What shape were the temple buildings dedicated to Quetzalcoatl?

What shape were the temple buildings dedicated to Quetzalcoatl?

The temple, whose distinctive, round shape was described by Spanish priest Bernardino de Sahagún, was located about 80 feet north of where Spanish colonial maps had originally shown it to be.

What is the purpose of the Temple of Quetzalcoatl?

The Temple of the Feathered Serpent was not only a religious center but also a political center. The rulers of Teotihuacán were not only the leaders of men; they were also the spiritual leaders of the city. The two mansions near the pyramid are thought to have been occupied by powerful families.

What did the Temple of Quetzalcoatl look like?

feature of Teotihuacán Citadel stands the Temple of Quetzalcóatl (the Feathered Serpent) in the form of a truncated pyramid; projecting from its ornately decorated walls are numerous stone heads of the deity. The temple walls were once painted in hematite red.

What was special about Quetzalcoatl?

A prototypical Mesoamerican serpent deity. The name Quetzalcoatl literally means “feathered snake”. The Feathered Serpent deity was important in art and religion in most of Mesoamerica for close to 2,000 years, from the Pre-Classic era until the Spanish conquest.

Was the Temple of Quetzalcoatl destroyed?

Construction of the first temple began sometime after 1325, and it was rebuilt six times. The temple was destroyed by the Spanish in 1521 to make way for the new cathedral.

What foods did the Mexica Aztecs eat?

While the Aztecs ruled, they farmed large areas of land. Staples of their diet were maize, beans and squash. To these, they added chilies and tomatoes. They also harvested Acocils, an abundant crayfish-like creature found in Lake Texcoco, as well as Spirulina algae which they made into cakes.

Was the temple of Quetzalcoatl destroyed?

What was the purpose of Mayan pyramids?

Civilizations like the Olmec, Maya, Aztec and Inca all built pyramids to house their deities, as well as to bury their kings. In many of their great city-states, temple-pyramids formed the center of public life and were the site of holy rituals, including human sacrifice.

Why did Aztecs build temples?

Temple-pyramids were used for religious ceremonies and sacrifice. The Aztecs believed their pyramids were the homes of their gods and places of worship. Burials have been found within their walls, and the pyramids were also used to perform rituals of sacrifice.

Why is Quetzalcoatl important in history?

In Aztec times (14th through 16th centuries) Quetzalcóatl was revered as the patron of priests, the inventor of the calendar and of books, and the protector of goldsmiths and other craftsmen; he was also identified with the planet Venus.

Was Quetzalcoatl a good god?

He was also the patron god of the Aztec priesthood, of learning and knowledge. Quetzalcoatl was one of several important gods in the Aztec pantheon, along with the gods Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca and Huitzilopochtli.

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.

Why was the temple of Quetzalcoatl important to Teotihuacan?

In this article the significance of Teotihuacan’s most sumptuous monument is studied: the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. Based on iconographie studies, together with the results of recent archaeological excavations, it is possible to deduce that the building was dedicated to the myth of the origin of time and calendric succession.

Are there mirrors in the temple of Quetzalcoatl?

Citing pre-Hispanic representations and sixteenth century accounts, I have interpreted the mirrors on the Teotihuacan Temple of Quetzalcoatl in terms of the emergence (Taube 1986).

When was the temple of the Feathered Serpent built?

Built around 150 AD, the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, also known as the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, was the third largest pyramid in the city. Made up of seven tiers, the facade of the pyramid swarms with carvings of snakes. The symbolism of Quetzalcoatl here is intriguing.

When did Quetzalcoatl appear in the archaeological record?

But first, let’s quickly delve into the history of the real Quetzalcoatl and his theological origins in Mesoamerica. The Plumed Serpent made his first appearance in the archaeological record over 2,000 years ago.