The plumed serpent was established in westport in 1970. The plumed serpent is the story of an aztec pagan revolution that spreads through mexico during the time of the mexican revolution the 1910s. Quetzalcoatl pronounced kehtzalcohwahtul and roughly translated as the feathered serpent, the plumed serpent or the quetzalfeathered serpent, is the name of an important mesoamerican deity who was worshiped throughout the region in one form or another for 1,200 years. The most important two gods for the aztec myths are quetzalcoatl note, the plumed serpent, and tezcatlipoca note, the smoking mirror. The writer anthony burgess maintained that the plumed serpent is the least liked of lawrences novels due to its lack of humour and its exploration of a theme of little interest to readers with no knowledge of the ancient aztec gods and what they could mean to a revitalized or laurentianised mexico. Nov 27, 2017 the plumed or feathered serpent is a mesoamerican myth that has fascinated modern people for quite some time. Sep 08, 2015 the plumed serpent is the story of an aztec pagan revolution that spreads through mexico during the time of the mexican revolution the 1910s. Feathered serpents, also known as plumed serpents or quetzalcoatls, are supernatural entities featured in many mesoamerican cultures, starting from the olmecs. The idea is that women use beauty as a primary force for manipulation, whereas men use duplicity. It was a muchrevered god who was believed to bring good tidings and civilization to humankind. Quetzalcoatl plumed serpent serpiente emplumada dios aztec zapoteca maya. Aztec snake symbol understanding the aztec snake symbol. As an aztec deity, he was one of four sons of the creator god ometeotl, associated with the wind god, and the patron god of arts and knowledge.
He was also a culture hero, a legendary figure who represents the ideals of a cultural group. We are honored when they share photographs in their gowns on their wedding day. In a dramatic first confrontation, the mexica ruler motecuhzoma xocoyotzin greeted hernan cortes, the spanish invader, with a. Lawrence conceived the idea for the novel while visiting mexico in 1923, and its themes reflect his experiences there. Quetzalcoatl pronounced kehtzalcohwahtul and roughly translated as the feathered serpent, the plumed serpent or the quetzalfeathered serpent, is the name of an important mesoamerican deity who was worshiped throughout the. Children of the plumed serpent national endowment for the. Quetzalcohuatzin, modern nahuatl pronunciation help info is a deity in mesoamerican culture and literature whose name comes from the nahuatl language and means feathered serpent or quetzalfeathered serpent. In one of the amazing coincidences of history, the cortes expedition arrived in the year 1519, known to the aztecs as the year 1 reed ce acatl, which was. D h lawrence and the plumed serpent lawrence finished the first draft of his famous fantasy novel the plumed serpent first titled quetzalcoatl in june 1923, in typical lawrence style inspired by, if not directly looking out over, a beautiful lake, sea or ocean. This godmadeperson was considered the creator of all human beings and as such became an important source of political power said to stem directly from divine power. The aztec conquest of oaxaca and the spanish incursion the children of the plumed serpent were the dominant cultural, political, and economic force in southern mexico for three hundred years until the arrival of the aztecs in the fifteenth century. David carrasco, author of quetzalcoatl and the irony of empire. The original owner started the shop as a mexican antique shop and imported furniture and accessories from mexico for the local clientele.
We are honored when they share photographs in their. During the 16th century, quetzalcoatl whose name in the nahuatl language means feathered serpent or plumed serpent, was one of the principle aztec deities. Quetzalcoatl was known as the deity of wind and rain, bringer of knowledge, the inventor of books, and associated with the planet venus. The aztec feathered serpent deity known as quetzalcoatl is known from several aztec codices such as the florentine codex, as well as from the records of the spanish conquistadors. The plumed serpent, typical for lawrence, dramatizes the archetypal struggle of male and female forces, cosmic in scope, played out through individual characters. Quetzalcoatl simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Its name at the time was likely meant to represent the dual nature of the entity. In one of the amazing coincidences of history, the cortes expedition arrived in the year 1519, known to the aztecs as the year 1 reed ce acatl, which was the birthdate and calendar name of topiltzin quetzalcoatl. To some, it is a beautiful homage to mexican culture, while others debate its artistic merit, religious symbolism, cost and more. Sep 27, 2017 quetzalcoatl plumed serpent ketsalkoatl is the god of intelligence, learning, writing, arts and crafts, the calendar, priests, and merchants and was the bringer of maize to mankind. He was also known as kukulkan to the maya, gucumatz to the quiche of guatemala, and ehecatl to the huastecs of the gulf coast. Couple these with a sort of protofascism, and one has a pretty nasty book. These brothers were two archenemies and most of the aztec myth revolves around the two of them fighting each other.
To the aztecs, quetzalcoatl was, as his name indicates, a feathered serpent, a flying reptile much like a dragon, who was a boundarymaker and transgressor between earth and sky. But as times changed, so did what the store carried. To the aztecs, quetzalcoatl was, as his name indicates, a feathered serpent, a flying reptile much like a dragon, who was a boundarymaker and transgressor. This late lawrence book is filled with longwinded, pretentious and repetitive passages of ersatz aztec religious claptrap and equally illconceived mysticism about the savage mexican indian as a race. Lawrence novel ive read, and i did nearly give it up altogether a couple of times. Our brides have beautiful taste and distinctive style. The maya people of mexicos yucatan peninsula also worshiped a form of quetzalcoatl called kukulkan. The temple of the featheredserpent takes its name from the iconic carved heads that adorn the. Quetzalcoatl plumed serpent serpiente emplumada dios aztec. Apr 20, 2019 from the etymological perspective, the very term quetzalcoatl or quetzalcohuatl in classical nahuatl means feathered serpent, with the nahuatl word, quetzalli roughly meaning long green feather, later associated with the emerald plumed bird, and coatl referring to a serpent. Slowly more clothing was being brought in from mexico.
From feathered serpent to creator god ancient origins. As the planet venus, he is known as tlahuizcalpantecuhtli. In his human form, according to legend, he founded the fabulous capital. The vilcek foundation prizes are awarded to foreignborn individuals for extraordinary achievement in the arts and sciences. Whether by shear luck or by providence, the time of cortes arrival coincided with the prophesied return of the aztec god, quetzalcoatl. Apr 09, 2012 the exhibition children of the plumed serpent.
In their sculptures the aztecs usually portrayed the heropriest quetzalcoatl as a man emerging from the jaws of the mythical plumed serpent creature as in the british museum figure. Quetzalcoatl, a feathered serpent or plumed serpent, was one of the most important gods in the ancient mesoamerican pantheon. Its said that cortez was blond, and it was partly that reason that the mayanaztec allowed him so deep into their society. The aztec empire forced the mixtec and zapotec kingdoms to produce luxury goods for their own. The confederacies of southern mexico created elaborate trade networks and shared unique styles of architecture, ceramic traditions, and written. In the fall of 2003, a heavy rainstorm swept through the. Lawrences morbid fascination with the gruesome world of the aztecs who saw nothing but death aztec things oppress me, says kate in the novel blinded him.
Quetzalcoatl was the god of wind, dawn, the morning star aka venus, knowledge, arts, and. In the fall of 2003, a heavy rainstorm swept through the ruins of teotihuacan, the pyramidstudded, pre. Plumed serpent quetzalcoatl, the plumed serpent, was. The plumed serpent offers an unparalleled selection of expertly crafted gowns in the finest european fabrics for the most discerning brides. Definitely the prettiest book on this mythology i have. Apr 04, 2012 seen as the human incarnation of the spiritual forces of wind and rain, quetzalcoatl was typically portrayed in art as a plumed serpent, a longstanding motif in mesoamerican sculpture and painting. See more ideas about feathered serpent, mesoamerican and aztec art. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Sep 19, 2006 quetzalcoatl, the plumed serpent, played a dominant role as a god, model, myth, historical figure and symbol in ancient mexican consciousness of aztecs, mayans and other cultures. Diana ferguson three great civilizations each with a culture as strong, colorful, and complex as those of the more familiar greece and rome. He was a creator deity having contributed essentially to the creation of mankind. Quetzalcoatl, whose name may be translated as feathered or plumed serpent or precious twin, was a great mesoamerican god.
It is sometimes clear that these forces are equal in potency and at other times seems that the feminine principle is a bit too submissive for the modern taste. Aztec serpent sculpture has opponents baring fangs chicago. The temple of the feathered serpent takes its name from the iconic carved heads. The name quetzalcoatl is a combination of two nahuatl the language of the aztecs words, quetzal, which is the emerald plume bird, and coatl, which means serpent. Once i allowed myself to skim or skip the lengthy, nonsensical quetzalcoatl sermons i was able to enjoy much of the book. Aztec, inca and mayan myths distills a huge amount of information to present a clear, uncluttered and rich resource. The temple of the plumed serpent is adorned with carved snake heads and slithering bodies. An early draft of the book, different enough to be considered a distinct work, was published as quetzalcoatl by black swan books in 1995. Myths and prophecies in the aztec tradition, writes. Quetzalcoatl was often pictured as a snake with feathers, although he was sometimes shown in the form of a human. The novel was first published by martin seckers firm in the united kingdom and alfred a.
A secret tunnel found in mexico may finally solve the. Opposed to human sacrifice, he is called the white tezcatlipoca and is the 9 th lord of the day and god of the west. Quetzalcoatl panmesoamerican feathered serpent god. Quetzalcoatl plumed serpent ketsalkoatl is the god of intelligence, learning, writing, arts and crafts, the calendar, priests, and merchants and was the bringer of maize to mankind.
Therefore, quetzalcoatl is commonly also known in english as the plumed serpent or feathered serpent. Children of the plumed serpent national endowment for. Quetzalcoatl, the plumed serpent, was said to be able to turn into a man with blond hair and blue eyes. The plumed or feathered serpent or snake of mesoamerican aztecmayan legend. Mexico tenochtitlan, the day 8 wind, the 9th day of the month quecholli of the year 1 reed in the mexica aztec calendar, which may correspond to a. It is definite that there was a ruler called as quetzalcoatl or the plumed serpent who was a great and much revered leader in the year ad 947. The famous step pyramid in the ancient maya city of chichen itza is dedicated to the plumed serpent god.
The name is a combination of quetzalli, a brightly colored mesoamerican bird, and, which means serpent. Seen as the human incarnation of the spiritual forces of wind and rain, quetzalcoatl was typically portrayed in art as a plumed serpent, a longstanding motif in mesoamerican sculpture and painting. In the 25 years since, the artwork has become a lightning rod for civic discourse. The plumed serpent the return of the energy of christ and of quetzalcoatl in this the second article in a series on the return of quetzalcoatl, carl johan callesman, one of the worlds leading authorities on the mayan calendar, discusses the idea that quetzalcoatl, the ancient mexican deity, is a true saviour figure. History and mythology of the aztec feathered serpent god a name that reverberates throughout the rich mesoamerican culture, quetzalcoatl is arguably and rather uniquely the most renowned of all mythical entities from the aztec mythology, whose legacy has survived the rigors of time and foreign influence. I am a latin american woman artist living in california.
According to aztec lore, tezcatlipoca posed as a servant and infiltrated plumed serpents monastic household, concocting from the sap of the maguey plant a pulque brew with which he intoxicated the priestly god and his sister and deluded him into sleeping with her, thereby breaking his vows of chastity. Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent, one of the major deities of the ancient. Quetzalcoat was one of the most important gods in ancient mesoamerica. The god known as the plumed serpent is a mix of bird and rattle snake and his name is a combination of the nahuatl words for the quetzal the emerald plumed bird and coatl or serpent.
Therefore, quetzalcoatl is commonly also known in english as the. Published in 1926, it also has themes of anticapitalism, antiamericanism, romanticism, nationalism, and primal and traditional roles for men and women. Among the aztecs and toltecs this divinity went by the name of quetzalcoatl and to the maya it was known as kukulcan. The plumed or feathered serpent is a mesoamerican myth that has fascinated modern people for quite some time. However, tenochtitlan fell to the spaniards in 1521, and spain soon controlled the entire aztec empire. Quetzalcoatl often translated as the plumed serpent is an aztec deity with multiple aspects, governing the winds, air, and the breath of life in his aspect as the god ehecatl, but also incarnate in the historical toltec hero topiltzin ce acatl, who is mesoamericas main culture hero and known for his religious reforms and achievements as ruler of tollan. In aztec mythology he was the brother of tezcatlipoca, huizilopochtli and xipe totec. In aztec times 14th through 16th centuries quetzalcoatl was revered as the. Part anthropological study, part history and part folklore, tales of the plumed serpent. Aztec, inca and mayan myths by diana ferguson is beautifully illustrated with pictures of places, artifacts, and pictures of the stories. He was an hombredios mangod, who incarnated on earth, to bring spirit and matter into harmony. Through their enduring mythology, the mayas of yucatan, the aztecs of. Lawrence wanted to call the book quetzalcoatl, after the aztec god of that name, but knopf insisted on the plumed serpent, a title lawrence disliked. Quetzalcoatl, the plumed serpent, played a dominant role as a god, model, myth, historical figure and symbol in ancient mexican consciousness of aztecs, mayans and other cultures.