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Tuesday, September 18, 2007

The Kukulcán Cult

The Kukulcán Cult 

Traditionally the Mayas had their own gods. However, when the Itzáe invaded Chichén-Itzá they introduced another god from the Toltecs. The Toltecs called him Quetzalcoatl, the plumed serpent. Kukulcán was the name given to this god by the Mayas.

The Itzás introduced the Toltec god--Quetzalcoatl.
The divine leader of the Toltecs had been a legendary chieftain. Generations of later Toltec chieftains used the name Quetzalcoatl . to mean "wise leader who enjoys the favor of the Gods". Part of the Quetzalcoatl legend claimed that he promised to return and restore the Toltec kingdom of Tula one day.

Quetzalcoatl 's promise to return was believed to have contributed to the later defeat of the Aztec ruler Montezuma II who mistook Hernan Cortez for the famed God and welcomed him with religous awe--and therefore granted him special protection.

Several Maya sacred texts refer to the Toltec god Quetzalcoatl by the name of Kukulcán. There are many examples of the Kukulcán cult to be found in the art and architecture of Chichén-Itzá.
The Itzás introduced the Toltec god--Quetzalcoatl.

The image of Kukulcán as seen at Chichén-Itzá .

The large heads of Kukulcán are found in the newer part of the city. These sculptures can be seen at the foot of the stairway to The Castle. They compliment the impressive effect of the descent of Kukulcán during the Equinox. At mid aftertoon on the days of the Equinox the shadow that covers the northeast angle of the pyramid is refelcted on the stairway and forms triangles of light and shade that imitates the movement of a serpent.
Serpant shadows descending the stairway of the castle during the equinox.

Serpant shadows descending the stairway of the castle during the equinox.

This effect is more impressive because it touches the large head of Kukulcán at the bottom of the stairway, making it seem as though the serpent was slowly and magically descending the pyramid. This effect could only be obtained by precise architectural and astronomical measurements.

Image of Kukulcán as seen on stone carving on the Temple of the Warriors .
On one of the walls of the Temple of the Warriors in the newer part of Chichén-Itzá you will see another example of a stone carving of Kukulcán. The temple's facade is composed of a sloping elevation and a large wall which contain this example of a representation of Kukulcán--the feathered serpent.



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