how to worship quetzalcoatl

Some followers of the Latter Day Saints movement believe that Quetzalcoatl was historically Jesus Christ, who Latter-day Saints believe visited the New World as a resurrected being as reported in the Book of Mormon, but believe his name and the details of the event were gradually lost over time. But the history of the former has been handed down to us through an impure Lamanitish source, which has sadly disfigured and perverted the original incidents and teachings of the Savior's life and ministry. However, Quetzalcoatl was already worshiped well before the Aztecs reigned over the area we know today as Mesoamerica. Quetzalcoatl was a deity which was a part of the pantheon of most Mesoamerican civilisations. Cult worship may have involved the ingestion of hallucinogenic mushrooms (psilocybes), considered sacred. Mexico's flagship airline Aeromxico has a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner painted in a special Quetzalcoatl livery. The earliest Aztec and classic Maya serpent iconography can be found in a six-tiered pyramid specifically dedicated to Quetzalcoatl. How old is the United States of America? As mentioned before, the god Tlaloc is believed to have helped to create Quetzalcoatl. Quetzalcoatl is one of the most well-known Mesoamerican gods, but how much do you actually know about the feathered serpent of pre-Columbian Mexico? This is evident in the iconography recovered from these sites. All but one. As the morning star, he was known by the title Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, meaning "lord of the star of the dawn". Rather than showing subservience to the invading Spaniards, Montezumas claim that Corts was a gracious ruler was a way of asserting dominance and showing disdain for the Spanish commander. His name means Plumed Serpent, referring specifically to the green quetzal birds native to Central America. In his aspect as Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, he was the fearsome god of Venus and the morning star. He also encouraged them to worship a different god, Quetzalcoatl (kehtsahlkoh AHT uhl), or the Feathered Serpent. In this period the deity is known to have been named Quetzalchutl by his Nahua followers. From here, he would be seen as the morning star, while his twin brother would be seen as the evening star; planet Venus. His form of reincarnation, more specifically, would be that of a white person with a long beard. He is a former head writer at VIVA Travel Guides. 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. He was casually sitting on a couple of clouds to water the earth below, which wasnt all that inhabited by humans as of yet. Around the 5th and 6th centuries, the cult of the feather serpent spread to many central Mexican cities, including Cocaxtla and Cholula. In another, they worked together to tear apart a monster called Tlaltcuhtli and create the land and its features from her body. These were part of the Nahua culture, which included both these states and other independent ethnic groups in central Mexico. A 2012 exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Dallas Museum of Art, "The Children of the Plumed Serpent: the Legacy of Quetzalcoatl in Ancient Mexico", demonstrated the existence of a powerful confederacy of Eastern Nahuas, Mixtecs and Zapotecs, along with the peoples they dominated throughout southern Mexico between 1200 and 1600 (Pohl, Fields, and Lyall 2012, Harvey 2012, Pohl 2003). Quetzalcoatl was also associated with Venus, the Morning Star, and thus the dawn. This is also evident in the duality of serpent figures throughout Mesopotamian history. Montezuma king of the aztecs during the era had even confirmed that Cortes was Quetzalcoatl or a reincarnation of their deity. Christopher Minster, Ph.D., is a professor at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador. C catl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl [s kat topiltsin ketsalkoat] ( Our Prince One-Reed Precious Serpent) (c. 895-947) is a mythologised figure appearing in 16th-century accounts of Nahua historical traditions, [5] where he is identified as a ruler in the 10th century of the Toltecs by Aztec tradition their . The God Quetzalcoatl definitely has a link of some sort to this hero. Quetzalcoatl was so closely linked to fertility and creation that many groups held him to be the creator of mankind. During the Post-Classic Period (900AD-1519AD), the main center of Quetzalcoatls worship was Cholula. In the codices, he was generally more human-like. The attributes of Quetzalcoatl varied in different cultures of Mesoamerica during different eras. The major worship of this god as Quetzalcoatl began in 700 . The relation of Quetzalcoatl with just the latest sun is a result of the mingling of his earliest myths and some new perceptions. 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. 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). Hernan Cortes, who led the Spaniards, was first invited into the city by Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II. For the giant pterosaur, see, God of life, light and wisdom, lord of the day and the winds. They therefore claimed that Quetzalcoatl was the Aztec name for Thomas the Apostle and that the naive natives believed that he, like Christ, would one day return to finish converting them to Christianity. Because of this, the latest reincarnation of Quetzalcoatl would come to earth to do exactly that. In Tenochtitlan, Quezelcoatls name was used as a priestly title. This made crops grow and brought water for drinking. If this speech was actually given, its likely that ignorance of Aztec customs and Nahuatl speech patterns was to blame for giving the impression that Montezuma was willingly handing over power to a divine being. [9] In Mazatec legends the astrologer deity Tlahuizcalpanteuctli, who is also represented by Venus, bears a close relationship with Quetzalcoatl. The Nahuatl nouns compounded into the proper name "Quetzalcoatl" are: (in English, Spanish, and Nahuatl languages), Proposed Book of Mormon geographical setting, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fate/Grand Order - Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, "Evidence of Mushroom Worship in Mesoamerica", "New Taxonomical and Ethnomycological Observations on, "All You Need To Know About The Ancient Aztec Gods and Goddesses", "Readings in Classical Nahuatl: The Death of Quetzalcoatl", "Gift of the Gods: Chocolate in the Aztec Empire", "The Complete New York City Horror Movie Marathon! In the episode "Damnesia You," Xavier winds up in the Aztec world and is immediately (and unsuccessfully) sacrificed for insulting the Sun God, and during the sacrifice the Aztecs humorously fail to pronounce his name. Historian Matthew Restall concludes that: The legend of the returning lords, originated during the Spanish-Mexica war in Corts' reworking of Moctezuma's welcome speech, had by the 1550s merged with the Corts-as-Quetzalcoatl legend that the Franciscans had started spreading in the 1530s. At the end of the fourth cycle, when mankind had perished again according to the mythology, Quetzalcoatl created a new people with his blood. [30], He is also attributed with having brought the cacao plant from a sacred mountain to the Toltec people, teaching the women how to make traditional drinking chocolate.[31]. . Quetzalcoatl is but one of the Aztec gods and goddesses that has animal-like characteristics. Xolotl Among the Aztecs, this was Quetzalcoatls twin. The Toltecs and Nahuas worshiped the god before he was eventually adopted by the Aztecs. One of the most often-repeated stories involving Quetzalcoatl was one that spread after the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in Mexico. The colonization of Mesoamerica, or rather Abya Yala, has severely impacted the area where Quetzalcoatl was worshiped. Mictlantecuhtli was the Aztec god of death and the principle god of the underworld. However, each and every god had failed terribly in doing so. Like most of their gods, the Aztecs shared him with both allies and foes throughout Mexico and Central America. For example, the Aztecs revered him as the god of the priesthood, knowledge, and trade. Chichen Itza is famous for its Temple of Kukulcn, which was their name for Quetzalcoatl. And over the North presides the Black Tezcatlipoca, known by no other name than Tezcatlipoca, the god of judgment, night, deceit, sorcery and the Earth. His earrings are made of either jade or spiraling shells. He wouldnt become the new Aztec ruler, however. In another legend, still told in Mexico, Quetzalcoatl was feeling ill. His brother Tezcatlipoca, who wanted to be rid of Quetzalcoatl, came up with a clever plan. 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. While drunk, Quetzalcoatl seduced his sister, a celibate priestess. In the extant Mayan sources, it has been revealed that Quetzalcoatl, or the Feathered Serpent, was associated with warfare as well as fertility. The pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus was named after the deity. "9 Facts About Quetzalcoatl." In one myth tied to this belief, the two killed a great monster and used its body to craft the world. [23], The exact significance and attributes of Quetzalcoatl varied somewhat between civilizations and through history. Quetzalcoatl is closely associated with the myth of the four cardinal directions. https://www.thoughtco.com/facts-about-quetzalcoatl-2136322 (accessed March 2, 2023). This, too, can be seen in the birth of Quetzalcoatl. Nor would he be seen as the reincarnation of the Feathered Serpent god.Indeed, the Aztecs were quick to figure out the nature of the visit of the Spaniards. So technically, any human form walking this earth contains a bit of Quetzalcoatl. Tlaltcuhtli was so upset at the loss of her own body that she demanded the hearts and blood of humans to appease her wrath. It is also suggested that he was a son of Xochiquetzal and Mixcoatl. A Walking Tour of the Maya Capital of Chichn Itz, The Chac Mool Sculptures of Ancient Mexico, Influence of the Olmec Civilization on Mesoamerica. It was also the patron god of the Aztec priesthood. He used his own blood from wounds he inflicted on himself to give life to the bones and create 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. Cholula had been captured by pro-Aztec forces. (2020, August 28). He was quite a bit bigger than he was before. By the 3rd century AD this was recognizable as a god, who had a pyramid dedicated to his honor in the city of Teotihuacn. The Name Quetzalcoatl 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 two priests came to their position after living an exemplary life, with pure and compassionate hearts. [19] The most important center was Cholula, where the world's largest pyramid was dedicated to Quetzalcoatl-worship. 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. Franciscans then equated the original Quetzalcoatl with Thomas and imagined that the Indians had long-awaited his return to take part once again in God's kingdom. His appearance can change drastically, however, depending on the region, era, and context. In art, he is represented by various animal symbols such as quetzals, rattlesnakes, crows, and macaws. Over the East presides the Red Tezcatlipoca, Xipe Totec, the god of gold, farming and springtime. Quetzalcoatl's link to erudition and religious dedication ensured his worship across Mesoamerica, and some priests of high rank were anointed with his name. At first, the ancient Mesoamerican cultures were actually very welcoming toward the colonizers. Excessive politeness was actually used in Nahuatl rhetoric to express the opposite meaning. Each of these four sons presides over one of the four cardinal directions. Quetzalcoatl was also the patron of the priests and the title of the twin Aztec high priests. 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. 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. His ashes rose into the sky and then his heart followed, becoming the morning star (see Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli). One of the supreme existences in North and Central America WP as well as in Aztec Mythology WP. These sources further claimed that it was because of this superstition that Moctezuma II invited Cortes as a guest and didnt harm him or his soldiers. Opposite meaning of death and the winds and context many Central Mexican,!, 2023 ) life to the green quetzal birds native to Central America Plumed serpent, referring specifically to green. 19 ] the most well-known Mesoamerican gods, but how much do actually! Tear apart a monster called Tlaltcuhtli and create mankind can be found in a six-tiered pyramid specifically to. And context to Quetzalcoatl-worship for drinking while drunk, Quetzalcoatl was also the patron of star! 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