The Plumed Serpent and the Political Factions of Teotihuacan Hector M. Córdova ● California State University, Los Angeles ● November 2, 2013

Teotihuacan

Pyramid of the Sun Attributes of Teotihuacan’s Largest Temple 1. Child Dedicatory Sacrifices 2. Subterranean Water Systems 3. Tlaloc is “Path under the Earth” 4. Replicates Primordial Landscape 5. Water Mountain, the archetypal altepetl

1: Child Dedicatory Sacrifices Modified from Leopoldo Batres (1906) Teotihuacan – Memoria Que Presenta Leopoldo Batres. Imprenta de Fidencio S. Soria. Ciudad de Mexico

2: Subterranean Water Systems Modified from René Millon, 1981 Artificial water stream apparatus in cave below Temple of the Sun Tlachihualtépetl, Cholula with water deity symbol on top and water stream below

3: Tlaloc is Path under the Earth Modified from René Millon, 1981 cave Entrance is left to right. Note the long and winding path of the cave, a literal translation of the word Tlaloc

4: Replicates Primordial Landscape 5: Water Mountain, the altepetl The Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Sun embodies the Olmec concept of Primordial Landscape

4: Replicates Primordial Landscape 5: Water Mountain, the altepetl Aztlan La Venta Tenochtitlan

Pyramid of the Plumed Serpent Attributes of the Plumed Serpent 1. An Aspect of the Storm God 2. Operates under Auspices and Domain of the Storm God 3. Enforcer and Protector 4. Gatekeeper 5. Symbolic of Rulership 6. Endowed with Calendric Powers 7. Subordinate to the Storm God

1: Plumed Serpent – Aspect of Storm God Undulating serpent Lightning bolt Lightning bolt Codex Borbonicus Codex Vaticanus A Codex Ixtlilxóchitl

1: Plumed Serpent – Aspect of Storm God Teotihuacan Storm God Holding a lighting bolt in form of a weapon Mural from Tetitla, Teotihuacan Rain god effigy holding lightning bolt in right hand and copal bag on left hand Ceramic from Tlaxcala, Mexico

2: Plumed Serpent – Operates under Auspices and Domain of Storm God Temple of the Plumed Serpent Tablud-tablero close up White seashells prominently used, indicate watery environ  Undulates among seashells 

Enforcer and Protector 3: Plumed Serpent – Enforcer and Protector Obsidian Eccentrics: Lightning bolts morphed as serpents Teotihuacan - Temple of Plumed Serpent, Burial 4 Travertine Eccentrics: Lightning bolts morphed as serpents Tenochtitlan – Templo Mayor Rain deity holding atlatl and lighting bolt in form of serpent Codex Vaticanus B

4: Plumed Serpent – The Gatekeeper Entrance to the Sacred Core of Teotihuacan

5: Plumed Serpent: Symbolic of Rulership Codex Mendoza Méxica Tlatoani Acamapichtli Ceramic vessel found at Zacuala, Teotihuacan Plumed Serpent head on reed mat Teotihuacan mural Images 2 & 3 modified from Karl Taube

6: Plumed Serpent Symbolic of Rulership Baton from Grave 13 pit, Teotihuacan; Plumed Serpent scepter from Cenote of Sacrifice, Chichen Itzá, Yucatán; (c) Stela 26 with ruler grasping Plumed Serpent scepter (Piedras Negras). Earliest known representation of the Plumed Serpent Monument 19, La Venta

7: Plumed Serpent: Calendric Powers Temple of the Plumed Serpent with E-Group Formation Aligns with Spring Equinox Autumn Equinox Summer Solstice Winter Solstice

Discussion

Pyramid of the Plumed Serpent

Pyramid of the Plumed Serpent Devalued by Adosada 4 of 7 Tiers Buried Filler rises to cover the 4th tier Pyramid is mostly buried Visual impact vastly reduced Power neutralized

Pyramid of the Plumed Serpent Devalued by Adosada Ritual at virtual eye level Frontal impact destroyed Reduces importance Monumentality De-emphasized Appearance more at par with other temples Original Adosada

Pyramid of the Sun Enchanced by Adosada Provides platform for ritual Emphasizes Monumentality of Sun Pyramid Vertical emphasis stresses a greater source of power Restores importance

Temple of the Sun Powers are Re-endowed New Fire Ceremonies conducted on Adosada Site of Investiture Rituals: Only a higher power can bestow such authority

Cult of Plumed Serpent Suppressed At the West Plaza Complex Feline tenon heads replace Plumed Serpent Tenon heads Feline Head Plumed Serpent Head Plumed Serpent Head

In the Post Classic My gratitude to The University of Houston & Organizers of this Conference as well as Dr. John M.D. Pohl for reviewing this presentation Dr. Manuel Aguilar-Moreno for his encouragement Tlaloc Quetzalcoatl This presentation will post on Monday, November 4th @ http://calstatela.academia.edu/HectorCordova