Quetzalcoatl is a deity who serves as one of the major deities of Mesoamerican culture. He serves as one of the most important figures within Mesoamerican culture serving as the god of winds and rain as well as the creator of the world and humanity. Despite being one of the most important deities in Mesoamerican culture, he makes uncommon to rare appearances in Disney properties.
Background[]
Origins[]
Quetzalcoatl is based on the deity of the same name from Aztec culture and literature relating to wind, Venus, the Sun, merchants, arts, crafts, knowledge, and learning. He serves as one of the most prominent deities of Mesoamerican literature playing an important part within Aztec religion along with gods such as Tlaloc, Tezcatlipoca, and Huitzilopochtli, followed by two other gods who represent Venus such as Tlaloc (god of rain) and Xolotl (god of fire and lightning). In addition to this, animals often used to represent Quetzalcoatl include quetzals, rattlesnakes (Nahuatl: "coatl"; meaning "serpent"), crows, and macaws.
In addition to appearing in his human form, Quetzalcoatl can also take the form of a large serpent decorated with quetzal feathers particularly in the form of a feathered serpent. This form can often be interpreted as Quetzalcoatl having the aspects of Ehecatl, a pre-Columbian deity who was associated with the wind in Aztec mythology which is therefore known as Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl. The name "Quetzalcoatl" originates from the Nahuatl language and can either be translated as "Precious serpent" or "Quetzal-feathered serpent".
Appearances[]
Disney Parks[]
World Showcase[]
The Mexico Pavilion is represented by a Mesoamerican-style pyramid modeled after the real-life pyramids found in Teotihuacan, Mexico. Statues depicting heads of feathered serpents representing Quetzalcoatl are decorated within the pyramid itself.
El Rio del Tiempo[]
In the former attraction at Epcot, one of the live-action scenes depicted vignettes representing Aztec mythology and culture where one of them depicts a clash of good and evil between Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca.
Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull[]
Quetzalcoatl appears in this attraction seen in a serpent chamber serving as an obstacle to Indiana Jones and his guests on a plan to retrieve the Crystal Skull. Depictions of Quetzalcoatl in his feathered serpent form are also featured throughout the attraction, followed by a board left by Indy himself searching for pictographs of Quetzalcoatl alongside various other deities within the temple.
Printed Material[]
Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl[]
Quetzalcoatl (or some depiction of the feathered serpent) appeared in the Society of Explorers and Adventurers-inspired book becoming the main subject of the story's plot. This depiction is simply referred to as "Coatl" within the story and is depicted as a serpent-like creature within the book itself.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Malcho from the Aladdin TV series is based on Quetzalcoatl.
- Zafiro from the Disney animated series, Gargoyles has a striking resemblance to Quetzalcoatl, due to his appearance resembling that of a winged serpent-like gargoyle.
- Quita Moz from Elena of Avalor is loosely based on Quetzalcoatl's serpent form.
External links[]
- Quetzalcoatl on Wikipedia.
- Quetzalcoatl on Society of Explorers and Adventurers Wiki.
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