| Moctezuma's headdress | Material Feathers of quetzal, Lovely cotinga, Roseate spoonbill, Piaya cayana, gold | Size 116 cm high, 175 cm diameter | Present location Museum of Ethnology, Vienna, Austria | Identification 10402VO |
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What type of bird was used for feathers in the clothing and headdresses of the Aztecs?
Feathers were used to make many types of objects from arrows, fly whisks, fans, complicated headdresses and fine clothing. By the reign of the Aztec ruler Ahuizotl, richer feathers from tropical areas came to the Aztec Empire with quetzal and the finest feathers used by Moctezuma's reign.
What feathers are used in Aztec headdresses?
In addition to the quetzal , especially precious feathers came from brightly-colored tropical birds such as the lovely cotinga, macaw, parrot, hummingbird, oropendula, emerald toucanet, and troupial. However, more common feathers of domesticated birds such as ducks and turkeys were also used.
Did Aztecs wear feathered headdresses?
The Aztecs would use brightly colored feathers in headdresses worn by their leaders , including the great Aztec emperor Moctezuma. ... The importance of feathers appears to stem from the many references of birds in Aztec culture.
Which bird feather was prized more than gold Mayan kings?
Worth more than its weight in gold
As witnessed by ancient sculptures and paintings, the long tail coverts were highly valued as personal adornments by the Aztec and Maya nobility. Mayan kings prized the green tail feathers of the quetzal more than gold itself.
How many Aztec gods are there in total?
The Aztecs believed in a complex and diverse pantheon of gods and goddesses. In fact, scholars have identified more than 200 deities within Aztec religion.
Are Aztec warriors Mexican?
In fact, the legacy of the Aztecs directly relates to that of the Mexica culture, one of the nomadic Chichimec people that entered the Valley of Mexico by circa 1200 AD. The Mexica were both farmers and hunter-gatherers, but they were mostly known by their brethren to be fierce warriors .
What bird is the tribal god of the Aztec?
Huitzilopochtli, also spelled Uitzilopochtli, also called Xiuhpilli (“Turquoise Prince”) and Totec (“Our Lord”), Aztec sun and war god, one of the two principal deities of Aztec religion, often represented in art as either a hummingbird or an eagle .
What bird feathers did the Aztecs use?
Quetzal feathers , which are bright green and blue, were the most prized. The word quetzal is Aztec in origin, and in their native language of Nahuatl is means, “feathers, precious, and beautiful.” In some cultures only the king and his family were allowed to wear and use quetzal feathers.
What kind of jewelry did the Aztecs wear?
Aztec jewelry comprised of necklaces with charms and pendants, armlets, bracelets, leg bracelets, bells and rings. One common form of Aztec jewelry was the ear plug or ear spool , commonly worn by both men and women.
Who conquered the Aztecs in 1521?
Tenochtitlán, the capital city of the Aztec Empire, flourished between A.D. 1325 and 1521—but was defeated less than two years after the arrival of Spanish invaders led by Cortés.
What did feathers mean to the Aztecs?
Endowed with sacred meaning, feathers were associated with the Aztec patron deity Huitzilopochtli and the mythical god of featherworkers, Coyotlinahual . Feathers were incorporated into many aspects of life, including traditional clothing, armor for warfare, elaborate headdresses, and beautiful works of art.
What animal is associated with Aztec warriors?
Jaguar – a symbol of skill, strength, and military prowess
In their culture, the Jaguar became the symbol of the Aztecs' most elite warriors – the Jaguar Warriors.
What feathers did the Mayans use?
Yes, the Maya and the Aztecs used the feathers of many different kinds of birds in their art. In addition to the quetzal, especially precious feathers came from brightly-colored tropical birds such as the lovely cotinga, macaw, parrot, hummingbird, oropendula, emerald toucanet, and troupial.
What is Mexican Feathercraft?
This type of artwork was being sold on the web as Mexican folk art or Mexican Feathercraft, apparently from its process of using colorful bird feathers to re-create exotic birds on board . ... The original artists were highly prized along with their works, and the feathers themselves were considered as precious as gold.
What happened to Quetzalcoatl?
However, according to legendary accounts, Quetzalcoatl was banished from Tula after committing transgressions while under the influence of a rival. During his exile, he embarked upon an epic journey through southern Mexico, where he visited many independent kingdoms.
