Read complete books and articles on: Quetzalcoatl

Quetzalcoatl - kĕtˌsälkôätˈəl [Nahuatl,=feathered serpent], ancient deity and legendary ruler of the Toltec in Mexico. The name is also that of a Toltec ruler, who is credited with the discovery of corn, the arts, science, and the calendar. It is unclear whether the ruler took his name from the god or as a great ruler was

Quetzalcoatl, god of civilization, was identified with the planet Venus and with the wind; he represented the forces of good and light pitted against those of evil and darkness, which were championed by Tezcatlipoca. According to one epic legend, Quetzalcoatl, deceived by Tezcatlipoca, was driven from Tula, the Toltec capital, and wandered for many years until he reached his homeland, the east coast of Mexico—where he was consumed by divine fire, his ashes turning into birds and his heart becoming the morning star. Another version has him sailing off to a mythical land, leaving behind the promise of his return. Adopting the name, the Aztec linked it with the worship of the war god Huitzilopotchtli and applied it to some of their ranking priests. Montezuma viewed the Spanish invaders as the returning hosts of Quetzalcoatl. There is a great pyramid in honor of the deity at Cholula, and the sky-serpent motif in the mosaics at Mitla probably represents Quetzalcoatl. The famous Temple of Quetzalcoatl at Teotihuacán is now regarded by some authorities as having been consecrated to a different god.

It is likely that the figure who gave rise to the legendary Quetzalcoatl was an ancestor of his Maya counterpart, Kulkulcán. The Toltec of Tula moved southward, settled in SW Campeche, and in the 10th cent. under the leadership of Kulkulcán, a historical figure, occupied Chichén Itzá and founded the cities of Uxmal and Mayapán. Although probably assimilated into the Maya culture by this time, the invaders still employed Mexican architectural motifs (especially the feathered serpent) extensively. After the death of Kulkulcán he became the patron deity of Chichén Itzá, and most of the temples were dedicated to him. The symbol for both Quetzalcoatl and Kulkulcán, the serpent with quetzal feathers, has an obvious connection with serpent worship.

See L. Séjourné, Burning Water (tr. 1957).

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10 of the Best Books and Articles on: Quetzalcoatl

as selected by Questia librarians

1.

Legends of the Plumed Serpent: Biography of a Mexican God (Chap. IX "Quetzalcoatl's Many Faces") » Read Now
by Neil Baldwin. 205 pgs.

Collections: History, Entire Library

In an erudite tour of the archaeological treasures of Mexico, Neil Baldwin explores the unusual biography of a myth and a detailed cultural history. Color photos.
2.

Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl: The Once and Future Lord of the Toltecs » Read Now
by H. B. Nicholson. 360 pgs.

Collections: History, Entire Library
3.

Mesoamerica's Classic Heritage: From Teotihuacan to the Aztecs (Chap. 3 "Teotihuacan as an Origin for Postclassic Feathered Serpent Symbolism") » Read Now
by David Carrasco, Lindsay Jones, Scott Sessions. 559 pgs.

Collections: History, Entire Library
4.

Man-Gods in the Mexican Highlands: Indian Power and Colonial Society, 1520-1800 (Chap. 1 "From Quetzalcoatl to Motecuhzoma and Back") » Read Now
by Serge Gruzinski, Eileen Corrigan. 230 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, History, Entire Library
5.

Mindsteps to the Cosmos (Chap. Four "The Morning Star") » Read Now
by Gerald S. Hawkins. 345 pgs.

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6.

Mesoamerican Architecture as a Cultural Symbol ("The Ciudadela, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, and Rulership" begins on p. 88) » Read Now
by Jeff Karl Kowalski. 416 pgs.

Collections: History, Entire Library

In this collection, prominent scholars provide new interpretations and useful syntheses of many of the most significant Mesoamerican architectural traditions from the Preclassic to the Postclassic periods. The essays examine the built environment as a carrier of cultural meanings. The many...
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In this collection, prominent scholars provide new interpretations and useful syntheses of many of the most significant Mesoamerican architectural traditions from the Preclassic to the Postclassic periods. The essays examine the built environment as a carrier of cultural meanings. The many pyramid-temples, palaces, and ballcourts comprising Mesoamerican centers were constructed in the context of hierarchical societies, and provided monumental expressions of elite authority. The design of individual buildings, as well as the layout of site plans, often embodied Mesoamerican beliefs about the structure of the cosmos, natural forces, or the numinous power of landscape forms, thus providing sanction for the sociopolitical order.
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7.

Mythology: The Voyage of the Hero ("Chimalman and Quetzalcoatl" begins on p. 18) » Read Now
by David Adams Leeming. 270 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Literature, Entire Library

Leeming illustrates the various stages or rites of passage of the mythic universal hero, from birth to childhood, through trial and quest, death, descent, rebirth, and ascension. The arrangement of texts by themes such as "Childhood, Initiation and Divine Signs," "The Descent to the Underworld," and...
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Leeming illustrates the various stages or rites of passage of the mythic universal hero, from birth to childhood, through trial and quest, death, descent, rebirth, and ascension. The arrangement of texts by themes such as "Childhood, Initiation and Divine Signs," "The Descent to the Underworld," and "Resurrection and Rebirth" strip mythic characters of their many national and cultural "masks" to reveal their archetypal aspects. Real figures, including Jesus and Mohammed, are also included underlining the theory that myths are real and can be applied to real life. This edition is updated to include additional heroine myths, as well as Navajo, Indonesian, Indian, Chinese, and African tales.
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8.

The Wisdom of the Serpent: The Myths of Death, Rebirth and Resurrection (1963) ("The Disappearance of Quetzalcoatl" begins on p. 162) » Read Now
by Joseph L. Henderson, Maud Oakes. 262 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

...Baptism Christian 160 The Disappearance of Quetzalcoatl Aztec 162 Prince Lindworm European...collection of Maud Oakes. 119 13. The God Quetzalcoatl. From Edward Seler...
9.

The Millennial New World ("Quetzalcoatl and Saint Thomas" begins on p. 180) » Read Now
by Frank Graziano. 368 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

Much has been written about millennialism in the U.S. and its European roots. But although it is widely recognized that millennialism is also endemic to Latin America, until now there has been no systematic study of this phenomenon as it has flourished in that part of the world. Graziano here offers...
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Much has been written about millennialism in the U.S. and its European roots. But although it is widely recognized that millennialism is also endemic to Latin America, until now there has been no systematic study of this phenomenon as it has flourished in that part of the world. Graziano here offers the first such study, examining Latin American millennialism from its Iberian and indigenous antecedents to present social, revolutionary, religious, and political movements.
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10.

Mexico Before Cortez: Art, History, Legend (1963) (Discussion of Quetzalcoatl begins on p. 57) » Read Now
by Ignacio Bernal, Willis Barnstone. 142 pgs.

Collections: History, Entire Library

...the Sun. VIII The Temple of Quetzalcoatl in Teotihua can. Detail. IX...snake-bird-god flourished, that is, Quetzalcoatl, or the snake, tiger-god Tlaloc, god...middle of...