In Aztec mythology he was the brother of Tezcatlipoca, Huizilopochtli and Xipe Totec. In Aztec times (14th through 16th centuries) Quetzalcóatl was revered as the patron of priests, the inventor of the calendar and of books, and the protector of goldsmiths and other craftsmen; he was also identified with the planet Venus. Quetzalcoatl was an important god throughout Mesoamerican history and societies and was not just related to the Aztecs. Other legends posited that Quetzalcoatl was the son of the goddess Chimalma. Quetzalcóatl (pronounced: ketsalˈkoːaːtɬ in Nahuatl) is an Aztec sky and creator god. In this legend, Mixcoatl shot at Chimalma for spurning his advances. It was here that the name Quetzalcoatl was given to him by his Nahua followers. Quetzalcoatl is also called White Tezcatlipoca, to contrast him to the black Tezcatlipoca. The power to have the traits and abilities of gods and goddesses from Aztec mythology. His sea voyage to the east should probably be connected with the invasion of Yucatán by the Itzá, a tribe that showed strong Toltec features. His name means feathered serpent and he has been worshipped since 100 BC. Together they symbolize life and death. At the end of the fourth cycle, when mankind had perished again according to the mythology, Quetzalcoatl created a new people with his blood. 1 Capabilities 2 Deities 2.1 Major Deities 2.2 Other Deities 2.3 Folk Saint Deities 3 Associations 4 Known Users 4.1 Anime/Manga 4.2 Television 4.3 Cartoons/Comics 4.4 Video Games 5 Gallery The user can have the traits and abilities of Aztec Gods and Goddesses. Quetzalcoatl is one of the most important gods in ancient Aztec Mesoamerica. Quetzalcoatl was also related to gods of the wind, of Venus, of the dawn, of merchants and of arts, crafts and knowledge. Outside of Tenochtitlán, the main centre of Quetzalcóatl’s cult was Cholula, on the plateau region called Mesa Central. He was worshiped among all the major cultures of the Mesoamerican region through history. 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". Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Quetzalcóatl’s calendar name was Ce Acatl (One Reed). He also had anthropomorphic forms, for example in his aspects as Ehecatl the wind god. 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. Aztec God Quetzalcoatl – According to one myth, Quetzalcoatl was born to a virgin called Chimalman to whom god Onteol appeared in a dream. Amongst the tricks and difficult tasks Mictlantecuhtli set was to insist that Quetzalcoatl could only take the bones away with him if he went around the underworld four times blowing a conch-shell trumpet. Cortes landed in Mexico in 1519. However, independent historical sources do not substantiate this claim and later historians have disputed it as well. 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 another mythological account, he was conceived by the virgin Chimalman after she swallowed an emerald. Quetzalcóatl became the god of the morning and evening star, and his temple was the centre of ceremonial life in Tula. Quetzalcoatl was one of the most important gods of the Aztecs and other peoples of Central America. According to Aztec mythology, Earth had been through four cycles of Sun, each of which resulted in the destruction of mankind. If you have enjoyed this video, please leave a like as it helps a lot. His Roots Go Back as Far as the Ancient Olmec. He was also associated with the creation of mankind, so he also possibly occupied the role of creator in the Aztec mythology. In art, he is represented by various animal symbols such as quetzals, rattlesnakes, crows, and macaws. His older brothers were Xipe Totec and Tezcatlipoca while his younger brother was Huitzilopochtli. 1 Appearance 2 Overview 3 History 4 Gallery He appears as a mix of bird and rattle snake and his name is a combination of the Nahuatl words for the quetzal, the emerald plumed bird, and coatl or serpent. In tracing the history of the worship of Quetzalcoatl, … Finally, the north is represented by the god who is only known as Tezcatlipoca or the Black Tezcatlipoca. But the god of the night sky, Tezcatlipoca, expelled him from Tula by performing feats of black magic. The first century of the Toltec civilization was dominated by the Teotihuacán culture, with its inspired ideals of priestly rule and peaceful behaviour. Quetzalcoatl occupied a unique position in the Aztec pantheon and was considered one of the most important gods. At one hand, Mayans considered a snake as the embodiment of the cosmos. The Aztec Feathered Serpent was discovered, along with several other sculptures of coiled serpents and jaguarsin the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan which is now modern day … This constitutes the Late Pre-Classic Period of the Mayan civilization. Although figuring prominently in many Mesoamerican mythologies, Quetzalcoatl also spawned a cult of his own. As the god of learning, of writing, and of books, Quetzalcóatl was particularly venerated in the calmecac, religious colleges annexed to the temples, in which the future priests and the sons of the nobility were educated. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Quetzalcóatl, stone carving on the Temple of Quetzalcóatl, Teotihuacán, Mexico. Quetzalcoatl was variously assigned the role of a creator, of the patron deity of the priests as in the Aztec culture, of the embodiment of the cosmos as in the Mayan culture and generally as a god of fertility. Quetzalcoatl ’s brother is Xolotl and his mother is Top Goddess Coatlicue. Those bones he anointed with his own blood, giving birth to the men who inhabit the present universe. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'aztecsandtenochtitlan_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',361,'0','0']));He is further related to the gods of wind, with human sacrifice and to the morning star in the Aztec mythology. Quetzalcoatl, whose name means ‘feathered serpent’, was another main god of the Aztec and played a significant role in Aztec history. The south is represented by Huitzilopochtli who is the Blue Tezcatlipoca and the god of war. Chimalma caught the arrows in her hand, however, which i… Aztecs worshiped a similar god, Quetzalcoatl, who also matches the description of Kukulcan. 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