The Feathered Serpent
Quetzalcoatl is among the greatest Aztec gods — patron of wind, wisdom, learning, and the priesthood, and a creator of humankind. Depicted as a serpent sheathed in the iridescent green feathers of the quetzal bird, he bridges earth and sky, matter and spirit. As the wind aspect Ehecatl, he sweeps the roads clean before the rain gods come.
His name fuses Nahuatl quetzalli, the prized green plumage of the quetzal, with coatl, "serpent" — "Feathered Serpent" or "Precious-Feather Snake." The Maya knew an equivalent figure as Kukulkan. Both express the same union of soaring bird and earthbound snake.
In the central creation myth, Quetzalcoatl descends to Mictlan, the underworld, to recover the bones of past humanity from Mictlantecuhtli. He grinds the bones and sprinkles them with his own blood, giving rise to the people of the Fifth Sun. His long rivalry with his brother Tezcatlipoca drives the destruction and renewal of each world-age.
Feathered serpent of light, wind, and creation; gives life and learning.
Smoking mirror of night, sorcery, and conflict; his eternal rival.
Common Questions
What does Quetzalcoatl's name mean?
It combines quetzalli (the green quetzal feather) and coatl (serpent), meaning "Feathered Serpent."
Is Quetzalcoatl the same as Kukulkan?
They are closely related. Kukulkan is the Maya feathered-serpent deity equivalent to the Aztec Quetzalcoatl.
