shown with a human body. By 1200 AD, Quetzalcoatls iconography had become more fixed. Furthermore, he saw the Quetzal birds flying in the sky, which was also something he had never seen before. Alternatively, he left willingly on a raft of snakes, promising to return. One of the jewels he is depicted with is the wind jewel, affirming his status as a wind god. The cult even spread down into the Maya lands. 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. Of course, the odd one out sparked the interest of Tlaloc. Some Mesoamericans believed that as part of the creation of the world he had given people maize, making him an important agricultural god. ThoughtCo. Spanish writers of the 16th century claimed that Hernn Corts was hailed as the reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl when he arrived in Mexico in 1519. Represented as the plumed serpent, Quetzalcoatl was also seen as manifest in the wind, one of the most powerful forces of nature; a text in the Nahuatl language captures this relationship: Quetzalcoatl; yn ehecatl ynteiacancauh yntlachpancauh in tlaloque, yn aoaque, yn qujqujiauhti. Even today, however, Nahuatl is just one of sixty-three native languages recognized in Mexico. But had Montezuma struck quickly at these intruders as they were marching inland, he likely could have defeated them. Most probably, this would represent another serpent deity by the name of Huitzilopochtli. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. On the other hand, the snake was considered a vital instrument to help bring visions from the underworld to the Mayan kings. Christopher Minster, Ph.D., is a professor at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador. Well, if you go to central Mexico you wouldnt have a very hard time finding some. In fact, he flew straight into it, leading to a total eclipse. Quetzalcoatl became, in fact, the very title of the most important priests: the twin Aztec High Priests. These languages existed in the Aztec era and were joined by many that still exist in other Central American countries and those that have become extinct. In the Mesoamerican Epiclassic Period (900-1200 A.D.), worship of Quetzalcoatl took off. As the story goes, the Aztec believed in a white, bearded god named Quetzalcoatl, who, long ago, had disappeared into the east. 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. One of his most defining attributes, however, is his breastplate. In Aztec culture, this was considered to be one of the most important primal forces. To create humans, Quetzalcoatl had to go into the Underworld and collect some bones. Indeed, Quetzalcoatl was born. Mesoamerican deities often functioned in duality. 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). ; (2) a god of the winds, the sun, and the planet Venus; (3) the cultural hero and expected "messiah" of the pre-Columbian Mexicans; and (4) a god-hero who served as patron of the arts . Ruler of the, Nicholson 2001, Carrasco 1982, Gillespie 1989, Florescano 2002, Lafaye 1987, Townsend 2003, Martnez 1980, Phelan 1970. The trip was far from easy, but Quetzalcoatl was able to complete it. [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. Venus, which the god was closely associated with, appeared in the sky at the beginning of the rainy season. As soon as the eclipse ended, he promised himself that he would bring the heavens to anyone who is living in hell. Other than Teotihuacn, large worship places can be found in Xochicalco and Cacaxtla. [8] In his form as the morning star, Venus, he is also depicted as a harpy eagle. 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. 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. Colonial documentary sources from the Maya area frequently speak of the arrival of foreigners from the central Mexican plateau, often led by a man whose name translates as "Feathered Serpent". Tlaloc we already know. Quetzalcoatl was a deity which was a part of the pantheon of most Mesoamerican civilisations. 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 temple can be found at Teotihuacan and was erected in the third century. At one hand, Mayans considered a snake as the embodiment of the cosmos. 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. 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. Here, our plumed serpent gathered the bones of all the previous races that walked the earth. 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. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. [38] Some Franciscans at this time held millennarian beliefs[39] and some of them believed that Corts' coming to the New World ushered in the final era of evangelization before the coming of the millennium. Profile [] Identity []. Remember, he has already been deemed a god. This didnt help a lot to overcome their cruel intentions, however. The earliest known iconographic depiction of the deity appears on Stela 19 at the Olmec site of La Venta. "9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl." 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. Today he is known best as Quetzalcoatl, the name he was worshipped by in the Aztec culture. The Aztecs werent a big fan of chronological order and shook up the world of the gods. In some versions of the ancient Mesoamerican histories, Quetzalcoatl was reborn as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli after being burned on a funeral pyre. Quetzalcoatl appears in many ancient Mesoamerican codices, sculptures and reliefs. (Restall 2001 p. 114)[full citation needed]. Cortes continued to play the role of Quetzalcoatl for many years and eventually impacted others to convert. But even things of an extremely mundane nature like s. That is, according to the Aztecs. 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. "[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. The Aztecs, however, were only a small segment of the regions people. Instead, these stories were probably the invention of Franciscan monks who followed the initial conquest of Mexico. The meaning of his name is "Winged Serpent" or "Feathered Serpent". Among the Aztecs, it was related to wind, Venus, Sun, merchants, arts, crafts, knowledge, and learning. Carrasco's work was revised in 2000, and the new edition provides a valuable overview of the controversy about Cortes and Quetzalcoatl. To both Teotihuacan and Maya cultures, Venus was in turn also symbolically connected with warfare.[21]. Although some Mesoamericans believed that Quetzalcoatl did not enjoy human sacrifices, others believed that his creation myth demanded them. 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. Because there were so many languages and ethnic groups in Mesoamerica, their gods went by many names. Like many other Mesoamerican deities, the story of our god sees several reincarnations. 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. To link to this article in the text of an online publication, please use this URL: https://historycooperative.org/quetzalcoatl/. He appears in Post-classic tales from the Maya, Toltec, and Aztec cultures. Different versions of the birth of god are prevalent in Mesoamerican mythology. If somebody like that appeared, it was agreed that the bearded figure would become the new king of the Aztec empire. 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. The attributes of Quetzalcoatl varied in different cultures of Mesoamerica during different eras. 2. The Aztecs believed that they lived in the fifth age of creation and that Quetzalcoatl had gone to the Underworld to retrieve the bones of previous generations to create the modern race of man. As shown by his spiral jewel, Quetzalcoatl was a god of wind. Historians debate to what degree, or whether at all, these narratives about this legendary Toltec ruler describe historical events. He would submerge himself in a highly flammable substance and set himself on fire, granting himself a place amongst the stars. In Aztec culture, depictions of Quetzalcoatl were fully anthropomorphic. 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. This betterment meant something different with every new installment, which explains why many Aztec deities are related to different realms. 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. Having been in awe of the sun and its light, the snake decided to fly toward the sun. He was a god of wind, culture, knowledge, and creation. ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/facts-about-quetzalcoatl-2136322. Over the West presides the White Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl, the god of light, justice, mercy and wind. Along with one of his brothers, he was instructed by his parents to create the world six hundred years after his birth. A young woman would be dressed as Xochiquetzal before being beheaded and flayed. What a conundrum. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He wouldnt become the new Aztec ruler, however. [12] Feathered-serpent iconography is prominent at all of these sites. The two priests came to their position after living an exemplary life, with pure and compassionate hearts. 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. In Mesoamerican history, many different ethnopolitical groups worshiped a feathered-serpent deity. While in his own story, this was not all too literal, his actions that followed were actually the literal interpretation of his promise. READ MORE: Sun Gods: Ancient Solar Deities From Around the World. This made crops grow and brought water for drinking. The Name Quetzalcoatl [45][46] The deity has been featured as a character in the manga and anime series Yu-Gi-Oh! [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]. Mason-Dixon Line A male priest would then take the goddess's place, wearing the sacrifice's skin. "9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl." [9] In Mazatec legends the astrologer deity Tlahuizcalpanteuctli, who is also represented by Venus, bears a close relationship with Quetzalcoatl. [12] In the Postclassic period (9001519AD), the worship of the feathered-serpent deity centered in the primary Mexican religious center of Cholula. Also, the Quetzalcoatl mural had quite a bit to do with internal peace in society. 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. ", "Method and Skepticism (and Quetzalcoatl)", "Quetzalcoatl, the Maya maize god and Jesus Christ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Quetzalcoatl&oldid=1141156375, Supernatural beings identified with Christian saints, Articles containing Classical Nahuatl-language text, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles having different image on Wikidata and Wikipedia, Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from August 2019, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2019, Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from June 2021, All articles that may contain original research, Articles that may contain original research from June 2021, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2012, Articles with incomplete citations from April 2020, Articles with Spanish-language sources (es), Articles with sources in Nahuatl languages (nah), Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, White Tecatlipoca, Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl, Feathered Serpent, Precious Twin, Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, Tlaloc, god of rain, lightning and thunder, the feathered serpent, god of vegetational renewal, This page was last edited on 23 February 2023, at 17:09. When Corts arrived, these factions had been in a state of nearly continuous warfare for seventy-five years. While Quetzacoatl is one of the most well-known gods of ancient Mexico, he is often misunderstood. Each age of the world was given a new sun, and the world was on its Fifth Sun, having been destroyed four times previously. 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. Over more than a thousand years, a similar god was worshipped by virtually every one of Mesoamericas related cultures. As a wind god, he was also responsible for making the rain fall. In a version of the myth, Quetzalcoatl was born by a virgin named Chimalman, to whom the god Ometeotl appeared in a dream. 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. Later, Xavier and the Aztecs summon Quetzalcoatl in his mortal form and wind up angering him after cutting him open. Don't fly too close to the sun or sit under her rays unprotected for too long. Excessive politeness was actually used in Nahuatl rhetoric to express the opposite meaning. After only a couple of years, the Aztec empire ended due to a combination of foreign diseases and diplomacy. The famous Pyramid of the Niches at El Tajin is believed by many to be dedicated to Quetzalcoatl, and the many ball courts there also suggest that his cult was important. He would sit at a loom and weave, or at least pretend to, while worshippers danced around him. A feathered serpent deity, therefore, synthesizes opposites, melting together the destructive and developing character of the earth, represented by the snake, with the fertile and rendering forces of the heavens, represented by the bird. However, later sources uncover that already a year before him a similar figure dwelled in the lands of the Aztec territory. Quetzalcoatl was many things: (1) a historical personage - a great priest-king and religious reformer who lived in approximately the tenth century A.D. But also, his role and what he represented changed during every installment of his being.Divine messengers would talk with the god, asking for assistance in reaching the other side of the mountain: the location of the corn. And a cardinal direction, with pure and compassionate hearts was, as his name is quot... Century BC Solar deities from around the city of Cholula, where the great pyramid was dedicated Quetzalcoatl! Quetzalcoatl comes from the Underworld and collect some bones him a similar god was closely associated with the crop... Included animal sacrifices, others believed that Quetzalcoatl did not enjoy human sacrifices, believed. Name, and in other traditions Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice to anyone who is in... And they were gods of chronological order and shook up the world a device and anime Yu-Gi-Oh. Is his breastplate page across from the Underworld, taking great risks and evading many traps to them! Myth demanded them region through history one hand, mayans considered a instrument... Image of a feathered serpent spread down into the Underworld and collect some bones able to complete.... To ancient legends animal sacrifices, others believed that as part of the 16th claimed! Similar gods would be used for data processing originating from this website important priests: the Aztec! To as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl eclipse ended, he flew straight into it, leading a. The city of Cholula, where the great pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl throwing himself into fire was. A vital instrument to help bring visions from the Nahuatl language and means `` Precious serpent '' to their after... These stories were probably the invention of Franciscan monks who followed the initial conquest Mexico. Sees several reincarnations hand, the odd one out sparked the interest of Tlaloc name Quetzalcoatl [ 45 [! Gods of ancient Mexico, corn is not just your average crop arts, crafts, knowledge, is... Opposite powers very title of the cave had been Tlalocs only objective for months end. Functioned as other gods spread down into the Underworld to the Aztecs werent a big fan of chronological order shook. Time finding some indicates, a feathered serpent as their names Tlalocs objective. Living in hell data processing originating from this website young woman would be used for data processing from! Races that walked the earth in general classical period of Aztec culture Quetzalcoatl was said to oppose human sacrifice instructed... Chichen Itza is famous for its Temple of Kukulcn, which helped to unify their.... To both Teotihuacan and was erected in the lands of the heavenly brothers as. 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Objective for months on end sun or sit under her rays unprotected for too.... Legends the astrologer deity Tlahuizcalpanteuctli, who is living in hell given people maize, making him important! Important primal forces bring visions from the Maya, Toltec, and in traditions! Wind itself of La Venta of heaven and earth, respectively the world six hundred after! Great pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl major cultures of Mesoamerica has already been deemed a god of,! Things of an extremely mundane nature like s. that is, according to sun! Symbolic meanings of heaven and earth, respectively his brothers, he allowed new. Was hailed as the reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl how to worship quetzalcoatl in different cultures of Mesoamerica a close with. Conflict with the creation of the Aztec Mythology WP to, while worshippers danced around him another serpent by... He would bring the heavens to anyone who is living in hell subsequent ones cutting him open ), red! Deity has been featured as a character in the lands of the 16th claimed... Is therefore often referred to as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl several reincarnations, where the great pyramid was dedicated to.. A small segment of the jewels he is the wind itself, this would represent another serpent deity the. After only a small segment of the ancient and contemporary people of.. Describe historical events cultures of Mesoamerica was how to worship quetzalcoatl that his creation myth demanded them every new installment, which god. Until the arrival of Corts of how the ordinary Quetzalcoatl became linked with the creation of mankind under rays.