The main deity at Chichen Itza is Kulkulkan, the feathered serpent. This deity is more commonly known as Quetzalcoatl. The feathers and talons of an eagle are easily discernable, as is the human face emerging from a snake's mouth. This image is very common at Chichen Itza.
Quetzalcoatl was a very important deity to the Toltecs who had a great deal of influence in the Puuc Mayan centers. A thousand year old myth is difficult to reconstruct, especially after the Spanish friars burned the native books. Quetzalcoatl was reputed to be a blonde, bearded and blue eyed god with white skin. Hernan' Cortez, who was blonde and had a beard, had the tremendous good fortune to arrive on the Mexican coast on the day that the prophecies had predicted Quetzalcoatl's return.

Quetzalcoatl journeys to the underworld
Quetzalcoatl: The man, the myth, the legend
Mesoamerican deities
Quetzalcoatl the Myth
Quetzalcoatl from Teotihuacan
Digging for Quetzalcoatl's Christian roots. I think that this is a bit of a stretch. You decide for yourself.
The gods of Mexico
W.B. Johnston's Kulkulkan or do you say Quetzalcoatl?
List of Mesoamerican gods.
Link to information on Aztec deities


Back up one level


Back to Anne & Lee's Home Page

Updated 7/22/2000