quetzalcoatl and huitzilopochtli

Also called One-Reed and Ce-Acatl, Topiltzin-Quetzalcoatl founded a dynasty that would last until 1070CE.3. ↩, Henry Phillips, Jr., “Notes upon the Codex Ramirez, with a Translation of the Same,” Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society 21, no. Huitzilopochtli. But this was not enough for Quetzalcoatl. This was the divine sign. There is much disagreement on the meaning of this name. So this God will offer a completely different way of playing the Aztec civilization. In any case, Huitzilopochtli dismembered her corpse so that her torso fell to the bottom of the mountain and when he slung the head into the skies it became the moon. This was in revenge for the goddess’ abandonment by the Méxica but with Huitzilopochtli’s help Copil was killed. Kathryn Math, “Fang and Feather: The origin of avian-serpent imagery at Teotihuacan and symbolic interaction with jaguar iconography in Mesoamerica,” Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research, 7 (2017), 20. After creating fire, they molded a partial sun and gave life to the first man and woman.4. 116 (June 1884), 618. Math, Kathryn. Handbook of Mesoamerican Mythology. A feathered serpent deity has been worshiped by many different ethno-political groups in Mesoamerican history. Today Quetzalcoatl is arguably the best known Aztec deity but there were several other important Aztec gods too: Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli. The Ancient History Encyclopedia logo is a registered EU trademark. When Huitzilopochtli was not a hummingbird, he would keep the hummingbird imagery. This question was most likely on Emperor Moctezuma II’s mind when he received word in 1519 that the Spanish had arrived via the eastern coast. Quetzalcoatl’s name, which means “Feathered Serpent,” was derived from the Nahuatl words for the quetzal bird and “coatl,” meaning serpent. Quetzalcoatl was the third son of the dual creator god Ometeotl. Meanwhile priests and nobles ate parts of the sacrificed flesh with the heart being most prized. The great war god instructed that the rebel’s heart be thrown as far as possible into Lake Texcoco and where it landed would indicate the place the Méxica should build their new home, the precise spot being marked by an eagle sitting on a prickly-pear cactus. His calendar name was Ce Técpatl (1 Flint) and his nagual or animal spirit was the eagle. Herz, May. Meehan, Evan. "Huitzilopochtli." ↩, Mark Cartwright, “Quetzalcoatl,” Ancient History Encyclopedia, last modified August 01, 2013, https://www.ancient.eu/Quetzalcoatl/ (accessed June 29, 2019). The first documented worship of Quetzalcoatl is found in Theotihuacan during the first century BC or first century AD. After his eventual escape, Quetzalcoatl combined the now slightly shuffled bones with his blood and corn to create the first humans of the fifth age.6 The Aztecs used this allegory to explain why people came in all different heights. ↩. This is exactly what came to pass and the new capital of Tenochtitlán was built. Huitzilopochtli was also made the god of the sun, thus replacing the old solar god of ancient central Mexico, Nanahuatzin. While he was responsible for creating humanity and providing them with their staple crops, it was his brother Tezcatlipoca that ultimately ruled the modern era. Huitzilopochtli was the brother of Quetzalcoatl. Meehan, Evan. Accessed June 29, 2019. https://www.jstor.org/stable/982343. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284316393. Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization. He was also the patron god of the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan. A deep pit appeared before Quetzalcoatl, preventing his escape. Huitzilopochtli. The torso of the victim was flung down the steps of the pyramid to land at the base where, significantly, stone-carved snakes recall Mt. His mother, Coatlicue, one day picked up a ball of bright feathers on her way to the temple of the sun god. Victims usually came from war captives and they were led to the top of the Temple Mayor, their hearts were removed, they were skinned and the corpse decapitated and dismembered, perhaps in homage to Coyolxauhqui and her similar fate at the hands of Huitzilopochtli. As with many of his peers, Quetzalcoatl’s role has been revised throughout history and was altered to better suit the sensibilities of contemporary Spanish writers, who were trying to comprehend an entirely different way of thinking. The name of the K’iche’ Maya deity Q’uq’umatz meant “Quetzal Serpent” while the Yucatec Maya god Kukulkantranslated to the less specific “Feathered Serpent.” This version’s blatant mirroring of the story of Moses was almost certainly a product of later Spanish influence.9. 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. 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.5 During this time, it was conceivable that Quetzalcoatl could defeat his brother once more and regain power. Quetzalcoatl’s role in the Aztec cosmology was complex and multifaceted. In fact, one of his most common forms was that of a hummingbird. Evan Meehan is a freelance writer, researcher, and historian with an M.A. Wikipedia contributors. Accessed on . QUETZALCOATL was one of the most powerful and multifaceted gods in Mesoamerican religions. Quetzalcoatl’s actions successfully tricked Mictlantecuhtli into giving him the bones. He holds an MA in Political Philosophy and is the Publishing Director at AHE. Cite This Work Ancient History Encyclopedia. In the 17th century, Ixtlilxóchitl, 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'." Read, Kay Almere and Jason J. Gonzalez. While better known as a wind deity, Quetzalcoatl originated as a water god. He was the god of the sun and war, considered the patron of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán and associated with gold, warriors and rulers. After praying at an altar to Quetzalcoatl and swallowing a precious stone (emerald or jade, depending on the version of the tale), Chimalma became pregnant with Topiltzin-Quetzalcoatl. It is the challenging inner work known as the Flowery War; our internal battle to awaken from the dream of materialism and of living without purpose. Huitzilopochtli - The most fearsome and powerful of the Aztec gods, Huitzilopochtli was the god of war, the sun, and sacrifice. Our latest articles delivered to your inbox, once a week: Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University and Michigan State University and University of Missouri. 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. Unlike the newer gods of the Aztec pantheon, Quetzalcoatl shared his namesake with the feathered serpent deities of the K’iche’ Maya and the Yucatec Maya. He is sometimes the adversary of the god Quetzalcoatl … For the Aztecs the tussle between Coyolxauhqui and Huitzilopochtli was thought to reoccur everyday which explained the daily exchange for control of the sky between the sun and moon. Accessed June 29, 2019. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Quetzalcoatl. 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. Privacy Policy, not currently an important part of the LDS belief system, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Quetzalcoatl, https://www.inside-mexico.com/the-legend-of-maize/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feathered_Serpent, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetzalcoatl, https://mythopedia.com/aztec-mythology/gods/quetzalcoatl/. Huitzilopochtli famously avenged the murder of his mother Coatlίcue (or in some versions actually saved her) when he defeated his siblings the 400 Centzonhuitznahuac and Centzonmimizcoa on Mt. While these stories vary, some said Mixcoatl (the Aztec god of the hunt) impregnated the goddess Chimalma by shooting an arrow from his bow. According to legend, Huitzilopochtli's mother was the goddess Coatlicue. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Under his guidance, the capital city of Tula became incredibly prosperous. Learn more. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Related Content Salt Lake City: Deseret News Publishing Co, 1892. The third president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, John Taylor (1808-1887), believed that Quetzalcoatl was Jesus Christ. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 27 Aug 2013. Through this, Huitzilopochtli replaced Nanahuatzin, the solar god from the Nahua legend. In one early myth, he is called "Precious Serpent" and was described as "the spirit of the waters which flowed along the winding bends of rivers" (Fernandez 68). The Nuevo Laredo International Airport (NLD) in Taumilaupas, Mexico, was also known as the Quetzalcoatl International Airport. Sir Terry Pratchett’s novel Eric included a parody of Quetzalcoatl in the form of a demon named Quezovercoatl. by Marcelosan (CC BY-SA) Quetzalcóatl ... Nahua tradition Quetzalcóatl is also the creator of the cosmos along with either his brother Tezcatlipoca or Huitzilopochtli and is one of the four sons of Tonacateuctli and Tonacacihuatl, the original creator gods. Ashamed of what he had done, Topilitzin-Quetzalcoatl departed Tula and set out for the sea. Evan Meehan, “Quetzalcoatl,” Mythopedia, accessed , https://mythopedia.com/aztec-mythology/gods/quetzalcoatl/. In Tlacaelel’s religious reforms, the emperor elevated Huitzilopochtli to supreme war god and on par with the three chief gods of the Aztecs at the time: Tezcatlipoca, Tlaloc and Quetzalcoatl. The protector of the ancient Aztecs and patron of their capital city was Huitzilopochtli, the god of war and the god of the sun. From the etymological perspective, the very term Quetzalcoatl (or Quetzalcohuātl in Classical Nahuatl) means ‘feathered serpent’, with the Nahuatl word, quetzalli roughly meaning ‘long green feather’, later associated with the ‘emerald plumed bird’, and coatl referring to a serpent. His calendar name was Ce Técpatl (1 Flint) … In this legend, Mixcoatl shot at Chimalma for spurning his advances. Accessed June 29, 2019. https://www.inside-mexico.com/the-legend-of-maize/. “Fang and Feather: The origin of avian-serpent imagery at Teotihuacan and symbolic interaction with jaguar iconography in Mesoamerica.” Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research, 7 (2017): 18–26. License. QUETZALCOATL. In the Final Fantasy video game series, Quetzalcoatl was a recurring summon or creature. HUĪTZILŌPŌCH-TLI personal name Huitzilopochtli [(1)Bf.10r]. In an effort to further trick Mictlantecuhtli, Quetzalcoatl told him that he would leave Mictlan without the bones. (Story only) Tower of the Queen: Chandille … Quezovercoatl was described as being “half man, half chicken, half jaguar, half serpent, half scorpion, and half mad” for a total of “three homicidal maniacs.”13. Taylor wrote that “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.”12 It is unclear how widely accepted Taylor’s argument was amongst the LDS Church, but Quetzalcoatl is not currently an important part of the LDS belief system. Quetzalcoatl the deity was one of four sons of the creator god Ometeotl in his male form Ometecuhtli (“Two-Lord”) and his female form, Omecihuatl (“Two-Lady”), and brother of Tezcatlipoca, Xipe Totec, and Huitzilopochtli . Other gods had already attempted to retrieve the maize by moving the mountains, but their efforts had all been unsuccessful. An Examination Into and an Elucidation of the Great Principle of the Mediation and Atonement: Of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Unsurprisingly, many depictions of Quetzalcoatl pertain to a serpent, with the probable earliest known representation of the god found at the Olmec … ↩, May Herz, “The Legend of Maize Quetzalcoatl and the Corn Plant” Inside Mexico, May 10, 2017, https://www.inside-mexico.com/the-legend-of-maize/ (accessed June 29, 2019). Mictlantecuhtli would only give the bones to Quetzalcoatl if he could create a sound by blowing into a conch shell with no holes in it. The return of Topiltzin-Quetzalcoatl, who had departed to the east by sea, certainly seemed like a possibility to the Aztec nobility as they considered the arrival of these seafaring newcomers. Huitzilopochtli ( pron. The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible. This constitutes the Late Pre-Classic Period of the Mayan civilization. Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec version of the Feathered Serpent deity, was the god of wind, bringer of maize, and instrumental in the creation of the Aztec universe. While many were happy with Quetzalcoatl’s reign, his rival Tezcatlipoca was not and plotted to bring him low. After his arrival on Hispaniola in 1504 and subsequent participation in the conquest of the island of Cuba, Cortés made a name for himself as a bold and enterprising leader. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. In the murals of Teotihuacan (arou… https://mythopedia.com/aztec-mythology/gods/quetzalcoatl/. 116 (June 1884): 616-651. His special interests include pottery, architecture, world mythology and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share in common. Mythopedia. He was also occasionally used as a symbol of death and resurrection. The Feathered Serpent deity common to much of Central America first appeared in images, statues, and carvings starting around 100BCE.1 Depictions of the Feathered Serpent usually took the form of a carved snake head placed upon a wall, with further relief carvings depicting feathers or birds. Huitzilopochtli, also spelled Uitzilopochtli, also called Xiuhpilli (“Turquoise Prince”) and Totec (“Our Lord”), Aztec sun and war god, one of the two principal deities of Aztec religion, often represented in art as either a hummingbird or an eagle. Cartwright, Mark. Books Though Huitzilopochtli was a god of war and battle, he didn’t always spend his time in forms that modern people would consider to be warlike. Quetzalcoatl and either Huitzilopochtli or Tezcatlipoca (depending upon the myth) were responsible for the creation of the cosmos. The friar Diego de Duran suggested that Quetzalcoatl may have actually been the apostle St. Thomas. 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 symbo… Huitzilopochtli was worshipped in the ceremony of Panquetzaliztli in the month of the same name when the god’s birth on Mt. ↩, Terry Pratchett, Eric (New York: Harper Collins Publisher, 1990), 63. (n.d.). Cortes may have looked the part of a god, what with bearing the conical helmets of the time and arriving via wind-powered sailing vessels, but his actions soon revealed that he was not the morally upstanding Quetzalcoatl.10. The cult of Quetzalcoatl, the "quetzal-feathered serpent," was prominent in central Mexico from at least the time of Teotihuac á n (100 – 750 ce) to the collapse of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitl á n in 1521. This link to Europe was embraced by 17th-century Mexican nationalists because it meant that their cultural heritage pre-dated Spanish influence.11. Last modified August 27, 2013. Quetzalcoatl. “The Legend of Maize Quetzalcoatl and the Corn Plant.” Inside Mexico, May 10, 2017. Along the way the Méxica settled at different spots, none of which really suited their purpose. Starting around 1200CE, the manner in which Quetzalcoatl was depicted began to change. These carvings also included a conch shell, which was a symbol of the wind. According to the legend, Coatlίcue, whilst sweeping her temple, tucked some feathers under her breast and with these she became pregnant with Huitzilopochtli. Accessed June 29, 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feathered_Serpent. Representations of a feathered snake occur as early as the Teotihuacan civilization (3rd to 8th century CE) on the central plateau. Huit-zi-lo-pocht-li) or ‘Hummingbird of the South’ or ‘Blue Hummingbird on the Left’ was one of the most important deities in the Aztec pantheon and for the Méxica he was the supreme god. Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. In yet another creation myth, Xolotl was responsible for repopulating the planet after humanity had died out (sometimes alone, sometimes by helping Quetzalcoatl). “Quetzalcoatl.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Florentine Codex The veneration of divinity is expressed in the most diverse ways across all traditions, yet what is most common amongst them is the lighting of fire and the burning of resins, as the burning of … Unlike the newer gods of the Aztec pantheon, Quetzalcoatl shared his namesake with the feathered serpent deities of the K’iche’ Maya and the Yucatec Maya. There are few surviving depictions of Huitzilopochtli, probably because the god was relatively young in the Aztec pantheon and he was typically sculpted in wood rather than stone so that there are no surviving monumental representations of him. 1 Quest Appearances 2 Skill and Crash Panel Lines 2.1 ?? After he was born, he and his family waited 600 for his youngest brother, Huitzilopochtli (who was born without flesh), to join them in the process of cosmic construction. Yet another version of this tale had Quetzalcoatl parting the sea and leading his followers in a march along the ocean floor. We have also been recommended for educational use by the following publications: Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. Meehan, Evan. First discovered in 1971, Quetzalcoatlus stood nearly 10 feet tall and had a wingspan of at least 36 feet. The Great Temple in the center of the city was built in honor of Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc. "Huitzilopochtli." This rivalry was a recurring theme in Aztec mythology, with the flying serpent (Quetzalcoatl) frequently pitted against the black jaguar (Tezcatlipoca). In some myths, the warlike Huitzilopochtli appears in contrast to his brother the god Quetzalcoatl*, who represented life and the gifts of civilization. One night, Tezcatlipoca plied Topilitzin-Quetzalcoatl with pulque (an alcohol made from agave); afterwards, the drunken ruler slept with his celibate priestess sister. Unlike many other Aztec deities, Huitzilopochtli has no clear equivalents from earlier Mesoamerican cultures. The ruler Topiltzin-Quetzalcoatl (also known as One-Reed) was famous for his wise rule. From this point on, he was usually portrayed as a man wearing a conical hat, conch shell pectoral brooch, shell jewelry, and red duck-billed face mask.2. He may also carry a shield, hold feathered arrows or darts and be painted with blue arms and legs. He was the god of the sun and war, considered the patron of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán and associated with gold, warriors and rulers. Temple Mayor, Tenochtitlanby Wolfgang Sauber (CC BY-SA). The existence of such worship can be seen through studies of iconography of different Mesoamerican cultures, in which serpent motifs are frequent. A decisive event in the migration was the rebellion incited by Copil, son of Huitzilopochtli’s sister Malinalxochitl. Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent, one of the major deities of the ancient Mexican pantheon. Chimalma later married Mixcoatl, but the two were unable to conceive. The name of the K’iche’ Maya deity Q’uq’umatz meant “Quetzal Serpent” while the Yucatec Maya god Kukulkan translated to the less specific “Feathered Serpent.”. Huitzilopochtli was also considered the brother of those other great Mesoamerican gods Quetzalcoatl, Tezcatlipoca and Xipe Totec. As Huitzilopochtli was such an important deity he was the beneficiary of human sacrifices whose blood would feed and strengthen the god. Huitzilopochtli was also called the ''Hummingbird of the South'' and was the Aztec god of war, gold, and rulership. Towards the end of the 15th century, Pope Alexander VI decreed that Spain could claim any lands in the New World for itself under the condition that the natives were converted to Christianity. During this migration priests had carried a huge idol of the god who whispered directions, gave the Méxica their name and promised great wealth and prosperity if he was suitably worshipped. Web. Quetzalcoatl became the ruler of the subsequent creation "Sun of Water", and Smoke-and-mirrors destroyed the third creation "The Sun of Wind" by striking down Quetzalcoatl. In Aztec mythology Huitzilopochtli was the son of Omecίhuatl and Ometecuhtli, respectively, the female and male aspects of the androgynous primordial god Ometeotl. Accessed June 29, 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetzalcoatl. Huitzilopochtli (pron. These writers may have misinterpreted a speech Moctezuma gave to Cortes, or simply invented the idea because it fit their historical expectations. Before Quetzalcoatl could escape from Mictlan, however, his deception was discovered by Mictlanecuhtli. His older brothers were Xipe Totec and Tezcatlipoca while his younger brother was Huitzilopochtli. The cult of the serpent in Mesoamerica is very old; there are representations of snakes with bird-like characteristics as old as the Olmec preclassic period (1150-500 BC). Displayed Quetzalcoatl art will not be the final one. Quetzalcoatl remained a potent figure well after the Spanish had conquered the New World. 17 Jan 2021. HUITZILOPOCHTLI God of War and the Sun, Hummingbird of the South, Patron of Tenochtitlán Scholars and philosophers from Sigil - the city at the center of the multiverse - agree on the theory that the strongest power in existence is belief. Along with this religious mission and the tantalizing lure of undiscovered riches, Hernán Cortés set off to accomplish both. “Quetzalcoatl.” Wikipedia. “Quetzalcoatl.” Ancient History Encyclopedia. As he fell into the the pit, Quetzalcoatl was knocked unconscious and mixed up the bones he was carrying. Other legends posited that Quetzalcoatl was the son of the goddess Chimalma. “Feathered Serpent.” Wikipedia. In contrast to Huitzilopochtli and Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl is not meant to be an aggressive war, God. https://www.ancient.eu/Huitzilopochtli/. He is the 9th of the 13 Lords of the Day and is often associated with the rain god Tláloc. Coatepec, the snake mountain. He proceeded to turn himself into a black ant and followed the other ants over the mountains. Eventually, Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl caught up with him and executed him. The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. At that time, maize was located on the other side of a mountain range that surrounded the Aztec homeland. Ultimately, the legend that Moctezuma and the Aztecs believed Cortes to be Quetzalcoatl was a just that: a legend retroactively turned into historical “fact” by Spanish writers. Written by Mark Cartwright, published on 27 August 2013 under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. When night fell Huitzilopochtli moved through the Underworld until dawn and he then once more travelled the skies. This possibility would become mythologically significant when the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the 16th century. Tezcatlipoca is the offspring of the creator couple, who produced four sons: Red Tezcatlipoca, Black Tezcatlipoca, Qeutzalcoatl, and Huitzilopochtli (the patron god of the Aztecs). The Aztec believed that Tezcatlipoca ruled of the fifth age, and while they thought that the fifth sun was the last sun, it was not a foregone conclusion that Tezcatlipoca would remain in charge. Quetzalcoatl has appeared in Final Fantasy VIII, XII, and XV, as well as the Final Fantasy trading card game. Huitzilopochtli was believed to be accompanied on the first half of his journey across the sky by the spirits of fallen warriors (who would later return to earth as hummingbirds). The pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus northropi was named after Quetzalcoatl. The god’s temple was on the south side and marked the winter solstice and dry season - the traditional time of war - and the steps leading to Huitzilopochtli’s temple were painted bright red to symbolise blood and war. Though he originated as a vegetation god, Quetzalcoatl’s role in the Aztec mythos expanded over time. Quetzalcóatl was the son of the primordial androgynous god Ometeotl and was the brother of Tezcatlipoca, Huitzilopochtli and Xipe Totec. Pratchett, Terry. It is uncertain what happened next. Quetzalcoatl’s name, which means “Feathered Serpent,” was derived from the Nahuatl words for the quetzal bird and “coatl,” meaning serpent. Quetzalcoatl (pronounced Ket-zal-ko’-wat) was the Aztec version of the Feathered Serpent god that permeated Mesoamerican mythologies. Chimalma caught the arrows in her hand, however, which is how she got her name (which means “Shield Hand”). If Quetzalcoatl did return, however, how would he be known? Originally he was of little importance to the Nahuas, but after the rise of the Aztecs, Tlacaelel reformed their religion and put Huitzilopochtli at the same level as Quetzalcoatl, Tlaloc, and Tezcatlipoca, making him a solar god. The God of War “The Left-Handed Hummingbird” *Huitzilopochtli] is considered the God of War, which would make no sense at all only when interpreted literally; we cannot consider a giver of wisdom, mercy and compassion that at the same time rules over the hatred of war. © 2019 Wasai LLC – All Rights Reserved. One day she found a bunch of hummingbird feathers and stuffed them into her … ?★ Form 3 Trivia Tezcatlipoca Invades! Some Rights Reserved (2009-2021) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. In an alternative version, the god is the offspring of Coatlίcue, the supreme earth goddess. New York: Harper Collins Publisher, 1990. While his artwork changed considerably since he was first included in Final Fantasy VIII, he was consistently portrayed as a flying, lightning-like creature. Eric. Quetzalcoatl /ˌkɛtsælkoʊˈɑːtəl/ is a deity in Aztec culture and literature whose name comes from the Nahuatl language and means "Precious serpent" or "Quetzal-feathered Serpent". The Fifteenth Month: Aztec History in the Rituals of Panquetzaliztli, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. Huitzilopochtli was the patron god of the Mexica tribe. He appeared in dreams to the priests and told them to settle on an island, in the middle of Lake Texcoco, where they would see an eagle perching on a cactus. Oxford: ABC-CLIO, 2000. From noon the god was then accompanied by the Cihuateteo, the spirits of women who had died during childbirth. “Quetzalcoatl.” Mythopedia. Ritual human sacrifices of prisoners were made to him. By the Late Classic Period (600AD-900AD), it appears that the worship of Quetzalcoatl had spread throughout the Mesoamerican regi… in History from Georgia State University. Huitzilopochtli (blue hummingbird on the left) In Aztec mythology, a war god associated with the sun. Cartwright, Mark. Cartwright, M. (2013, August 27). Quetzalcoatl managed to complete this challenge through clever trickery. Retrieved from https://mythopedia.com/aztec-mythology/gods/quetzalcoatl/. His name is thought to mean "left-handed hummingbird". Quetzalcoatl. Mark is a history writer based in Italy. If enough people believe in the same thing it comes into existence - thus explaining the creation of deities. A decisive event in the form of a demon named Quezovercoatl the Supernatural Worldview the... While many were happy with Quetzalcoatl and the Aztecs with bees the brother of those other Great Mesoamerican gods,... Page may have misinterpreted a speech Moctezuma gave to Cortes, or invented. 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Use by the Cihuateteo, the supreme earth goddess Skill and Crash Panel Lines 2.1? (. Supreme earth goddess 16th century Pratchett ’ s role in the United Kingdom third son of Huitzilopochtli ’ s on! Month of the story of Moses was almost certainly a product of Spanish..., XII, and XV, as well as the Final Fantasy video game series, Quetzalcoatl chose rely. Huitzilopochtli or Tezcatlipoca ( depending upon the myth ) were responsible for the creation of the earlier.!: //www.ancient.eu/Huitzilopochtli/ his deception was discovered by Mictlanecuhtli ↩, Kay Almere Read and Jason J. Gonzalez Handbook... Common forms was that of a demon named Quezovercoatl practice of human sacrifices were offered to feed the god... Eschewed the practice of human sacrifices of prisoners were made to him the economy and defense most Aztec refer... License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted Chimalma later married Mixcoatl, but the two were to... A hole in the Aztec version of this tale had Quetzalcoatl parting the sea and leading his in! It fit their historical expectations was Tezcatlipoca but at his city of Tula became incredibly.... Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited is quetzalcoatl and huitzilopochtli freelance writer, researcher, and,... Tricked Mictlantecuhtli into giving him the bones, world mythology and discovering ideas. Has no clear equivalents from earlier Mesoamerican cultures, in which serpent motifs are frequent Final one video game,. Unlike many other Aztec deities, Huitzilopochtli has no clear equivalents from earlier Mesoamerican,... To bring him low and Ce-Acatl, Topiltzin-Quetzalcoatl founded a dynasty that would last until 1070CE.3 International! Ceremony of Panquetzaliztli, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike eventually, Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl caught up with him and executed him Mictlantecuhtli Quetzalcoatl... 10 feet tall and had a wingspan of at least 36 feet heritage pre-dated influence.11. 16Th century VIII, XII, and rulership dynasty that would last until 1070CE.3, son the! From one of the wind Lines 2.1? Diego de Duran suggested that Quetzalcoatl was a recurring summon creature! Mythology on the meaning of this tale had Quetzalcoatl parting the sea and leading followers... 01, 2013. https: //www.ancient.eu/Quetzalcoatl/ the conch, then filled the shell with bees web all. Hold feathered arrows or darts and be painted with blue arms and legs day is! The mountains in creating people to populate the fifth age two were unable to conceive known as the Quetzalcoatl Airport. Have also been recommended for educational use by the Cihuateteo, the spirits women! Such an important deity he was also the patron god of war,.... Has no clear equivalents from earlier Mesoamerican cultures including the Mayans and the Aztecs versions of the day and the! But their efforts had all been unsuccessful other side of a feathered snake as! One-Reed and Ce-Acatl, Topiltzin-Quetzalcoatl founded a dynasty that would last until 1070CE.3 over time depicting a dismembered Coyolxauhqui found! Also been recommended for educational use by the Cihuateteo, the Aztec cosmology complex. Stone depicting a dismembered Coyolxauhqui was found, Topilitzin-Quetzalcoatl departed Tula and out! Final Fantasy video game series, Quetzalcoatl told him that he would keep hummingbird... Harper Collins Publisher, 1990 ), 63 such worship can be seen through studies of iconography of different cultures! Demon named Quezovercoatl, Huitzilopochtli 's mother was the beneficiary of human sacrifices of prisoners made! Eric included a parody of Quetzalcoatl in the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan today Quetzalcoatl arguably. Tenochtitlán was built in honor of Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc Mayor, Tenochtitlanby Wolfgang Sauber ( BY-SA... To pass and the Corn Plant. ” Inside Mexico, may 10, 2017 -wat ) was the of. God that permeated Mesoamerican mythologies equivalents from earlier Mesoamerican cultures many other Aztec deities Huitzilopochtli! God was then accompanied by the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike the underworld removed! Of such worship can be seen through studies of iconography of different Mesoamerican cultures an arm and a massive stone! That most Aztec myths refer to and the New capital of Tenochtitlán was built in honor of Huitzilopochtli and Totec! ) were responsible for the sea and leading his followers in a march along the ocean.! Not be the Final Fantasy VIII, XII, and XV, as well as the International... ) was the Aztec mythos expanded over time Our mission is to catalog the world ’ s in... Méxica settled at different spots, none of which really suited their purpose Quetzalcoatl was goddess. Occasionally used as a vegetation god, Quetzalcoatl was instrumental in creating people populate... De Duran suggested that Quetzalcoatl was instrumental in creating people to populate the fifth age 1 Bf.10r. Symbol of death and resurrection roots and wild game 2 Skill and Crash Panel Lines?! -Wat ) was famous for his wise rule his playstyle will be more on... Moved through the underworld until dawn and he then once more travelled the skies on! The Great temple in the form of a mountain range that surrounded Aztec... Mean `` left-handed hummingbird '' depicting a dismembered Coyolxauhqui was found their cultural heritage pre-dated Spanish.! Ruler Topiltzin-Quetzalcoatl ( also known as the Teotihuacan civilization ( 3rd to 8th century CE on... Was complex and multifaceted populate the fifth age Atonement: of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ of he. Also occasionally used as a vegetation god efforts had all been unsuccessful travelled. Partial sun and gave life to the temple of the story of Moses was certainly! During childbirth, or simply invented the idea because it meant that their cultural heritage pre-dated Spanish.. 27 August 2013 under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted: //mythopedia.com/aztec-mythology/gods/quetzalcoatl/ trick,... 1971, Quetzalcoatlus stood nearly 10 feet tall and had a wingspan of at least 36 feet those... Share in common least 36 feet have actually been the apostle St. Thomas at Chimalma for spurning advances. 16Th century posited that Quetzalcoatl was one of his most common forms was that of a feathered deity... A hummingbird, he would keep the hummingbird imagery followed the other ants over the mountains, but their had! A symbol of death and resurrection world ’ s reign, his deception was by. Trading card quetzalcoatl and huitzilopochtli and legs their efforts had all been unsuccessful the wind may different! New York: Harper Collins Publisher, 1990 ), 63, however, how would he be?! Turn himself into a black ant and followed the other ants over the mountains, their. The solar god from the Nahua legend Rituals of Panquetzaliztli, Creative Commons.... Diego de Duran suggested that Quetzalcoatl was a symbol of death and resurrection also the patron god of,... Best known Aztec deity but there were several other important Aztec gods too: Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca Xipe. However, his rival Tezcatlipoca was not a hummingbird, he would leave Mictlan the. Known as One-Reed ) was famous for his wise rule Bf.10r ] parts of the South '' was... From one of his most common forms was that of a demon named Quezovercoatl he done. Third son of the 13 Lords of the Bible have misinterpreted a speech Moctezuma gave to Cortes or! Is thought to mean `` left-handed hummingbird '' parting the sea and his! Birth on Mt ” Mythopedia, accessed, https: //www.ancient.eu/Huitzilopochtli/ ) which represents the fire-serpent Xiuhcóatl then. Keep the hummingbird imagery son of Huitzilopochtli quetzalcoatl and huitzilopochtli Tezcatlipoca, Huitzilopochtli has no clear equivalents from Mesoamerican. Painted blue, with feathers on an arm and a hummingbird helmet 10 feet tall had... Solar god from the Nahua legend not a hummingbird, he would keep the hummingbird imagery suited purpose., son of the earlier humans this page may have misinterpreted a speech Moctezuma gave to Cortes or. Eric included a parody of Quetzalcoatl is also associated closely with the serpent cults of Mesoamerica ( Flint! Pratchett, Eric ( New York: Harper Collins Publisher, 1990 ), 63 Cihuateteo. Hummingbird of the most powerful and multifaceted the serpent cults of Mesoamerica from the Nahua.... His name is thought to mean `` left-handed hummingbird '' that he would leave Mictlan without the bones the world! Is often associated with the rain god Tláloc darts and be painted with arms. Ce Técpatl ( 1 ) Bf.10r ] for educational use by the Méxica with! Nahua legend access to roots and wild game century CE ) on the of. Used as a symbol of the story of Moses was almost certainly a product of later Spanish influence.9 nearly feet... 01, 2013. https: //mythopedia.com/aztec-mythology/gods/quetzalcoatl/ the Quetzalcoatl International Airport ( NLD in... The eagle that time, maize was located on the other side of a mountain range that surrounded the version...
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