Quetzalcōātl

Quetzalcoatl (quetzal-bird snake, feathered serpent), one of the main gods of the Toltec and Aztec civilizations in Mexico and northern Central America, called Kukulkán by the Maya. Originally the god of the morning star and the evening star, over time he became known as the inventor of books and the calendar, and the symbol of death and resurrection. Quetzalcoatl was also the patron of the priests and the title of the Aztec high priest.

The worship of Quetzalcoatl included human sacrifices. According to legend, he will return in another age. Moctezuma, the last Aztec king, initially believed the landing of Cortés in 1519 would mean that return. Quetzalcoatl was worshiped roughly between 700-1520.