how to worship quetzalcoatl

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This is what you have to look forward to- Initially, you will notice that you can find pleasure in new and sometimes bizarre places. 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. On the basis of the iconography of the feathered-serpent deity at sites such as Teotihuacan, Xochicalco, Chichn Itz, Tula and Tenochtitlan combined with certain ethnohistorical sources, historian David Carrasco has argued that the preeminent function of the feathered-serpent deity throughout Mesoamerican history was as the patron deity of the urban center - a god of culture and civilization. Table of Contents [ hide] Etymology and Archaeology Instead, these stories were probably the invention of Franciscan monks who followed the initial conquest of Mexico. For the giant pterosaur, see, God of life, light and wisdom, lord of the day and the winds. According to this myth, the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, one of them being Quetzalcoatl, represent the four cardinal directions. A Walking Tour of the Maya Capital of Chichn Itz, The Chac Mool Sculptures of Ancient Mexico, Influence of the Olmec Civilization on Mesoamerica. The Toltecs and Nahuas worshiped the god before he was eventually adopted by the Aztecs. 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. Because of this, the latest reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl would come to earth to do exactly that. One legend claimed that the star was Quetzalcoatls heart, placed in the sky after he burned himself alive out of shame for neglecting his duties. The shift in perception had to do with a bigger emphasis on war and human sacrifice in these empires. While Quetzacoatl is one of the most well-known gods of ancient Mexico, he is often misunderstood. As a priestly god, Quetzalcoatl oversaw the violent sacrifices that ensured that Tlaltcuhtli did not destroy life. Quetzalcoatl was also associated with Venus, the Morning Star, and thus the dawn. "[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. If your web page requires an HTML link, please insert this code: . Quetzalcoatl became linked with the maize crop thanks to ancient legends. It starts with Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain. Don't fly too close to the sun or sit under her rays unprotected for too long. Spanish writers of the 16th century claimed that Hernn Corts was hailed as the reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl when he arrived in Mexico in 1519. The worship of Quetzalcoatl is wide-reaching, has a rich history, and exemplifies the complex world of Aztec mythology. Finally, the north is represented by the god who is only known as Tezcatlipoca or the Black Tezcatlipoca. The Toltecs greatly venerated Quetzalcoatl at their capital of Tula, and other major cities at the time also worshiped the feathered serpent. In the modern era, however, many aspects of this legend have come into question. One day, Quetzalcoatls twin brother would coerce him into drinking pulque, a classic Mexican alcoholic beverage still served to this day. His ashes rose into the sky and then his heart followed, becoming the morning star (see Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli). The Aztecs eventually called Quetzalcoatl for help. Over the West presides the White Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl, the god of light, justice, mercy and wind. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Quetzalcoatl was also linked with Aztec priesthood and one of the two high priests in the famous Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan assumed the title of Quetzalcoatl. The worship of this deity has been traced back to as early as the first century BC. According to Aztec mythology, Earth had been through four cycles of Sun, each of which resulted in the destruction of mankind. For example, a depiction in Acapulco, Mexico, shows the Aztec snake god in all its glory. 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". Among the Aztecs, it was related to wind, Venus, Sun, merchants, arts, crafts, knowledge, and learning. Most, however, saw him as more than a wind god and instead as a major force in the creation and continuation of the world. This is largely due to the story that the Aztec king welcomed Hernn Corts, the Spanish conquistador, as the reincarnation of the god. [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. The domestication of corn in Mesoamerica, about 10,000 years ago, is referred to as humanitys greatest achievement when it comes to agriculture. 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. However, independent historical sources do not substantiate this claim and later historians have disputed it as well. Two other gods represented by the planet Venus are Tlaloc (ally and the god of rain) and Xolotl (psychopomp and its twin). According to stories, Aztec people only ate animals or roots until Quetzalcoatl arrived. Quetzalcoatl is a form of one of Mesoamericas most wide-spread images. Quetzalcoatl has been worshiped by all the major Mesoamerican cultures including the Mayans and the Aztecs. Also, the Quetzalcoatl mural had quite a bit to do with internal peace in society. Other than Teotihuacn, large worship places can be found in Xochicalco and Cacaxtla. In fact, the people of Mexico had killed several Spaniards in battle and had captured and sacrificed others, so they knew they were men, not gods. While the inhabitants of Teotihuacan were the first ones to worship Quetzalcoatl, the Aztecs reinterpreted him over time. 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. The first rays of light impressed the snake, making him marvel at the world around him. He is usually called one of the Aztec gods, but even this identification only reveals a partial truth. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. 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. Each of these four sons presides over one of the four cardinal directions. This made it an important sign of fertility because it brought with it the rains that renewed the earth. The earliest Aztec and classic Maya serpent iconography can be found in a six-tiered pyramid specifically dedicated to Quetzalcoatl. His earrings are made of either jade or spiraling shells. "9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl." This is best described in the sixteenth-century book Popol Vuh: the written creation story from the Mayas. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. This idea of return stemmed from a supposed speech given by Montezuma, the Aztec ruler, to Corts when the Spanish arrived at Tenochtitlan. Quetzalcoatl is a Mesoamerican god whose name literally means feathered serpent. [7] Animals thought to represent Quetzalcoatl include resplendent quetzals, rattlesnakes (coatl meaning "serpent" in Nahuatl), crows, and macaws. Later, Xavier and the Aztecs summon Quetzalcoatl in his mortal form and wind up angering him after cutting him open. The city of Cholula, in particular, was known for the importance it laid on the deity of the feathered serpent. Profile [] Identity []. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cult worship may have involved the ingestion of hallucinogenic mushrooms (psilocybes), considered sacred. Historians debate to what degree, or whether at all, these narratives about this legendary Toltec ruler describe historical events. In the extant Mayan sources, it has been revealed that Quetzalcoatl, or the Feathered Serpent, was associated with warfare as well as fertility. 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. One of the supreme existences in North and Central America WP as well as in Aztec Mythology WP. Quetzalcoatl is the most recognizable name among the Aztec gods. He was quite a bit bigger than he was before. By Quetzalcoatl was a god for many ancient . Quetzalcoatl stole the bones from the Underworld, taking great risks and evading many traps to bring them to the surface. In some traditions, he was considered to be the creator of mankind. 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. That is, according to the Aztecs. The first culture to use the symbol of a feathered serpent as an important religious and political symbol was that of Teotihuacan. Tlaltcuhtli was so upset at the loss of her own body that she demanded the hearts and blood of humans to appease her wrath. For example, the Aztecs revered him as the god of the priesthood, knowledge, and trade. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. 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. Quetzalcoatlhe was the wind, the guide and road sweeper of the rain gods, of the masters of the water, of those who brought rain. As a god of wind, Quetzalcoatl was also an important fertility deity. The only snake that wasnt so eager was afraid of the light, or so the myth goes. He was casually sitting on a couple of clouds to water the earth below, which wasnt all that inhabited by humans as of yet. Quetzalcoatl is the creator of all people and the giver of wisdom, corn, and the calendar. 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. He sometimes carries flowers or sacrificial tools. [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]. The Aztecs werent a big fan of chronological order and shook up the world of the gods. In art, he is represented by various animal symbols such as quetzals, rattlesnakes, crows, and macaws. Its more likely that Montezuma saw the Spanish not as enemies but as possible allies in his ongoing campaign to enlarge his empire. In 1519, Hernn Corts and his ruthless band of audacious conquistadors conquered the Aztec Empire, taking Emperor Montezuma captive and sacking the grand city of Tenochtitln. This, too, was a prophecy about what his next reincarnation would look like. After months of rain, the snake was forced to come out of the cave. Minster, Christopher. The gods powers extended beyond the wind, however. It was here that the name Quetzalcoatl was given to him by his Nahua followers. At this particular address, behind the green door, next . The new perceptions came with the installment of the Toltec and Aztec empire and how they braided their more violent nature in their mythology. His appearance can change drastically, however, depending on the region, era, and context. 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. His form of reincarnation, more specifically, would be that of a white person with a long beard. 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. For more details, Wikipedia is a good resource. For example, theSerpent iconography represents both the light of day and the darkness of night, the birth of life, and the fatality of death. Alternatively, he left willingly on a raft of snakes, promising to return. Its still in line with the ubiquity of the plumed serpent, but the Aztec religion probably saw Quetzalcoatl as a more important deity in the creation of the world when compared to the civilizations that came before them. Plumed serpents continued to be depicted in Central American cultures. However, at the end of the second cycle, mankind became like monkeys and so Quetzalcoatl blew up the whole of mankind. [12] Feathered-serpent iconography is prominent at all of these sites. The temple can be found at Teotihuacan and was erected in the third century. The Teotihuacan iconographical depictions are often interpreted as a version where Quetzalcoatl played the role of a fertility-related serpent deity. As the story goes, the Aztec believed in a white, bearded god named Quetzalcoatl, who, long ago, had disappeared into the east. The ancient Olmec civilization lasted roughly from 1200 to 400 B.C. 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). Mainly because they thought one of them was the reincarnation of the beloved god discussed in this article. These, then, are the people that still inhabit the world. Quetzalcoatl was so closely linked to fertility and creation that many groups held him to be the creator of mankind. 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.. One noted Post-Classic Toltec ruler was named Quetzalcoatl; he may be the same . In the underworld, Quetzalcoatl went all the way to Mictln; the lowest region of the Aztec underworld. Feathered serpents appear as early as 900 BC in parts of Mexico. [25] Quetzalcoatl was often considered the god of the morning star, and his twin brother Xolotl was the evening star (Venus). In the modern world, Aztec religion is often associated with dramatic and bloody human sacrifices. Some said that before this he had helped to create the world itself. He is also a god of learning, reading, and books. Minster, Christopher. How should one worship the sun? Ququmatz Also written as Gukumatz, this name belonged to the Kiche Maya. Like many other Mesoamerican deities, the story of our god sees several reincarnations. Starts with Tlaloc, the snake was forced to come out of the 16th claimed... The giant pterosaur, see, god of rain was hailed as the god before he was quite a bigger... 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