Quetzalcoatl

Aztec · mythology · ancient Mesoamerica · wisdom

God of Wind. Quetzalcoatl was the Aztec god of wind, and his name means "feathered serpent" in the Nahuatl language. Wind was important to the Aztecs because it helped spread seeds and pollen across their landscape.

Venus Star. The Aztecs connected Quetzalcoatl to the planet Venus, which they could see bright in the sky at dawn and dusk. This made him a powerful symbol in their astronomy and timekeeping.

Patron of Arts. Quetzalcoatl was the god of arts, crafts, knowledge, and learning, so Aztec priests, merchants, and artists would have honored him. He represented all the clever, creative things that made Aztec civilization special.

God of Wisdom. The Aztecs saw Quetzalcoatl as a god of intelligence and wisdom who helped humans understand the world around them. Priests especially looked up to him as their patron god.

Connected to Sun. Quetzalcoatl was also linked to the sun, one of the most sacred forces in Aztec belief. This showed how important and powerful the Aztecs thought he was.