Quetzalcoatl, also known as the "Feathered Serpent," was a significant god to the ancient Mesoamericans. With the rise of the Toltec civilization around 900 A.D., Quetzalcoatl worship spread throughout the region, even down to the Yucatan peninsula, where it was adopted by the Maya. What are the facts about this mysterious god?
His Roots Go Back as Far as the Ancient Olmec
To trace the history of Quetzalcoatl worship, one must go back to the dawn of Mesoamerican civilization. The ancient Olmec civilization lasted roughly from 1200 to 400 B.C. and had a huge influence on all subsequent civilizations. La Venta Monument 19, a well-known Olmec stone carving, depicts a man seated in front of a feathered serpent. Although this demonstrates that the concept of a divine feathered serpent has been around for a long time, most historians agree that the Quetzalcoatl cult did not emerge until the late Classic era, hundreds of years later.
Quetzalcoatl May Be Based on a Historical Person
According to legend, a great hero, Ce Acatl Topiltzn Quetzalcoatl, founded the Toltec civilization (which dominated Central Mexico from approximately 900-1150 A.D.). According to Toltec and Maya accounts, Ce Acatl Topiltzn Quetzalcoatl lived in Tula for a time before leaving due to a disagreement with the warrior class over human sacrifice. He traveled east and eventually settled in Chichen Itza. Quetzalcoatl, the God of the Aztecs, is undoubtedly related to this hero in some way. It's possible that the historical Ce Acatl Topiltzn Quetzalcoatl was deified into Quetzalcoatl the god, or that he took on the mantle of another divine entity.
Quetzalcoatl Fought With His Brother
Quetzalcoatl was a significant god in the Aztec pantheon. The gods periodically destroyed and rebuilt the world in their mythology. Each age of the world was given a new sun, and the world was on its Fifth Sun after being destroyed four times before. Quetzalcoatl's feuds with his brother Tezcatlipoca were sometimes responsible for the world's destruction. Following the first sun, Quetzalcoatl attacked his brother with a stone club, prompting Tezcatlipoca to order his jaguars to devour all of the people. Tezcatlipoca turned all of the people into monkeys after the second sun, which displeased Quetzalcoatl, who caused the monkeys to be blown away by a hurricane.
And Committed Incest With His Sister
In another legend, which is still told in Mexico, Quetzalcoatl was ill. Tezcatlipoca, his brother, devised a clever plan to get rid of Quetzalcoatl. Tezcatlipoca disguised himself as a medicine man and offered Quetzalcoatl alcohol disguised as a medicinal potion because drunkenness was forbidden. Quetzalcoatl drank it, became inebriated, and slept with his sister, Quetzalpétatl. Quetzalcoatl, humiliated, left Tula and traveled east, eventually reaching the Gulf Coast.
The Cult of Quetzalcoatl Was Widespread
Quetzalcoatl Was Many Gods in One
Quetzalcoatl possessed "aspects" in which he acted as other gods. To the Toltecs and Aztecs, Quetzalcoatl was a god of many things. The Aztec Mythology, for example, worshiped him as the god of the priesthood, knowledge, and commerce. After being burned on a funeral pyre, Quetzalcoatl was reborn as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli in some versions of ancient Mesoamerican mythology. He was the fearsome god of Venus and the morning star in his aspect as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli. As Quetzalcoatl – Ehécatl, he was the benign god of wind, bringing rains for crops and retrieving human bones from the underworld, allowing the species to be resurrected.
Quetzalcoatl Had Many Different Appearances
Many ancient Mesoamerican codices, sculptures, and reliefs depict Quetzalcoatl. His appearance, however, can vary greatly depending on the region, era, and context. He was depicted as a plumed serpent in sculptures adorning temples throughout ancient Mexico, though he sometimes had human features as well. He appeared more human-like in the codices. He wore a duckbill mask with fangs and shell jewelry as Quetzalcoatl-Ehécatl. As Quetzalcoatl – Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, he wore a black mask or face paint, an elaborate headdress, and a weapon, such as an ax or lethal darts representing the rays of the morning star.
His Association With the Conquistadors Was Likely Made Up
Hernán Cortés and his ruthless band of daring conquistadors conquered the Aztec Empire in 1519, capturing Emperor Montezuma and sacking the grand city of Tenochtitlán. However, if Montezuma had attacked these intruders as they marched inland, he could have easily defeated them. Montezuma's failure to act has been attributed to his belief that Cortes was Quetzalcoatl, who had once gone away to the east, promising to return. This story was most likely created later, as Aztec-inspired nobles attempted to justify their defeat. Indeed, the Mexicans had killed several Spaniards in battle and captured and sacrificed others, so they knew they were men, not gods. It's more likely that Montezuma saw the Spaniards as potential allies in his ongoing campaign to expand his empire.
The Mormons Believe He Was Jesus
Not all of them, but some of them do. The Church of Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormons, believes that after his resurrection, Jesus Christ walked the Earth, spreading the gospel of Christianity to every corner of the globe. Some Mormons believe that Quetzalcoatl, who was associated with the east (which the Aztecs represented by the color white), was white-skinned. Quetzalcoatl stands out in the Mesoamerican pantheon as being less bloodthirsty than others such as Huitzilopochtli or Tezcatlipoca, making him as good a candidate as any for Jesus' visit to the New World.
The Aztec Face Maya Aztec Calendar
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