One of the most important ancient Mesoamerican gods was Quetzalcoatl, a celestial deity who took the form of a feathered snake and ruled over the wind. One myth recounts that he created the earth’s current race of people by bleeding onto the bones of the previous generation.
Relief Depicting Face of Quetzalcoatl, Mexico, Aztec, AD 1400–1521, Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico City (10-81787)
Bust of Quetzalcoatl, Mexico, Aztec, AD 1300–1521, Trustees of the British Museum, London, Ethno. 1825.12-10.11
Turquoise-mosaic Disk with plumed serpent design, Mexico, Yucatán, Chichen Itza, Maya, AD 900–1200, Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico City (10-9649)
Find out more about Quetzalcoatl in The Legacy of the Plumed Serpent in Ancient Mexico, which opens this weekend with a FREE sneak preview on Saturday, during WFAA Family First Day.
Sarah Coffey
Assistant to the Chair of Learning Initiatives
