Quetzalcoatl

Technique & Style

Folk, Painting

Figures

Quetzalcoatl

Symbols

headpiece, plant

Notes

Artist statement: "The feathered serpent, or Quetzalcoatl, is a deity prevalent in several Mesoamerican religions. He is the creator of the universe, a symbol of rebirth (his ability to shed skin and become new) and of Heaven (his feathers and ability to fly), and a creature with a divine and dual nature. Historians have noticed similarities between prophecies of him returning to the Mesoamerican people and prophecies of Christ coming to visit the people in ancient America. Maybe they are talking about the same being, but we both have different images and names for what he is. Maybe not. Either way, studying Mesoamerican religions and considering their spirituality has strengthened my testimony of the Book of Mormon, and I have found personal connections between their religion and my own. This further strengthens my testimony that we are all children of the same God, and invites me to see my spirituality with new eyes. I believe exploring different religious visual iconography can help me with that."

Commissioned Status

Submitted to the 2024 BYU Book of Mormon Art Contest.

Church Name

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints