what does the aztec serpent mean

Full Answer

What does the serpent symbolize in the Aztecs?

Serpents symbolized Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent deity, who was regarded as the god of life, wisdom, day, and winds. Coatl was regarded as a symbol of the earth and also represents Coatlicue, the personification of the earth.

What is the double-headed serpent?

The Double-headed serpent is an Aztec sculpture. It is a snake with two heads composed of mostly turquoise pieces applied to a wooden base. It came from Aztec Mexico and might have been worn or displayed in religious ceremonies.

What does Coatl mean in Aztec?

Coatl, meaning ‘snake’, is the day in the Aztec calendar associated with the god Chalchihuitlicue. Chalchihuitlicue is the goddess of oceans, rivers and running water, though she is also associated with childbirth and labor. Coatl is a day to be selfless and humble.

What is the Plumed Serpent and is it real?

The Plumed (or Feathered) Serpent is a Mesoamerican myth that has fascinated modern people for quite some time. Among the Aztecs and Toltecs this divinity went by the name of Quetzalcoatl and to the Maya it was known as Kukulcan. It was a much-revered god who was believed to bring good tidings and civilization to humankind.

What is the meaning of the Aztec serpent?

Serpents represented fertility, renewal and transformation, which go along with Quetzalcoatl's godly duties and identity. The snake's terrestrial habitat and periodic shedding of their skin suggest the connotation of fertility and renewal. The feathered serpent in particular symbolizes the union of earth and sky.

What is the Aztec serpent called?

QuetzalcoatlQuetzalcoatl was the Aztec feathered-serpent god. He was a creator god who brought wind and rains. To the Maya, he was known as Kukulcan or Gucumatz.

What does the snake represent on the Aztec calendar?

Serpents symbolized Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent deity, who was regarded as the god of life, wisdom, day, and winds. Coatl was regarded as a symbol of the earth and also represents Coatlicue, the personification of the earth.

What does Quetzalcoatl symbolize?

As the morning and evening star, Quetzalcóatl was the symbol of death and resurrection. With his companion Xolotl, a dog-headed god, he was said to have descended to the underground hell of Mictlan to gather the bones of the ancient dead.

Was Quetzalcoatl good or evil?

Is Quetzalcoatl good or bad? Quetzalcoatl was neither good nor bad to the Aztecs. As the creator, he was responsible for both life and death, so the people used human sacrifice to satisfy him and gain favor. Quetzalcoatl was also responsible for bringing maize, a life-sustaining food in the region.

Who is the Aztec devil?

In the Aztec codices, Mictlantecuhtli is often depicted with his skeletal jaw open to receive the stars that descend into him during the daytime.

What does a snake symbolize in Mexican culture?

The snake is a symbol of the earth and, in certain pre-Hispanic traditions, a representation of Quetzalcoatl; more specifically, in Aztec (Mexica) tradition, the snake is the representation of Coatlicue, the personification of earth and mother of Huitzilopochtli.

Is Quetzalcoatl a Jesus?

Many scholars suggest that Quetzalcoatl of Mesoamerica (also known as the Feathered Serpent), the Maya Maize God, and Jesus Christ could all be the same being. By looking at ancient Mayan writings such as the Popol Vuh, this theory is further explored and developed.

Why did the Aztecs worship Quetzalcoatl?

Among the Aztecs, whose beliefs are the best-documented in the historical sources, Quetzalcoatl was related to gods of the wind, of the planet Venus, of the dawn, of merchants and of arts, crafts and knowledge. He was also the patron god of the Aztec priesthood, of learning and knowledge.

Who killed Quetzalcoatl?

One Aztec story claims that Quetzalcoatl was seduced by Tezcatlipoca into becoming drunk and sleeping with a celibate priestess, and then burned himself to death out of remorse.

Why was Quetzalcoatl banished?

However, according to legendary accounts, Quetzalcoatl was banished from Tula after committing transgressions while under the influence of a rival. During his exile, he embarked upon an epic journey through southern Mexico, where he visited many independent kingdoms.

What are Quetzalcoatl powers?

Powers. Quetzalcoatl possesses the conventional superhuman physical attributes of an Aztec god, but with an enhanced strength enabling him to press about 100 tons. He can assume the form of a gigantic fire-breathing feathered serpent. He can fly in both forms.

Is Quetzalcoatl a Jesus?

Many scholars suggest that Quetzalcoatl of Mesoamerica (also known as the Feathered Serpent), the Maya Maize God, and Jesus Christ could all be the same being. By looking at ancient Mayan writings such as the Popol Vuh, this theory is further explored and developed.

What does Coatl mean?

serpentCoatl is a Nahuatl word (Aztec language) meaning serpent. El Coatl or the Big Serpent was a mythological creature of the tradition and culture of rural Mexico, related with legends of richness, wisdom and fear.

Is kukulkan same as Quetzalcoatl?

Essentially, Quetzalcoatl and Kukulcan are different names for the same serpent feathered creator god. Quetzalcoatl is the Aztec name, Kukulcan is the Maya name. He also had other names such as Gucumatz and Ehecatl.

Who is the god of snakes?

Manasa, goddess of snakes, worshipped mainly in Bengal and other parts of northeastern India, chiefly for the prevention and cure of snakebite and also for fertility and general prosperity.

Where did the double headed serpent come from?

The Double-headed serpent is an Aztec sculpture. It is a snake with two heads composed of mostly turquoise pieces applied to a wooden base. It came from Aztec Mexico and might have been worn or displayed in religious ceremonies. The mosaic is made of pieces of turquoise, spiny oyster shell and conch shell.

What are the heads of the serpents made of?

The heads of the serpents have holes for eyes, and remaining traces of beeswax and resin may have once held objects representing eyes, possibly orbs of iron pyrite (Fool's Gold). The vivid contrast of the red and white details on the head have been made from oyster shell and conch shell respectively.

What is the snake in the mixtecs?

The snake features strongly in the gods that the people worshiped. The feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl, patron of priests and symbol of death and resurrection was important to Mixtec religion, but other gods also had serpentine characteristics.

What did the Aztecs give to the emperor?

At the height of the Aztec Empire, many Mixtec towns came under Aztec rule had to pay tribute to the emperor, including gifts of gold and turquoise. This serpent would have made an valuable item of tribute- an example of the fearsome Aztecs.

What is the significance of a double head serpent?

Snakes have always been associated with fertility and re-birth, because of their ability to shed and grow new skins. No-one (even at the BM!) is quite sure how or where this mosaic piece was worn: it might have been a ‘pectoral’, hanging over the chest from a cord tied round the neck, or it may have been an important emblem - much like a Roman army standard - displayed on a staff.

What does a cóatl mean?

In the language of the Aztecs, Náhuatl, cóatl can mean both snake and ‘twin’. By extension, it can mean, in Gordon Brotherston’s words, ‘cooperation, community, social counterpart (a notion alive today in the Mexican term cuate, friend or mate)’. Turquoise or fire serpents - xiuhcóatl in Náhuatl - could represent lightning, linking the two worlds of sky and earth: an impressive stone xiuhcóatl welcomes visitors to the Mexico Gallery of the British Museum, and two such creatures adorn the Sunstone, carrying the Sun across the sky on its daytime journey. In this vein, according to Manuel Aguilar-Moreno, double-headed intertwined serpents were icons in Mesoamerican art that represented the sky. At the same time, the jaws of the snakes are open, ‘symbolizing the caves of Mictlan, gateways to the underworld’.

What does the snake tattoo mean in Aztec culture?

The serpent, also known as the Quetzalcoatl, was an important symbol in their culture. The Aztec snake tattoo symbolizes the Snake God who the Aztecs idolized. They believed in many Gods and gave much respect and adoration to them.

What did the Aztecs represent in their tattoos?

This tattoo may help them discover that. The gods of the sun and moon were one of the most important Gods to the Aztecs as they symbolized their everyday workings. The Sun God, known as Oll, represented all the earthly and universal elements such as earthquakes, rain, wind, and water.

Why did the Aztecs get tattoos?

The Aztecs would wear tattoos to distinguish themselves from the rest as true warriors. Some would get tattoos to honor their different gods, such as the Serpent God and many others. The Aztec eagle tattoo holds many other meanings, such as it symbolizes strength, power, courage, and bravery.

What color are Aztec snake tattoos?

If you want to go for a colored look, you can go for a colored inked Aztec snake tattoo that usually includes the color red or green. Some of these tattoos also have two-faced snakes at both the ends of the tail. These give out a very mythical feature.

What does an Aztec snake tattoo look like?

The Aztec snake tattoo looks like one of the most structured snakes you will ever find. There are many ways you can portray your Aztec snake tattoo. Some Aztec serpent tattoos include a black and grey inked Aztec snake that appears in a maze-like feature with some distinct details, making the Snake look so unique and powerful. If you want to go for a colored look, you can go for a colored inked Aztec snake tattoo that usually includes the color red or green.

What is the most common tattoo in the Aztecs?

One of the most common Aztec tattoos is the Aztec Snake or serpent tattoo, also known as the Quetzalcoatl (the feathered serpent). The Aztecs followed a specific calendar system that plays an important role in the meaning behind your Aztec tattoo designs. Aztec snake tattoos have more masculine features and look good on men.

What does the snake tattoo mean?

Find Out What The Aztec Snake Tattoo Means. Tribal tattoos always have a way of helping you pay tribute to cultural heritage. One of the oldest and greatest tribes you may have heard about is the Aztecs, who came from the South American region. You will find many symbols and traditions among the Aztecs, making it all the more exciting ...

Who was the Plumed Serpent?

This became the beginning of the conquest of this mighty empire by Cortez, his 600 men, 16 horses and native allies who remarkably defeated an emperor who was capable of raising an army of 100,000 men. This defeat is often attributed, at least partially, to the power the myth of the Plumed Serpent had over the Mesoamerican peoples, including the Aztec emperor.

Why did the Aztecs fear the peak?

There were, in other words, reasons for the Aztecs who saw themselves as living in a dark age (a valley) to fear the shift into a peak. Likewise, they would be aware that the Plumed Serpent would sometimes molt its skin and disappear as it set an end to a civilization.

What is the Quetzalcoatl?

Quetzalcoatl in feathered serpent form, Codex Telleriano-Remensis. (Public Domain) Not only that, in the Popol-Vuh, which is sometimes called the Bible of the Maya, the Plumed Serpent was seen as the central creator God, the One that the other gods went to when the creation of this universe was to begin.

What was the name of the god that brought good tidings to humans?

Among the Aztecs and Toltecs this divinity went by the name of Quetzalcoatl and to the Maya it was known as Kukulcan. It was a much-revered god who was believed to bring good tidings and civilization to humankind.

Where is the pyramid of the plumed serpent?

The pyramid of the Plumed Serpent at Chichen-Itza. Note the seven triangles of light projected onto the staircase as scales on the back of the plumed serpent that descends into the earth. (photo by Carl Calleman)

Where is the Mayan calendar?

Maya Calendar: From the Mayan display inside the National Museum of the American Indian. (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Is the serpent a powerful animal?

In fact, all over the world (including in the Book of Genesis of the Bible) we find the serpent revered as an especially powerful animal. This does not match what a modern person would think of as a snake, and it makes us wonder why the serpent has played such a significant role in ancient myths.

What does the Aztec name Coatl mean?

FAQs. Coatl, meaning snake, is the first day of a 13-day period in the Aztec calendar, represented by the image of a stylized snake . It was an auspicious day which the Aztecs regarded to be sacred, and they believed that acting selflessly on this day would bring them the blessings of the gods.

What is the rattlesnake on the Mexican flag?

Coatl (the rattlesnake) can be seen featured in the center of the Mexican flag, being devoured by an eagle. To the Aztecs who viewed such an incident, it was a signal that told them where to found the city of Tenochtitlan (modern-day Mexico City). back to menu ↑.

What is the symbolism of the day coatl?

Therefore, it’s believed that acting selfishly on day Coatl would incur the wrath of the gods. The symbol for Coatl is a serpent, which was a sacred creature to the Aztecs. Serpents symbolized Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent deity, who was regarded as the god of life, wisdom, day, and winds. Coatl was regarded as a symbol ...

Who is the god of coatl?

Governing Deity of Coatl. The day Coatl is ruled by Chalchihuitlicue, the goddess of rivers, running water, and oceans. She’s also associated with labor and childbirth, and her role was to watch over newborns as well as sick people.

What is a Trecena?

What is a ‘trecena’? A trecena is one of the 13-day periods of the sacred Aztec calendar. The calendar has 260 days in total which are divided into 20 trecenas. What does the symbol Coatl represent?

What is the meaning of the word "serpent" in Aztec?

The serpent played a very important role in Aztec religion. The word for serpent in Nahuatl, the language spoken by the Aztecs, is coatl and is associated with several gods such as Quetzalcoatl (Feathered Serpent), Xiuhcoatl (Fire Serpent), Mixcoatl (Cloud Serpent) or Coatlicue (She of the Serpent Skirt), the mother of the Aztec god Huitzilopochtli.

What were serpents used for?

Serpents were also used as architectural elements , for example, a wall of serpents ( coatepantli) was often used to mark out sacred spaces within a ceremonial area. At the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, such a wall surrounded part of the Great Temple, which was the ritual focus for the entire city.

What is the name of the hill of the serpents?

The word coatl is also part of many place names, such as Coatepec ("the hill of the serpents"). Coatepec is the birthplace of the god Huitzilopochtli, the principal Aztec god, and thus one of the most important places in Aztec mythology.

Why are snakes called coatls?

Because snakes held such strong symbolic significance a lot of places and things ended up being associated with them. A hill or a river could have something to do with snakes in fact or in mythology and acquire a name that had something to do with serpents, thus "coatl".

What is a double headed serpent?

Double-headed serpent. An icon of Mexica (Aztec) art, this striking object was probably worn on ceremoni al occasions as a pectoral (an ornament worn on the chest). It is carved in wood (Cedrela odorata) and covered with turquoise mosaic. The wood is hollowed at the back.

What shells are used for the teeth of serpent heads?

Spondylus (thorny oyster) shell was used for the bright red details around the nose and mouth of both of this object's serpent heads. Strombus (conch) shell was used for the white teeth. Within the gaping mouths the resin adhesive was colored bright red with hematite.

What does the feathered serpent represent?

It represents time, eternity or the enduring nature of the soul. Aztec Feathered Serpent: The Aztec feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl, was a powerful god thought to be the protector of the world.

What Does the Aztec Tattoo Mean?

Aztec tattoos typically carry the meaning associated with the Ancient Aztec culture. The following are the most common meanings associated with standard Aztec tattoos.

What does the Aztec warrior tattoo represent?

Aztec Warrior: The Aztec Warrior tattoo represents the afterlife and is often combined with an eagle tattoo, as the warrior was thought to draw his strength and courage from the eagle.

Why do people get tattoos in Aztec culture?

They are a unique way to connect with your ancestors or express your desire for a happy afterlife.

What is the message of Aztec tattoos?

The message Aztec tattoos convey is one of respect for ancient civilizations and their beliefs. Each design carries its own symbolism and should be considered before choosing an Aztec Tattoo.

What is the Aztec civilization?

The Aztec civilization dominated Central America from the 14 th to the 16 th century. Its history is filled with delightful legends and myths explaining everything from life and death to the meaning of natural events, generally attributing them to a host of gods and god-like creatures. It is the symbols for these gods became the inspiration for many Aztec tattoos.

Why do people wear Aztec tattoos?

People wear Aztec tattoos today for a variety of reasons. For some, it is a way to honor ancient cultures and all their lost knowledge, for others the symbols are worn because of the original meaning. Still others choose Aztec tattoos because of their ornate beauty.

What is the meaning of the day of the Aztec calendar?

Ollin. Ollin, meaning ‘movement’ , is the day of the Aztec calendar associated with Xolotl. Xolotl is the god of shifting shapes, twins and Venus, the Evening Star. Cozcacuauhtli is associated with wisdom, long life, good advice and mental balance. Ollin is associated with transmutation, disorder, and seismic change.

What is the main characteristic of the Aztec font?

The main characteristic of this font is to have a double line decoration always present in sculptures and bas-reliefs of Aztec manufacturing.

What is the Aztec goddess of vultures?

Cozcacuauhtli, meaning ‘vulture’, is the day in the Aztec calendar associated with the goddess Itzpapalotl. Itzpapalotl is associated with rejuvenation, sacrifice and purification. She is sometimes called the Obsidian Butterfly. It is a good day to confront one’s troubles head on and to best those who would be deceitful.

What is the meaning of Xochitl?

Xochitl, meaning ‘flower’, is the day in the Aztec calendar associated with the goddess Xochiquetzal. Xochiquetzal is the goddess of youth, love, pleasure and beauty. She watches over artists while they work. Xochitl is a day for creating things that speak truth to the heart. It is a day to remember that life is short, and to reflect. It is a bad day to repress desire.

How many symbols are in the Aztec font?

The Aztec font comes together with a family of 20 symbols from Aztec symbolism.

What was the Aztec culture?

The Aztecs were a Mesoamerican culture that existed in modern-day Mexico from the 14th to 16th centuries. The Aztec Empire, a confederation of three large city-states, was formed around the 15th Century. The Aztecs were composed of several ethnic groups from the region. Most, but not all, were speakers of the Nahuatl language.

Who conquered Mexico City?

The conquistadors defeated the emperor Cuauhtemoc and founded Mexico City on the ruins of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. The conquest radiated outwards from there, until the Spanish had incorporated all of Mesoamerica into the Spanish Empire.

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