"Quetzalcoatl Shield"

“Quetzalcoatl Shield”

ORIGINAL SERIGRAPH

This piece is inspired by an archeological finding in the Midwest U.S. This was, however, reminiscent of all the depictions of the Aztec God Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent.

The idea of the snake represents both the Terrestrial and the Celestial. The legend tells that Quetzalcoatl was against human sacrifice. He managed to convince his followers, but other Aztec cults opposed this reform because their Gods relied on a steady flow of blood. His opposers got him drunk on an aphrodisiac concoction which made him behave unlike himself, and therefore he fell in disgrace.

One version claims that Quetzalcoatl sailed away to the West in a raft of serpents and birds he built, leaving a prophecy behind: that he or one of his sons would one day return from the East and reclaim the throne.

This version explains why Cortés arrived dressed in feathers and Montezuma relinquished his throne to him so easily. Quetzalcoatl is revered as the god of sustenance, self-sacrifice and rebirth. He discovered maize, created fire, gave instruction on music and dance, cured ailments, helped with fertility problems and gave the priests the practice of curandero.

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