Quetzalcoatl

Plumed snake deity

Quetzalcoatl is a major deity in Aztec and other Mesoamerican religions, depicted as a feathered serpent—a fusion of the quetzal bird and the snake.

The name means "feathered serpent" in Nahuatl.

Quetzalcoatl governed wind, air, and learning, and was associated with the morning star.

Spanish conquistadors exploited legends about the god's return to justify their conquest.

The figure remains culturally significant in Mexico and appears frequently in literature, games, and popular culture as a symbol of ancient Mesoamerican civilization.

deity

feathered serpent

Winged snake deity

AztecAncient Mexican civilization
MesoamericanOf ancient Central Mexico
ToltecMesoamerican civilization, 900-1200 CE

creator god · wind god · morning star · Venus · Teotihuacan · Cholula · temple · pyramid · priesthood · sacrifice

symbolism

feathers

Bird's lightweight covering

scalesPlates or weighing devices
jadeCarved ornamental mineral
turquoiseBlue-green opaque gemstone

conch · shell · wind · breath · knowledge · wisdom · learning · arts · agriculture · calendar

mythology

creation myth

Origin narrative of existence

underworldRealm of the departed
bonesRigid internal support structure
humanityPeople as a whole

exile · self-immolation · Cortés · conquest · legend · codex

serpent

plumed

Having ornamental feathers

coiledArranged in spirals
fangedHaving long sharp teeth
rattlesnakeViper with segmented tail noisemaker

serpentine · undulating · cosmic · divine · winged · flying

Quetzalcoatl

feathered serpent

feathers

creation myth

plumed

Quetzalcoatl

Opposites

Categories

Family