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Quetzalcoatl and its legend

Reading time: 6 minutes

The world of mythology of the indigenous peoples of South America contains many fascinating stories about the reality around us. Quetzalcoatl, also known as Kukulkan or the Feathered Serpent, can tell us one of them.

People have always explained phenomena that are incomprehensible to them. The existence of supernatural forces guiding the fate of the world. It is worth noting how reality affects the shape and image of the gods in various cultures. The gods of the northern peoples were more selfish, spiteful and wilful. Southern peoples, on the other hand. They lived in an environment rich in fertile land and abundant natural resources. They believed in deities that were helpful and conducive to life. The Indian Gods are no different.

South America is a lush and diverse environment. It can be seen reflected in the culture and beliefs of the indigenous peoples. Indian mythology abounds with a variety of deities and mystical creatures. The world itself, as the legends say, was created by many gods.

One of the creators of the world was a Mesoamerican deity whose name comes from the Nahuatl language and means 'feathered serpent'. He had different names and nicknames depending on the region. In Aztec culture, he was known as Quetzalcoatl, Gucumatz, Votan, Ehecatl, as the god of the wind or Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, as the representative of the morning star. In Mayan culture he was known as Kukulcan. Quetzalcoatl sat in the pantheon of Aztec gods, alongside Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli. He was considered the god of wind, sky, earth, water, fertility , dawn, merchants, arts, crafts and knowledge. He was also the patron of the Aztec priesthood. The great importance of this god is evidenced, among other things, by the pyramid located in the ancient city of Teotihuacán in Mexico. It is the third largest structure and one of the oldest in Mesoamerica[1].

It is not known exactly when and which people created the cult of the Feathered Serpent. This is due to the culture of the time, which created its own states on the basis of previous ones. It erased the memory of them and presented their achievements as its own. However, it is known that the Olmec civilisation, the first civilisation of Mesoamerica, whose origins are dated to 1500 BC. They worshipped the image of a feathered dragon, which was the deity of the earth, agriculture, fertility and fire. The Olmec dragon was probably the protoplast of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl.

The myth of the creation of the world

It was in Teotihuacán, Mexico, according to beliefs. After the expiry of the fourth sun, which heralded the end of the world. The gods met to debate which of them should become the fifth sun. Thus extending the life of the world. Tecuciztecatl, the haughty and proud god, declared himself to be sacrificed. However, the other gods favoured Nanahuatzin, the smallest and humblest among them. The gods lit a great fire. At the last second, Tecuciztecatl refused to jump into the fire, overcome by fear of pain. Instead, Nanahuatzin jumped in. Embarrassed by Nanahuatzin's sacrifice, Tecuciztecatl followed him. Two suns rose in the sky, but together they were too bright. The gods threw a rabbit at Tecuciztecatl to dim its light. Thus the moon was created.[2] One legend says that Quetzalcoatl went to the underground world of Mictlan and created the current world of the fifth sun from the bones of previous races using his own blood.

The impact of colonisation on mythology

Quetzalcoatl appeared taking the form of a white bearded man. According to legends passed from mouth to mouth, he gave the people a calendar marking the days of the fifth sun. He created astronomy and mathematics. He taught people how to grow corn and cotton. It is worth noting some similarities in the story of the creation of the world with the Christian religion. Apart from the image of a white bearded man resembling Jesus. Quetzalcoatl was also born to a virgin. However, in this case she was a goddess. In the year 999, Quetzalcoatl left the Indians pledging prophecies to them. The feathered serpent foretold the arrival of white conquerors from across the ocean, who would overthrow the Indian gods by replacing them with their own, unspecified deity. He also foretold his reappearance in the year of the reed, falling every 52 years. Just over 500 years later in 1519 during the year of the reed. At the place where Quetzalcoatl foretold his reappearance. A ship appeared. Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés arrived in the Americas [3]. The prophecy came true in a perverse way. From the 16th century onwards, it was believed that the Aztec emperor Montezuma II initially believed the landing of Hernán Cortés. For the return of Quetzalcoatl. This view has been challenged by historians, who claim that no document has been found that originated independently of Spanish influence. Links between Quetzalcoatl and Cortés.[4] Nevertheless, this prophecy may have been the reason for overconfidence in the invaders and their easy entry into the hinterland.

Good god, bad followers

The exact meaning and characteristics of Quetzalcoatl vary somewhat between civilisations and throughout history. There are several stories about the birth of Quetzalcoatl. In one myth, Quetzalcoatl was born of a virgin named Chimalman, who was visited by the god Onteol in a dream. Another story relates that Chimalman was hit in the womb by an arrow shot by Mixcoatl the Aztec star god. Nine months later, she gave birth to a child whom she named after Quetzalcoatl. A third story tells of Quetzalcoatl's birth by the goddess Coatlicue, mother of the four hundred children who formed the stars of the Milky Way. According to another version of the myth, Quetzalcoatl is one of the four sons of Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, the four Tezcatlipocas, each presiding over one of the four major directions[5]. Quetzalcoatl was often considered the morning star god, while his twin brother Xolotl was considered the evening star (Venus). As the morning star, he was known by the title Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, which means 'lord of the dawn star'. Quetzalcoatl was also the patron saint of priests and the title of the Aztec twin high priests. The feathered serpent created a world full of peace and harmony, which earned him respect and recognition. Some legends describe him as being opposed to human sacrifice. Over time, his intentions were distorted and despite his outspoken opposition in his teachings. Human sacrifices were also offered on his altars. Quetzalcoatl ruled during one of the five eras of creation. During which he and his wife brought the last known race of humanity into existence. They then taught it to obtain food, make fire and offer sacrifices to the gods.

Precious gifts to humanity

One of the precious gifts received from the wind god was maize. A sacred food that formed the basis of the diet of the peoples of Mesoamerica. Interestingly, maize in the form of flour was used, as an ingredient in drinks. Mixed with cacao, which is also a gift from the feathered serpent, chilli peppers and other spices. It formed the basic beverage used daily by the Indians. Quetzalcoatl was considered the founder and patron of numerous ruling dynasties throughout Mesoamerica.[3] He also took the human form of Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl, who ruled Tollan, the Toltec kingdom idealised in Aztec mythology. Quetzalcoatl did not die with the conquest of the continent. He lives on in modern Indian thought and played a role in the formation of modern Mexican culture. It has also wandered deep into contemporary cults. Some Mormons believe that Quetzalcoatl was in fact Jesus Christ. According to the Book of Mormon, Jesus visited the American continent after his resurrection. Latter-day Saint scholar Brant Gardner, noted that during the Spanish conquest, Native Americans and sympathetic Catholic priests felt pressure to associate Native American beliefs with Christianity, making Native Americans appear more human and less savage[6]. Various theories about Quetzalcoatl have circulated among followers of the New Age movement, especially since the publication of Tony Shearer's book Lord of the dawn: Quetzalcoatl and the Tree of Life in 1971.

Did the Feathered Serpent really create the world? Has our knowledge of his worship warped over the centuries? Some questions we will never find the answers to. Others we will find the answers with the help of science and the hard work of researchers and anthropologists.

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[1] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264589765_CulturalEthnology_Quetzalcoatl_and_the_Irony_of_Empire_Myths_and_Prophecies_in_the_Aztec_Tradition
[2] Doyle, Diana (2004). "Aztec and Mayan Mythology". Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute.
[3] https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1337&context=jbms
[4] Restall, Matthew (2003). Seven myths of the Spanish conquest . Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press . ISBN 0-19-516077-0 . OCLC 51022823 .
[5] LaFaye, Jacques (1987). Quetzalcoatl and Guadalupe: The Formation of Mexican National Consciousness, 1531–1813 (New ed.). University of Chicago Press. p. 140. ISBN 978-0226467887
[6] Wirth, Diane E. (2002) "Quetzalcoatl, the Maya Maize God, and Jesus Christ," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies: Vol. 11 : No. 1 , Article 3

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