Quetzalcóatl

Quetzalcóatl (Nahuatl, “plumed serpent”), ancient Mexican god identified with the morning and evening star. He is said to have ruled the pre-Aztec Toltec empire and to have invented books and the calendar. He represented the forces of good and light; whether he was an historical leader or merely mythological is not certain. The Aztec leader Montezuma II welcomed Hernándo Cortés, believing him to be descended from the god.

See also: Mythology.