Basic Information / General Synopsis:
Quetzalcoatl ("feathered snake") is the
Aztec name for the Feathered-Serpent deity of ancient Mesoamerica, one of
the main gods of many Mexican and northern Central American civilizations.
The name "Quetzalcoatl" literally means quetzal-bird snake or serpent with
feathers of the Quetzal (which implies something divine or precious). The
meaning of his local name in other Mesoamerican languages is similar. The
Maya knew him as Kukulkán; the Quiche as Gukumatz.
The Feathered Serpent deity was important in art and religion in most of
Mesoamerica for close to 2,000 years, from the Pre-Classic era until the
Spanish Conquest. Civilizations worshiping the Feathered Serpent included
the Olmec, the Mixtec, the Toltec, the Aztec, and the Maya .
The worship of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included human sacrifices, although
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 individual as the Kukulcan who invaded Yucatan at about the same
time. The Mixtec also recorded a ruler named for the Feathered Serpent. In
the 10th century a ruler closely associated with Quetzalcoatl ruled the
Toltecs; his name was Topiltzin Ce Acatl Quetzalcoatl. This ruler was said
to be the son of either the great Chichimeca warrior, Mixcoatl and the
Colhuacano woman Chimalman, or of their descendant.
The Toltecs had a dualistic belief system. Quetzalcoatl's opposite was
Tezcatlipoca, who supposedly sent Quetzalcoatl into exile. Alternatively,
he left willingly on a raft of snakes, promising to return.
The Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II initially believed the landing of Cortés in
1519 was Quetzalcoatl's return. Cortes played off this belief to aid in
his conquest of Mexico.
The exact significance and attributes of Quetzalcoatl varied somewhat
between civilizations and through history. Quetzalcoatl was often
considered the god of the morning star and his twin brother, Xolotl was
the evening star (Venus). As the morning star he was known under the title
Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, which means literally "the lord of the star of the
dawn". He was known as the inventor of books and the calendar, the giver
of maize corn to mankind, and sometime as a symbol of death and
resurrection. Quetzalcoatl was also the patron of the priests and the
title of the Aztec high priest.
Most Mesoamerican beliefs included cycles of worlds. Usually, our current
time was considered the fifth world, the previous four having been
destroyed by flood, fire and the like. Quetzalcoatl allegedly 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 to
imbue the bones with new life.
His birth, along with his twin Xolotl, was unusual; it was a virgin birth,
born to the goddess Coatlicue. Alternatively, he was a son of Xochiquetzal
and Mixcoatl.
One Aztec story claims Quetzalcoatl was seduced by Tezcatlipoca but then
burned himself to death out of remorse. His heart became the morning star
(see Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli). (a)
 
Two children of Ometeotl,
Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca, play a very special role in Aztec
creation mythology. Sometimes allies and sometimes adversaries, these two
gods create the heavens and earth. Quetzalcoatl, the plumed serpent, is
widely identified with water, fertility and, by extension, life itself.
One aspect of Quetzalcoatl, Ehecatl, is the god of wind, who appears in
the breath of living beings and the breezes that bring the fructifying
rain clouds. Whereas Quetzalcoatl is widely portrayed as a benevolent
culture hero identified with balance, harmony and life, Tezcatlipoca
represents conflict and change. Among the many Aztec epithets for this
awesome being are 'the adversary' and 'he whose slaves we are'. The name
Tezcatlipoca signifies Smoking Mirror, and this god typically appears with
a smoking obsidian mirror at the back of his head and another replacing
one of his feet. The smoking quality of the mirror may allude to the black
obsidian glass, but it also evokes his mysterious nature, constantly
changing through a cloud-like haze. (d)
|
