Quetzalcoatl

Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent, is one of the most revered gods in Aztec mythology, a creator deity of wind, learning, the morning star, and civilization. He brought maize to humanity, invented the calendar, and taught arts and sciences, symbolizing wisdom and benevolence. In myths, Quetzalcoatl opposed human sacrifice, favoring offerings of flowers and butterflies, and was exiled after trickery by Tezcatlipoca, promising to return. His dual nature as both god and priest-king reflects cultural ideals of enlightened rule, and his feathered serpent form bridges sky and earth, embodying renewal, knowledge, and the sacredness of life in Aztec cosmology.