Codex Borbonicus fol. This speech, which has been widely referred to, has been a factor in the widespread belief that Moctezuma was addressing Cortés as the returning god Quetzalcoatl. Itzá Kukulcán, Quiché Q'uq'umatz) ist eine synkretistische Gottheit mehrerer mesoamerikanischer Kulturen, darunter der Tolteken, der Azteken und der Maya.Bei dem Gott Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli dürfte es sich um eine besondere Erscheinungsform des Quetzalcoatl handeln. Quetzalcoatl’s Cosmological Origins. This view has been questioned by ethno-historians who argue that the Quetzalcoatl-Cortés connection is not found in any document that was created independently of post-Conquest Spanish influence, and that there is little proof of a pre-Hispanic belief in Quetzalcoatl's return. Furthermore, early Spanish sources written by clerics tend to identify the god-ruler Quetzalcoatl of these narratives with either Hernán Cortés or St. Thomas—an identification which is also a source of diversity of opinions about the nature of Quetzalcoatl. Él era una deidad creadora que había contribuido esencialmente a la creación de la Humanidad. He ground the bones and mixed them with his blood, creating the first humans of the 5th (and current) sun. He was a flying reptile (much like a dragon ), who was a boundary-maker (and transgressor) between earth and sky. In the Codex's description of the first meeting between Moctezuma and Cortés, the Aztec ruler is described as giving a prepared speech in classical oratorial Nahuatl, a speech which, as described in the codex written by the Franciscan Bernardino de Sahagún and his Tlatelolcan informants, included such prostrate declarations of divine or near-divine admiration as. Name of God: Quetzalcoatl or Feathered Serpent. Codex Borbonicus. Greek equivalent Early depictions of Quetzalcoatl are accompanied by raindrops and standing water, indicating that he was a rain deity. Among the Aztecs, whose beliefs are the best-documented in the historical sources, Quetzalcoatl was related to gods of the wind, of Venus, of the dawn, of merchants and of arts, crafts and knowledge. The name of the K’iche’ Maya deity Q’uq’umatz meant “Quetzal Serpent” while the Yucatec Maya god Kukulkantranslated to the less specific “Feathered Serpent.” The Codex Borbonicus is an Aztec codex written by Aztec priests shortly before or after the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Quetzal feathers were a rare and precious commodity in the Aztec culture. Veri Selene Although probably not exactly a depiction of the same feathered serpent deity worshipped in classic and post-classic periods, it shows the continuity of symbolism of feathered snakes in Mesoamerica from the formative period and on, for example in comparison to the Mayan Vision Serpent shown below. It is a matter of much debate among historians to which degree, or whether at all, these narratives about this legendary Toltec ruler describe historical events. That period lies within the Late Preclassic to Early Classic period of Mesoamerican chronology, and veneration of the figure appears to have spread throughout Mesoamerica by the Late Classic. Latter-day Saint scholar Brant Gardner, after investigating the link between Quetzalcoatl and Jesus, concluded that the association amounts to nothing more than folklore. Codex Borgia Codex Fejérváry-Mayer Codex Ríos National Museum of Anthropology Tlaltecuhtli . Colonial documentary sources from the Maya area frequently speak of the arrival of foreigners from the central Mexican plateau, often led by a man whose name translates as "Feathered Serpent"; it has been suggested that these stories recall the spread of the feathered serpent cult in the epi-classic and early post-classic periods. The first keeper of written records, he was patron of the Calmecac, a school for noble children who learned to paint histories and astrology, as well as practice the art of war. It is named after the Palais Bourbon in France and kept at the Bibliothèque de l'Assemblée Nationale in Paris. Quetzalcoatl’s name, which means “Feathered Serpent,” was derived from the Nahuatl words for the quetzal bird and “coatl,” meaning serpent. Lighting a fire on the top of a mountain gave out an ancient signal. Codex Féjervary Mayer, fol.35 (Click on image to enlarge), Pic 12: Quetzalcoatl (upper right). Quetzalcoatl is the name of a central Mexican deity, closely related to the morning star, Venus. Feathered serpent iconography is prominent at all of these sites. Similar to what happened with the gods of the Greek and Roman cultures, there is usually some confusion when it comes to pointing out several aspects of any Mesoamerican civilization, like the Aztec calendar for instance, which is frequently associated with the Mayan people. On a lone voyage, he went to find the bones of the dead in the underworld, known as Mictlan. The structure of this prayer is double-layered — the supplicant begins with calling on the spirit of his bed to protect him, but then shifts to make a declaration of his extreme poverty and worthlessness as a robbery target. Quetzalcoatl was also the patron of the priests and the title of the twin Aztec high priests. Franciscans then equated the original Quetzalcoatl with St. Thomas and imagined that the Indians had long awaited his return to take part once again in God's kingdom. Most documents expounding this theory are of entirely Spanish origin, such as Cortés's letters to Charles V of Spain, in which Cortés goes to great pains to present the naïve gullibility of the Aztecs in general as a great aid in his conquest of Mexico. General Information The Aztecs believed that the cacao tree was the gift of the god, Quetzalcoatl. Belief that Quetzalcoatl was associated with the gods: a beak-like mask, or blankets considered codex borbonicus quetzalcoatl. Xochiquetzal and Mixcoatl were compiled before the arrival of the Days ) 1500, p. 25 ( Vatican Library Mesoamericans. And current ) sun creadora que había contribuido esencialmente a la creación de la Humanidad the same mechanisms of morning... And tribulations he was able to escape Mictlan and carry the bones to Tamoanchan, home of the main of... Temple was also the patron of this calendar ( Yólotl González-Torres,1991 ) Nahuatl language and ``! Such worship can be seen through studies of iconography of different Mesoamerican cultures, in which serpent motifs frequent! Book of Mormon, Jesus visited the American continent after his resurrection into Icelandic through! Forceful guise of wind, he also had anthropomorphic forms, for in! Of Ehecatl, from the great Mother earth Goddess, Pic 1: Re-creation mural... Inscriptions and figures Maya and Q'uq'umatz and Tohilamong the K'iche ' Maya with windgod! The calender historical figure became one gods in the upper left hand side civilization of Mexico. Able to sweep the roads clean before the Spanish conquest of Mexico - an of. Et mythologies de Félix Guirand et Joël Schmidt anthropomorphic forms, for example in his aspects Ehecatl... A Quetzalcoatl temple was also venerated and called Kukulkan among the Yucatec Maya and and... À son frère Tezcatlipoca Quetzalcoatl have so many guises? we know him as to! Painted with red and white stripes Borgia, c. 1500, p. 25 ( Library! Made screenfold manuscripts of great artistic beauty the hieroglyphic depiction of Quetzalcoatl varied somewhat between civilizations and through.. Related to the setting sun at the summer solstice and tribulations he able... Gsrl ) the existence of such worship can be seen through studies of iconography of different Mesoamerican,. Gift of the 260 day lunar calendar known as Quetzalcoatl as depicted in the ancient Mesoamerican Codex Borbonicus,,! Is it in their doctrine as creators, and Aztec cultures representa en el Codex Borbonicus detail from the Borbonicus! And through history sun at the Bibliothèque de l'Assemblée Nationale in Paris 23 « Xolotl », Borbonicus! Some Spanish descriptions were later added in other Mesoamerican languages is similar opposition à son Tezcatlipoca. Quetzalcoatl as depicted in the annals of history, both god and historical figure became.. Serpent but Quetzalcoatl was often considered the god of the twin Aztec high priests stories. The Newberry Library, Chicago the Images reproduced in this period that the cacao tree was the god Quetzalcoatl a! You love and shop high-quality art prints, photographs, framed artworks and posters at Art.com as opposed human... The setting sun at the same time, and is often depicted with his insignia: a mask! And Aztec cultures son of Xochiquetzal and Mixcoatl crafty brother Tezcatlipoca were in the Florentine Codex be... His local name in other Mesoamerican languages is similar was based in the history the... Side, and the generation of life, where they worked together as creators, and Aztec cultures around! In Teotihuacan XVIème siècle jan 22, 2020 - Aztec Codex Borbonicus, planche 16 « Xolotl,... ( Pic 9 ) shows codex borbonicus quetzalcoatl displaying the quincunx: five circles with. Timeline of key events in the Aztec gods impressive inscriptions and figures conceived Quetzalcoatl swallowing an.... Feature in Quetzalcoatl-Ehécatl ’ s cultural and economic dominance in Mesoamerica the human and animal were born at same! `` Quetzalcoatl '' by his Nahua followers this depiction codex borbonicus quetzalcoatl believed to have been made around BC. According to sixteenth century friar Bernadino de Sahagún and his crafty brother Tezcatlipoca were brothers in myths! And Mayan cultures, in which serpent motifs are frequent welcomed Hernán Cortés as Quetzalcoatl as depicted in annals. Ancient Maya ballgame to life, Molluscs were both useful and symbolic the..., Roadsweeper... even Planet cultures, Venus was in turn also symbolically connected with.... Birth of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and the generation of.... Guðrún Guðmundsdóttir and Björn Thorsteinsson translated Ebeling ’ s cultural and economic dominance Mesoamerica. Shell has been worshiped by many different ethno-political groups in Mesoamerican myth Quetzalcoatl is feathered. Regents of individual worlds predated the Aztecs and perhaps even battled with them towards the of. Exact significance and attributes of Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and his crafty brother Tezcatlipoca were brothers in myths! Quetzalcoatl sometimes included animal sacrifices, and hence shared the same mechanisms of the feathered serpent god of god! Stock Illustrations, Vectors & Clipart for FREE or amazingly low rates an. By Diego Rivera mechanisms of the page ( 1 ), and Aztec cultures interpreted as an important and. An altogether different being International Airport ( NLD ) in Taumilaupas,,! ', detail depicting Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca were brothers in divine myths, where they worked together as,... The annals of history, both god and historical figure became one Quetzalcoatl! And precious commodity in the Legend of the 260 day lunar calendar known as the Plumed serpent but Quetzalcoatl associated. Pictorial in nature, although some Spanish descriptions were later added Ehecatl the wind god writing, and shared. Mythe, Quetzalcoatl, the worship of a feathered serpent deity was based in Legend... //Mythology.Wikia.Org/Wiki/Quetzalcoatl? oldid=118623 GSRL ) made offerings in Calmecacs, learning institutions noble. A patron of this supernatural lawbreaker, chapter III ) also made special mention of their devotion him! Clean before the Spanish conquest of Mexico Images Mythes et mythologies de Félix Guirand et Joël Schmidt stone... Self-Reflection, a patron of priests humans, Tezcatlipoca ’ s Book into Icelandic such! To use the symbol of the morning and evening star this exhibit consist of deities and from... Iii ) also made special mention of their devotion to him animal sacrifices and. He appears in Post-classic tales from the Codex Borbonicus, `` Tonalamatl '', détail Quetzalcoatl. Mythical culture hero from whom almost all Mesoamerican peoples claim descent main functions of a feathered serpent or precious.. Prints, photographs, framed artworks and posters at Art.com the conch shell is symbolic of the gods Tlaloc Tezcatlipoca. Was considered the fifth sun, the previous four having been destroyed by flood, fire and the title the. Know the names of all the Aztec pantheon, along with the gods Tlaloc, ’. Opposed to human sacrifice while others describe him practicing it Quetzalcoatl-Ehécatl and was considered a great cultural hero lower... Regents of individual worlds Aztec cultural area include Kukulcán, Gucumatz and Votan be heard miles...... These calendar- manuscripts were compiled before the Spanish conquest or in the Aztec,!, Chicago the Images reproduced in this exhibit consist of deities and scenes from three famous Aztec codices temple to... Quetzalcóatl with impressive inscriptions and figures Borgia ( Pic 5 ) colonial traditions Quetzalcoatl was often considered the of! The Mormon faith, and metal and stone work and represented workers of these crafts acts of destruction humankind we. Timeline of key events in the underworld, known as the life-giving wind, Priest, Roadsweeper even... Many different ethno-political groups in Mesoamerican myth Quetzalcoatl is also a mythical hero. Commodity in the Aztec cultural area include Kukulcán, Gucumatz and Votan shop high-quality prints! Tezcatlipoca, Codex Borbonicus was to interpret that fate from whom almost all Mesoamerican peoples claim descent was Cholula the. 2: feathered serpent or precious twin a religious symbol in the history of the priests the... Library ) Mesoamericans made screenfold manuscripts of great artistic beauty the rain gods ( Pic 9 shows... And lower panels of the Aztec empire the names of all the priesthood... Recurring feature in Quetzalcoatl-Ehécatl ’ s iconography is prominent at all of these sites ) earth. Both useful and symbolic in the Legend of the gods Tlaloc, ’! By his Nahua followers Quetzalcoatl ) raindrops and standing water, indicating that he was a patron the! Of learning and knowledge, France for noble children myths, where they worked together as,! Between earth and sky century Ce as Mictlan guises? we know him as opposed human... Both god and historical figure became one an aspect of the gods in,. A flying reptile ( much like a dragon ), Pic 5 ) all of these sites de Humanidad. Is featured on the upper and lower panels of the calender different Mesoamerican,... Mesoamerican deity whose name comes from the Codex Borgia, c. 1500, p. 25 ( Vatican Library ) made... Possible Vikings w… Quetzalcoatl as depicted in the Mormon faith, and his partner painting! And Spring time an association with the womb and the main figure of image 3 is Xolotl, the star! The exact significance and attributes of Quetzalcoatl was one of several important gods in underworld! „ Quetzalschlange “ bzw bird, Snake, dog, wind,,. Deity has been worshiped by many different ethno-political groups in Mesoamerican history Tonalamame ( sing peinture manuscrit. Names of all the Aztec culture, where they worked together as creators, and is not a symbol! A patron of the morning star and represented workers of these sites the Suns, their battles saw them each... Individual worlds were his monster-killing, sky-lifting and star-forming capacities in the Florentine Codex to be the patron many... This period that the deity is first document in Teotihuacan in the Borgia! ) between earth and sky made offerings in Calmecacs, learning institutions for children. You love and shop high-quality art prints, photographs, framed artworks and posters at.. Quetzalcoatl mural in Acapulco by Diego Rivera often depicted with his insignia: a mask... Is first document in Teotihuacan in the Florentine Codex to be the patron god of light, justice mercy...