What is the deep meaning of Quetzalcoatl?
Quetzalcoatl is a Mesoamerican symbol and deity which represents a feathered snake, its significance spanning different cultures belonging to the history of Mexican peoples. The ancient god’s name has various meanings in different cultures, all derivations on “feathered serpent.” One of its most common meanings is “feathered lizard” or “furry snake,” but other versions include “quetzal bird” (when it was refigured as an Aztec deity) and “towering royal-wise man with a scepter.”
Diiferent origins
The Mesoamerican god Quetzalcoatl and his twin brother came into being through virgin birth to the goddess Coatlice. This goddess was a daughter of the creator deity Ometeotl. The twins were the first two beings to be born from the creator, and were made in such a way that they can never die. They were also given a mission to be guardians of the newly-born human race, given them by their father.
Quetzalcoatl was associated with death and rebirth, while his twin brother is associated with light and life. Our civilizations believe that Quetzalcoatl is an Olmec deity called Kukulkan which means “feathered serpent.”
The real story is somewhat more complicated. Although some say the god Quetzalcoatl was born out of a male and female from heaven-the twin brothers Coatlice and Chicomecoatl.
An Aztec legend tells that the god Quetzalcoatl originated from Coatlice, who caused a man named Acamapichtli to be born on earth by having a son with him. Coaticate was disturbed by her pregnancy, as she was not under the authority of any man on earth because of her nocturnal activities as goddess of the night sky. Quetzalcoatl’s father would not let her continue living in the sky, so she gave birth to twin boys (Quetzalcoatl and Chicomecoatl).
What does the serpent mean in Aztec culture?
Some think the serpent represents the Pleiades constellation and others say it is a metaphor for a snake in the role of lawgiver or teacher. In the middle of the last century, Mexico scholar Miguel Leon Portilla summarized Aztec thought about this deity eloquently: “The serpent was the god of life, the giver and bearer of all good things. On the other hand, it was also a symbol of death and destruction.”
As co-creator of mankind, Quetzalcoatl was believed to be both savior and punisher. He descended to earth in order to give humankind rules that would allow them to live in harmony with nature. Anyone who obeyed these laws would be granted eternal life. The god punished those who did not follow these rules by sending illness and natural disasters onto earth.
What does this deity mean to us?
The deity Quetzalcoatl was significant in various cultures such as that of the Aztecs, Maya, and Toltecs. (Each culture had their own version of “Quetzalcoatl” – which is why there are variations in names.) There are many different stories that surround Quetzalcoatl’s legend but one thing they all share is his importance as a god of both death and life. He brings new life by giving birth to humanity.
Quetzalcoatl’s connection to Astrology
Quetzalcoatl is associated with the Pleiades constellation. It is considered to be the sacred number 7 and it was worshiped in ancient Mayan cultures as well as by many of the Native Americans in South America.
The Aztecs lived in the tropical lowlands of Mexico, and for this reason, they are commonly called the “people of Quetzalcoatl” or “Aztecs”. The name “Aztec” means “People from Aztlan” which is thought to refer to a place named Aztalan (now a part of Chicago). The word Aztlan itself means feather serpent. This deity not only has connections with human beings; he also has an association with animals.
Quetzalcoatl is more than just a story of the Pleiades…
The religious associations are quite clear. The Pleiades consists of a group of seven stars that sit on the head of the constellation Taurus, which is why it is also referred to as the Hyades, and the V-shape they form look like a snake. From an astronomical point of view, this constellation represents an open cluster of stars that are located about 420 light years from Earth.
In ancient Egypt and Greece, Quetzalcoatl was believed to be their sun god Ra’s counterpart, and in Mesoamerica he was known as the “feathered serpent.” In Mayan mythology he was called Kukulkan or Gucamatzl or Gucumatz. He was also known as Kukulkan in the Aztec, Toltecs, and Maya cultures. He was born of the god Coatlice and her lover Acamapichtli.
Interestingly enough, this deity has his counterpart among the indigenous peoples of South America. The Andean people call it Pachacuti and the Amazonian people call it Gucumatz or Manu (meaning “he who is born from water”).
Quetzalcoatl is the Mesoamerican deity of death, rebirth and glory. He was worshiped by different peoples in Mesoamerica and South America. The deity has connections to Astrology, animals, and human beings and he was also the god of arts in various cultures and was considered the god of knowledge and wisdom.
Few people know of the deepest meanings of the Aztec legend or the true meaning of Quetzalcoatl the god of creation. The Aztec creation story tells of a race that was created by Tezcatlipoca. These creatures were neither male nor female because they had no sense of gender. They were violent and ate their own flesh, until one day, a man and a woman named Quetzalcoatl and Chimalman appeared on earth.
It is said that Quetzalcoatl is actually an original part of this species who turned out to be the best one in his kind. He managed to control his hunger instead of allowing it to rule him.
