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

2. Teotihuacan

3. 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

4. 1: Child Dedicatory Sacrifices
Modified from Leopoldo Batres (1906) Teotihuacan – Memoria Que Presenta Leopoldo Batres. Imprenta de Fidencio S. Soria. Ciudad de Mexico

5. 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

6. 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

7. 4: Replicates Primordial Landscape 5: Water Mountain, the altepetl
The Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Sun embodies the Olmec concept of Primordial Landscape

8. 4: Replicates Primordial Landscape 5: Water Mountain, the altepetl
Aztlan
La Venta
Tenochtitlan

9. 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

10. 1: Plumed Serpent – Aspect of Storm God
Undulating serpent
Lightning bolt
Lightning bolt
Codex Borbonicus
Codex Vaticanus A
Codex Ixtlilxóchitl

11. 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

12. 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 

13. 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

14. 4: Plumed Serpent – The Gatekeeper
Entrance to the Sacred Core of Teotihuacan

15. 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

16. 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

17. 7: Plumed Serpent: Calendric Powers
Temple of the Plumed Serpent with
E-Group Formation
Aligns with
Spring Equinox
Autumn Equinox
Summer Solstice
Winter Solstice

18. Discussion

19. Pyramid of the Plumed Serpent

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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