For this week’s passion blog I’ll be researching a topic I know almost nothing about, so I apologize if it’s an overgeneralized pain of a read. As requested, I’ll be introducing the Mesoamerican deity Quetzalcoatl.
Names: Quetzalcoatl, Kukulkan, Gucumatz, and Ehecatl
Region: Mesoamerica
God of: Quetzalcoatl is considered the Creator God, as he created the world and mankind. He is also the god of wind and rain, as well as the patron god of priests and merchants.
Appearance: Quetzalcoatl is depicted as a plumed serpent, hence the origin of his name from the Nahuatl words quetzal (emerald bird) and coatl (serpent). One of the first depictions of the god was found at an Olmec site in La Venta, where the god is carved as a feather-crested,beaked serpent surrounded by two quetzal birds on each side. Prior to the Postclassical period (900CE to the Spanish conquest in the early 16th century), Quetzalcoatl was rarely depicted in human form. After 1200 CE, the god is displayed as a human wearing shell jewelry and a copilli (a conical hat). Usually, he wears a hat band adorned with sacrificial items like black and yellow feathers, a flower, and jade or spiral earrings (epcololli). If depicted as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl, a compound of Quetzalcoatl and Ehecatl, the god of air and winds, he is displayed as a canine-toothed human wearing a red, duck beak mask.
Origin Story: Quetzalcoatl has multiple origin stories varying across ancient Mesoamerican cultures. According to one legend, Quetzalcoatl is the son of the primordial god Ometeotl and brother of Tezcatlipoca, Huitzilopochtli, and Xipe Totec. However, he is also known to be the son of the virgin goddess Chimalman. Some myths say Chilmalman became pregnant with Quetzalcoatl after being visited by Onteol in a dream while others state she swallowed an emerald jewel or was shot in the abdomen with an arrow. Another version of Quetzalcoatl’s birth claims that he was a child of Coatlicue, the mother goddess who bore over 400 children and the Milky Way.
Associations and other important information: Quetzalcoatl, the 9th of the 13 Lords of the Day, is often associated with the city Cholula, a sacred site known for the 1200 CE pilgrimage. He is accredited with creating the calendar and finding maize at a mountain covered in grain and seed with the help of a giant red ant. Additionally, Quetzalcoatl is associated with the planet Venus, opossums, the morning star, learning, agriculture, crafts, and the colors black, red, blue, and white.
Together with Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl created the sun, rain gods, fire, and the first man and woman. After destroying Tlaltcuhtli, the two created the earth and sky by ripping the monster apart. In some myths, Tlaltcuhtli, or Cipactli, is angered by the loss of her body, therefore the sacrifice of blood and hearts was needed to appease her. In another creation myth, Quetzalcoatl creates mankind after going to remove bones from the underworld, which he does so by tricking the Mictlancihuatl (the gods of the underworld) and then giving the bones to the goddess Cihuacoatl to mix with corn and blood to make people. This is a very condensed version; click here if you’d like to read more about the creation myth.
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetzalcoatl
- https://www.dailykos.com/story/2020/3/1/1922866/-Ancient-Mesoamerica-The-Post-Classic Period#:~:text=The%20Post%2DClassic%20Period%20is,quality%20of%20art%20and%20architecture.
- https://www.ancient.eu/Quetzalcoatl/
I never know anything I post about in my blogs until I have to research it, so I totally understand haha. It is crazy to me how there is a whole world of myths and culture that I just don’t know about. I can’t wait to keep reading your blogs! Also, I may have said this last time, but the layout of your blog is *chef’s kiss* amazing. It is so easy to read and understand and doesn’t overwhelm me! Love it! And I must say his name really suits what he looks like.
Quetzalcoatl is beautiful so you better not be dissing him MARABELLE…. any who, I love Mesoamerican culture, especially that of the Aztecs, so this was a great blog to read, especially since it was my request! I’m mildly surprised both you and Marabelle took my requests… in the words of Sheev Palpatine: “A surprise to be sure but a welcome one”… and I agree with Marabelle, your blogs are *chef’s kiss* gorgeous.
As a junior in high school, I learned about the Mesoamerican cultures and religions, including the deity Quetzalcoatl. From that moment on, I have always thought that the Mesoamerican culture is an intriguing glimpse into the past. Based on what I can remember, I think the Aztecs worshipped Quetzalcoatl and performed sacrifices for the deity. The shear number of sacrifices performed by the Aztecs has always boggled my mind, but I think I can better understand the reason for all their sacrifices after reading your post. I think the story of Cipactli’s body and Quetzalcoatl could have easily spurred the Aztecs to habitually perform sacrifices. I’m sure there are other possible reasons as to why the Aztecs practiced sacrificial rituals, but the story of Cipactli and Quetzalcoatl is a potential explanation that is interesting to think about. Great post and I am excited to read the next one!
I am also very sorry if I am mistaken about the Aztecs worshiping Quetzalcoatl. My memory is a little foggy when it comes to history LOL.