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[[Image:lighterstill.jpg]][[Image:Quet2.jpg|right|frame|<center>fr. [http://weber.ucsd.edu/~anthclub/quetzalcoatl/image.htm Anthropology Department, UCSD]</center>]]

[[Image:lighterstill.jpg]][[Image:Quet2.jpg|right|frame|<center>fr. [https://weber.ucsd.edu/~anthclub/quetzalcoatl/image.htm Anthropology Department, UCSD]</center>]]

'''Quetzalcoatl''' (Quetzalcōhuātl - pronounced|ke.ʦal.ˈkoː.waːtɬ) is an [[Aztec]] sky and creator [[deity|god]]. The name is a combination of ''quetzal'', a brightly colored Mesoamerican bird, and ''coatl'', meaning serpent. The name was also taken on by various ancient leaders. Due to their cyclical view of [[time]] and the tendency of leaders to revise histories to support their rule, many events and attributes attributed to Quetzalcoatl are exceedingly difficult to separate from the political leaders that took this name on themselves.[http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/display.php?table=jbms&id=298&previous=L3B1YmxpY2F0aW9ucy9ib29rb2Ztb3Jtb252aWV3LnBocA== Quetzalcoatl is often referred to as ''The Feathered Serpent'' and was connected to the planet [[Venus]]. He was also the patron god of the Aztec priesthood, of learning and [[knowledge]]. Today Quetzalcoatl is arguably the best known Aztec deity, and is often thought to have been the principal Aztec god. However, Quetzalcoatl was one of several important gods in the Aztec pantheon along with the gods [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tlaloc Tlaloc], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tezcatlipoca Tezcatlipoca] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huitzilopochtli Huitzilopochtli].  

'''Quetzalcoatl''' (Quetzalcōhuātl - pronounced|ke.ʦal.ˈkoː.waːtɬ) is an [[Aztec]] sky and creator [[deity|god]]. The name is a combination of ''quetzal'', a brightly colored Mesoamerican bird, and ''coatl'', meaning serpent. The name was also taken on by various ancient leaders. Due to their cyclical view of [[time]] and the tendency of leaders to revise histories to support their rule, many events and attributes attributed to Quetzalcoatl are exceedingly difficult to separate from the political leaders that took this name on themselves.[https://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/display.php?table=jbms&id=298&previous=L3B1YmxpY2F0aW9ucy9ib29rb2Ztb3Jtb252aWV3LnBocA== Quetzalcoatl is often referred to as ''The Feathered Serpent'' and was connected to the planet [[Venus]]. He was also the patron god of the Aztec priesthood, of learning and [[knowledge]]. Today Quetzalcoatl is arguably the best known Aztec deity, and is often thought to have been the principal Aztec god. However, Quetzalcoatl was one of several important gods in the Aztec pantheon along with the gods [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tlaloc Tlaloc], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tezcatlipoca Tezcatlipoca] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huitzilopochtli Huitzilopochtli].  

Several other Mesoamerican cultures are known to have worshipped a feathered serpent god: At [[Teotihuacan]] the several monumental structures are adorned with images of a feathered serpent (Notably the so-called "Citadel and Temple of Quetzalcoatl"[http://gomexico.about.com/od/ancientsites/ss/teotihuacan_2.htm The Citadel and Temple of Quetzalcoatl - Teotihuacan Tour]. Such imagery is also prominent at such sites as [[Chichen Itza]] and [[Tula (Hidalgo)|Tula]]. This has led scholars to conclude that the deity called Quetzalcoatl in the Nahuatl language was among the most important deities of [[Mesoamerica]]. Additonally, Quetzalcoatl was sometimes conflated with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topiltzin_Ce_Acatl_Quetzalcoatl Topiltzin Ce Acatl Quetzalcoatl], a semi-legendary 10th century [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toltec Toltec] ruler.

Several other Mesoamerican cultures are known to have worshipped a feathered serpent god: At [[Teotihuacan]] the several monumental structures are adorned with images of a feathered serpent (Notably the so-called "Citadel and Temple of Quetzalcoatl"[https://gomexico.about.com/od/ancientsites/ss/teotihuacan_2.htm The Citadel and Temple of Quetzalcoatl - Teotihuacan Tour]. Such imagery is also prominent at such sites as [[Chichen Itza]] and [[Tula (Hidalgo)|Tula]]. This has led scholars to conclude that the deity called Quetzalcoatl in the Nahuatl language was among the most important deities of [[Mesoamerica]]. Additonally, Quetzalcoatl was sometimes conflated with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topiltzin_Ce_Acatl_Quetzalcoatl Topiltzin Ce Acatl Quetzalcoatl], a semi-legendary 10th century [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toltec Toltec] ruler.

== Antecedents and origins ==

== Antecedents and origins ==

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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixtec Mixtec] and [[Aztec]], who adopted it from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toltec Toltec], who in turn had adopted it from the people of [[Teotihuacan]], and the Maya.

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 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixtec Mixtec] and [[Aztec]], who adopted it from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toltec Toltec], who in turn had adopted it from the people of [[Teotihuacan]], and the Maya.

The cult of the serpent in Mesoamerica is very old; there are representations of snakes with bird-like characteristics as old as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olmec Olmec] preclassic (1150-500 BC). The snake represents the earth and vegetation, but it was in [[Teotihuacan]] (around 150 CE) where the snake got the precious feathers of the quetzal, as seen in the Murals of the city. The most elaborate representations come from the old Quetzalcoatl Temple around 200 CE, which shows a rattlesnake with the long green feathers of the quetzal.

The cult of the serpent in Mesoamerica is very old; there are representations of snakes with bird-like characteristics as old as the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olmec Olmec] preclassic (1150-500 BC). The snake represents the earth and vegetation, but it was in [[Teotihuacan]] (around 150 CE) where the snake got the precious feathers of the quetzal, as seen in the Murals of the city. The most elaborate representations come from the old Quetzalcoatl Temple around 200 CE, which shows a rattlesnake with the long green feathers of the quetzal.

Teotihuacan was dedicated to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tlaloc Tlaloc], the water god, at the same time Quetzalcoatl, as a snake, was a representation of the fertility of the earth, and it was subordinate to Tlaloc. As the cult evolved, it became independent.

Teotihuacan was dedicated to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tlaloc Tlaloc], the water god, at the same time Quetzalcoatl, as a snake, was a representation of the fertility of the earth, and it was subordinate to Tlaloc. As the cult evolved, it became independent.

In time Quetzalcoatl was mixed with other gods and acquired their attributes. Quetzalcoatl is often associated with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehecatl Ehecatl], the wind god, and represents the forces of nature, and is also associated with the morning star ([[Venus]]). Quetzalcoatl became a representation of the rain, the celestial water and their associated winds, while Tlaloc would be the god of earthly water, the water in lakes, caverns and rivers, and also of vegetation. Eventually Quetzalcoatl was transformed into one of the gods of the creation.

In time Quetzalcoatl was mixed with other gods and acquired their attributes. Quetzalcoatl is often associated with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehecatl Ehecatl], the wind god, and represents the forces of nature, and is also associated with the morning star ([[Venus]]). Quetzalcoatl became a representation of the rain, the celestial water and their associated winds, while Tlaloc would be the god of earthly water, the water in lakes, caverns and rivers, and also of vegetation. Eventually Quetzalcoatl was transformed into one of the gods of the creation.

The Teotihuacan influence took the god to the Mayas, who adopted him as ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kukulk%C3%A1n Kukulkán]''. The Maya regarded him as a being who would transport the gods.

The Teotihuacan influence took the god to the Mayas, who adopted him as ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kukulk%C3%A1n Kukulkán]''. The Maya regarded him as a being who would transport the gods.

In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xochicalco Xochicalco] (700-900 CE), the political class began to claim that they ruled in the name of Quetzalcoatl, and representations of the god became more human. They influenced the Toltec, and the Toltec rulers began to use the name of Quetzalcoatl. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toltec Toltec]] represented Quetzalcoatl as man, with god-like attributes, and these attributes were also associated with their rulers.

In [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xochicalco Xochicalco] (700-900 CE), the political class began to claim that they ruled in the name of Quetzalcoatl, and representations of the god became more human. They influenced the Toltec, and the Toltec rulers began to use the name of Quetzalcoatl. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toltec Toltec]] represented Quetzalcoatl as man, with god-like attributes, and these attributes were also associated with their rulers.

The most famous of those rulers was Topiltzin Ce Acatl Quetzalcoatl. Ce Acatl means "one reed" and is the calendaric name of the ruler (923 - 947), whose legends became almost inseparable from accounts of the god. The Toltecs would associate Quetzalcoatl with their own god, Tezcatlipoca, and make them equal and enemies.  

The most famous of those rulers was Topiltzin Ce Acatl Quetzalcoatl. Ce Acatl means "one reed" and is the calendaric name of the ruler (923 - 947), whose legends became almost inseparable from accounts of the god. The Toltecs would associate Quetzalcoatl with their own god, Tezcatlipoca, and make them equal and enemies.  

The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nahua Nahua]s would take the legends of Quetzalcoatl and mix them with their own. Quetzalcoatl would be considered the originator of the arts, poetry and all knowledge. The figure of Ce Acatl would become inseparable from the image of the god.

The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nahua Nahua]s would take the legends of Quetzalcoatl and mix them with their own. Quetzalcoatl would be considered the originator of the arts, poetry and all knowledge. The figure of Ce Acatl would become inseparable from the image of the god.

Speculative literature has also associated Quetzalcoatl with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Votan Votan], a culture hero mentioned in a 1702 account of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzeltal Tzeltal] beliefs and practices in Chiapas by Bishop Nuñez de la Vega.

Speculative literature has also associated Quetzalcoatl with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Votan Votan], a culture hero mentioned in a 1702 account of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzeltal Tzeltal] beliefs and practices in Chiapas by Bishop Nuñez de la Vega.

== Religion and ritual ==

== Religion and ritual ==

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.

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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucat%C3%A1n Yucatán] 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 Culhuacano woman [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimalman Chimalman], or of their descent.  

One noted Post-Classic Toltec ruler was named Quetzalcoatl; he may be the same individual as the Kukulcan who invaded [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucat%C3%A1n Yucatán] 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 Culhuacano woman [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimalman Chimalman], or of their descent.  

It is believed that the Toltecs had a dualistic belief system. Quetzalcoatl's opposite was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tezcatlipoca Tezcatlipoca], who, in one legend, sent Quetzalcoatl into exile. Alternatively, he left willingly on a raft of snakes, promising to return.

It is believed that the Toltecs had a dualistic belief system. Quetzalcoatl's opposite was [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tezcatlipoca Tezcatlipoca], who, in one legend, sent Quetzalcoatl into exile. Alternatively, he left willingly on a raft of snakes, promising to return.

The Aztecs turned him into a symbol of dying and resurrection and a patron of priests. When the Aztecs adopted the culture of the Toltecs, they made twin gods of Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl, opposite and equal; Quetzalcoatl was also called White Tezcatlipoca, to contrast him to the black Tezcatlipoca. Together, they created the world; Tezcatlipoca lost his foot in that process.

The Aztecs turned him into a symbol of dying and resurrection and a patron of priests. When the Aztecs adopted the culture of the Toltecs, they made twin gods of Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl, opposite and equal; Quetzalcoatl was also called White Tezcatlipoca, to contrast him to the black Tezcatlipoca. Together, they created the world; Tezcatlipoca lost his foot in that process.

His birth, along with his twin [[Xolotl]], was unusual; it was a [[virgin birth]], to the goddess [[Coatlicue]]. Alternatively, he was a son of [[Xochiquetzal]] and [[Mixcoatl]].

His birth, along with his twin [[Xolotl]], was unusual; it was a [[virgin birth]], to the goddess [[Coatlicue]]. Alternatively, he was a son of [[Xochiquetzal]] and [[Mixcoatl]].

One [[Aztec]] story claims that Quetzalcoatl was seduced by Tezcatlipoca into becoming drunk and sleeping with a celibate priestess, and then burned himself to death out of remorse. His heart became the morning star (see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli]).

One [[Aztec]] story claims that Quetzalcoatl was seduced by Tezcatlipoca into becoming drunk and sleeping with a celibate priestess, and then burned himself to death out of remorse. His heart became the morning star (see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli]).

== Moctezuma controversy ==

== Moctezuma controversy ==

== See also ==

== See also ==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huitzilopochtli Huitzilopochtli]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huitzilopochtli Huitzilopochtli]

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tezcatlipoca Tezcatlipoca]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tezcatlipoca Tezcatlipoca]

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetzalcoatlus Quetzalcoatlus]], a pterosaur from the [[Late Cretaceous]] named after Quetzalcoatl

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetzalcoatlus Quetzalcoatlus]], a pterosaur from the [[Late Cretaceous]] named after Quetzalcoatl

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: History]]

[[Category: History]]