Quetzalcoatl

Quetzalcoatl ( Nahuatl Quetzalcoatl = " Quetzalschlange " or "shining serpent tail feather "; Mayathan or Itza Kukulcan, Quiché Q'uq'umatz ) is a syncretic deity of several Mesoamerican cultures, including the Toltecs, the Aztecs and the Maya. By the God Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli it would be a special manifestation of Quetzalcoatl.

Shape

In the early representations of Quetzalcoatl was zoomorphic, that is shown as large rattlesnake, whose body is covered with the feathers of the sacred quetzal bird - so on the stele 19 (around 900 BC) in the Olmec city of La Venta. In Teotihuacán was a - later overbuilt - temple pyramid, whose facade is all over with the representations of a feathered serpent covered, named after him. The facade of the main pyramid of Xochicalco is also covered with reliefs of a feathered serpent.

The Aztecs Quetzalcoatl saw as a bearded and fair-skinned man; this probably refers to the Toltec king Ce Acatl, who took his name as a priest of the god Quetzalcoatl. In the Aztec codices he is represented in human - abstracted manner; here he often wears a star-shaped breastplate, which refers to the wandering star Venus.

Mythology

Toltec mythology

In the Toltec Quetzalcoatl was worshiped as the main and Creator God. The morning star was regarded as his heart. His brother and opponent was Tezcatlipoca.

Aztec mythology

In Aztec mythology, Quetzalcoatl is the god of the wind, the sky, the earth and a Creator God. It symbolizes the ocean. In Teotihuacán he was soon revered as a god of nature ( Temple of Quetzalcoatl ). His main sanctuary was in Cholula. He was considered the ruler of the Second World Age.

A tradition said, Quetzalcoatl had announced at his embarkation and departure for the mysterious Tlapallan to one day return over the Atlantic Ocean with his entourage to take his kingdom back into possession. This was one of the reasons why in the 16th century the ruler Moctezuma II the Spanish conquistadors under Hernán Cortés reluctant opposed resistance: he could not rule out having to do with the Messenger of God.

Other myths

Under the name Kukulcan Quetzalcoatl was worshiped among the Maya. The Quiché Indians in the highlands of Guatemala called him Q'uq'umatz; he is mentioned at various points in the Popol Vuh.

Pictures

Quetzalcoatl in the Codex Telleriano - Remensis

Quetzalcoatl in the Codex Borbonicus

Quetzalcoatl in the Codex Magliabechiano

Quetzalcoatl in the Codex Borgia

Trivia

Quetzalcoatl is one of the central characters in the novel ' The Feathered Serpent ' (orig. The Plumed Serpent ) by DH Lawrence. According to him also are an asteroid and the Upper Cretaceous pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus, the largest known airworthy animal of the earth's named.