Quetzalcoatl feathered serpent, xiuhcoatl fire serpent, mixcoatl cloud serpent or coatlicue she of the serpent skirt. So how much can we actually know about the aztecs whom these buskers are honouring. A double headed serpent aztec figurine from mexico a. The great temple, or templo mayor, in the aztec capital of. The doubleheaded serpent is fashioned of a multitude of tiny turquoise stones along with conch and spondylus shells, glued with copal and pine resin onto a cedarwood base gilded on its backside. The doubleheaded serpent is a sculpture made by the aztecs in the 15th or 16th century. The kids in my class always want to touch it, especially the fangs.
This doubleheaded serpent is one of the most highly crafted and strangely compelling of these rare aztec survivals. The aztecs were a civilization that thrived in the valley of mexico mesoamerica from about the th century until about 1519 ad, with the arrival of the. Double headed serpent this double headed serpent is a sculpture from aztec mexico, which was used in religious ceremonies. We know that the aztecs were using whats called chinampa agriculture, essentially making raised beds on the edge of the lake to grow crops and provide food and so here at the temple mayor, if were talking about the temple side. Doubleheaded serpent simple english wikipedia, the free. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon your work even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit you and license their new creations. Mysterious nagas serpent people who live in secret. The doubleheaded serpent is an aztec sculpture kept at the british museum. Photo of an aztec double headed serpent turquoise chest ornament this article will explore the aztecs views of their own history compared with what is known from the archaeological record.
The snake in aztec culture rileys focused inquiry blog. And the equally famous double headed serpent mask featured on bbc tv in the masterpieces of the british. The serpent or snake played an important role in religious, political and social life in aztec culture. Quetzalcohuatzin, modern nahuatl pronunciation help info is a deity in mesoamerican culture and literature whose name comes from the nahuatl language and means feathered serpent or quetzalfeathered serpent. The word for serpent in nahuatl, the language spoken by the aztecs, is coatl and is associated with several gods such as quetzalcoatl feathered serpent, xiuhcoatl fire serpent, mixcoatl cloud serpent or coatlicue she of the serpent skirt, the mother of. The sculpture was created between the years 1400 and 1500. A detail of the celebrated aztec double headed serpent. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. This sculpture featured in a history of the world in 100 objects, a series of radio. Among the latter, one minor nomadic group, appearing around a. In australia, the aboriginal people have preserved many legends of the serpent in their dreamtime myths of the creation of our planet.
Double headed serpent pectoral 2 knife blade with image of a face 214 orientation of a pyramidtemple 219. The eyes would have been rendered with inlay, probably of iron pyrite. When i saw it on amazon i knew i had to have it to decorate my classroom. It came from aztec mexico and might have been worn or displayed in religious ceremonies. Brief history of aztec archaeology19 main historical primary sources about the aztec24 reading26 2 evolution of aztec. Gods and goddesses 6 images and photos magick books library. History of the world in 100 objects, from british museum. After the collapse of the toltec empire, central mexicos citystates again fought among themselves for dominance and defended against further invasions by groups from the north.
The word for serpent in nahuatl, the language spoken by the aztecs, is coatl and is associated with. In aztec mythology, chalchiuhtlicue also chalciuhtlicue, or chalcihuitlicue she of the jade skirt was the goddess of lakes and streams. The mosaic is made of pieces of turquoise, oyster shell and conch shell applied to a wood base. Aleister crowley the equinox vol iii no iii equinox of the gods 152. The double headed serpent is one of the most highly crafted and strangely compelling of these rare aztec survivals. This list may not reflect recent changes learn more. Listening to the sounds of buskers in the heart of mexico city today, beating aztec.
It is thought to be displayed during religious ceremonies. It is made of turquoise chips of stone and has a wooden block for its base. Aztec doubleheaded serpent detail illustration ancient history. Episode 66 an examination of an aztec ornament depicting a double headed serpent, carved in wood and covered with turquoise mosaic, which is. A history of the world in 100 objects doubleheaded. No one knows how the piece was discovered or made its way to europe the turquoise mosaic of a double headed serpent is one of the most alluring objects in the.
History feathered serpent head of quetzalcoaltl aztec maya artifact carved sculpture statue 4. Uploaded by mark cartwright, published on 01 august 20 under the following license. It also resembles the amphisbaena myth, which also depicts a reptile with two heads at each end. Doubleheaded serpent wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. I purchased this aztec double headed serpent last year. This is the time of huge european expansion thanks to the new developments in ship building. Ancient aztecs ancient art ancient history aztec empire history encyclopedia aztec culture aztec art mesoamerican mexican art. The ancient aztec double headed serpent god quetzalcoatl mosaic, currently in the british museum. Aztec turquoise double headed serpent in the british museum the aztecs had an extensive empire in mexico, ruling from the island metropolis of tenochtitlan, in lake texcoco. Feathered serpent, a toltec god who served many important roles in the aztec faith over the years. Doubleheaded serpent wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The following 9 pages are in this category, out of 9 total. The serpent is made up of about two thousand tiny pieces of turquoise, set on to a curved wooden frame, about a foot and a half 45 cm wide. In nahuatl, the language spoken by the aztecs, the word for serpent is in fact coatl, which is found in many other compound words of.
High quality double headed serpent gifts and merchandise. She is also a patroness of birth and plays a part in aztec. The doubleheaded serpent is an aztec statue kept at the british museum. The double head serpent is based on and resembles the aztec sculpture of the same name. This serpent is not just painted but it is textured as well. The most prominent being quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent, xiuhcoatl, the fire serpent, mixcoatl the cloud serpent and coatlicue she of the serpent skirt, or the mother of the aztec god huitzilopochtli. A statue that resembles the sculpture appears in the treasure room, indicating the double head serpent is involved with the islands history. Double headed serpents feature strongly in the myths and religion of ancient mexico, and mesoamerica in general. The double headed serpent is an aztec sculpture kept at the british museum. The ancient aztec doubleheaded serpent god quetzalcoatl. An examination of an aztec ornament depicting a double headed serpent, carved in wood and covered with turquoise mosaic, which is believed to have been worn on ceremonial occasions. Design toscano aztec double headed serpent wall sculpture. With daniel evans, elizabeth baquedano, caroline dodds pennock, steven gregory.
The piece is believed to have been part of a ceremonial costume, worn as a pectoral. Since serpents regularly shed their skins and emerge shining and fresh as though made anew, they seemed to aztec mystics to transcend the dull cycle of aging. The mexica indians aztecs and the doubleheaded serpent the double headed serpent the serpent was a symbol of rebirth because of its ability to shed its skin and be reborn in a sense their gods at serpentine characteristics quetzalcoatl feathered serpent, xiuhcoatl fire. The word for serpent in nahuatl, the language spoken by the aztecs, is coatl and is associated with several gods such as quetzalcoatl feathered serpent, xiuhcoatl fire serpent, mixcoatl cloud serpent or coatlicue she of the serpent skirt, the mother of the aztec god. Mar 6, 2015 the ancient aztec double headed serpent god quetzalcoatl mosaic, currently in the british museum. The design is based on the famous image of the aztec sculpture depicting a double headed serpent, which is now in the possession of the british museum. The word serpent in nauatl is coatl which is associated to many gods. The ancient aztecs believed in many gods, and each god had a job. Virtually all the accounts of the aztec empire were written by the. Aztec feathered serpent plaque of quetzalcoaltl maya mayan stone statue sculpture xiuhpohualli tonalpohualli mesoamerican mexican mexico ancient aliens chariots of the gods wall art 007. It is made from wood covered in turquoise mosaic, spondylus red and conch white shell. He describes the aztec world and the spanish conquest of this culture, through a double headed serpent made from tiny pieces of turquoise one of the stars of the british museum. The serpent had great religious value for the aztecs.
Today he is with an object made by the aztecs of present day mexico. The sculpture depicts an undulating serpent with a head on each side. Serpent imagery occurs throughout the religious iconography of mesoamerica. Composed of mostly turquoise pieces applied to a wood base, it is one of nine. Composed of mostly turquoise pieces applied to a wood base, it is one of nine mosaics of similar material in the. Peter andreas munch norse mythology legends of gods and heroes. The doubleheaded serpent looks like two wavy snakes acting as the others tail.
Composed of mostly turquoise pieces applied to a wood base, it is one of nine mosaics of similar material in the british museum. Doubleheaded serpent a history of the world in 100 objects. The serpent played a very important role in aztec religion. They forged an imperial dynasty based on military prowess and a network of longdistance trade and tribute routes that stretched from the caribbean to the pacific. Both of the snakes faces have one hole for an eye and a mouth filled with white fangs.
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