Quetzalcoatl: "The Feathered Serpent" |
Quetzalcoatl in human form, Codex Borbonicus |
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Origins of Quetzalcoatl Monument 19, La Venta Earliest known representation of a feathered serpent in Mesoamerica. The origin of the god Quetzalcoatl was thought to be a man named Ce Acatl Topiltzin, the son of a great northern Chichimec leader during the era of the Toltecs. He eventually made his way to the city of Tula and became the religious and political leader. The title of this position was "Quetzalcoatl." Under Topiltzin's leadership, arts and sciences flourished. Tula experienced a golden age of art, including excellence in production of feather-work, metallurgy, and sculpture. However, Huemac, the leader of the Toltec dynasty, became resentful of the success of Tula, and allegedly with the aid of the god Tezcatlipoca, forced Quetzalcoatl to flee the city, promising to return in the year Ce Acatl. The collapse of the city of Tula followed in 1170 A.D. (Broda, Carrasco, Moctezuma 1987) Quetzalcoatl in Aztec LegendIn Aztec legend, Quetzalcoatl is a god who came from heaven to dwell on Earth among people. He formed a prosperous dominion and lived there in celibacy as a priest for many years. Quetzalcoatl is described as a sexually potent being, who was active and vigorous, but had pent up his energies while on earth. One night during a great feast, Quetzalcoatl was given a strong drink laced with magic mushrooms by the god Tezcatlipoca. He was tempted by the demonic goddess Tlazoteotl and copulated with her. Forced by shame and guilt to flee the city, Quetzalcoatl gave up his palaces and went to the sea, where he constructed a boat of serpent skins and sailed towards the sunrise. The boat became so hot as it neared the sunrise that it ignited, and Quetzalcoatl's heart rose to join the sun. This event is believed to be marked by an actual solar eclipse, dating to July 16, 750 AD (Prescott 1970). |
Significance to Aztec PeopleQuetzalcoatl was of particular importance to the Aztec people because of his direct relation to the Toltec line. It was from this line that the right to rule was drawn in Mesoamerican society. The Aztecs in particular had need to justify their divine right to leadership, and were very deliberate in marrying their rulers to princesses of Toltec descent (Bernal 1980).From an ideological standpoint, Quetzalcoatl the god was seen as the Lord of the Morning Star. In Aztec tradition it was customary to offer two drops of blood from the ear when one saw the Morning Star (Prescott 1970). Quetzalcoatl was also strongly associated with the planet Venus and represented healing, magical herbs, beauty and poetry. He held the title of Lord of the Winds, and breathed life into all things of beauty. He is attributed with bringing inspiration to artists (Weaver 1993). Quetzalcoatl was known as the Lord of Life, and granted penitence and occasional exemption from blood sacrifice. He was seen as possessing great wisdom and love (Miller, Taube 1993). In modern Mexico, the figure of Quetzalcoatl often replaces that of Santa Claus during Christmas and New Years. He is depicted as clothed in a plume of feathers, wearing a mask representing his role as the bringer of life and happiness and gifts (Prescott 1970). Duality of QuetzalcoatlQuetzalcoatl is unique in Mesoamerican mythology because of his dual human and godly natures, as well as his longevity. His prophesy and promise of return held fast from the fall of the Toltec Empire to that of the Aztec Empire (Bernal 1980). He is still present in Mexican culture today, which is best shown through the frescoes of Jose Clemente Orozco, who depicts him as a great wind-like power. Interestingly, Quetzalcoatl now symbolizes a wind force which will destroy and clear out the past and usher in a new era of hope for Mexico and all of mankind (Weaver 1993).
Probable Connection to Spanish ConquestIn the prophecies upon his departure, Quetzalcoatl vowed to return to reclaim his throne in the year Ce Acatl. This date, along with the light-skinned appearances of the Spanish conquistadors, may have led the Aztecs to believe that Cortes and his men were in fact the returning deity, providing the Spanish with a temporary advantage against Moctezuma II and his people (Miller, Taube 1993). "You have graciously come on earth, you have graciously approached your
water, your high place of Mexico, you have come down to your mat, your
throne, which I have briefly kept for you, I who used to keep it for
you... You have graciously arrived, you have known pain, you have
known weariness, now come on earth, take your rest, enter into your
palace, rest your limbs; may our lords come on earth." - Moctezuma II, Florentine Codex |
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