|The Quetzal bird of Central America ( Ket-zal) and the rattle snake
shared the position of most reviered creatures by the ancient Maya. The
feathers of the irradencent Quetzal were used in Royal costume and ceremonial
garb for kings and priests. The Quetzal symboloized the movement of Creation
and the will of the Creator come to earth. As the Serpent moves side to
side on the ground, the Quetzal flaps and glides through the jungle. That
is it moves up and down in it progression. The Maya knew that Creation
moves from Day to Night or Creation to Destruction in a wave like pattern.
The Maya married the two creatures, Quetzal and Serpent into Quetzal Coatl. (Plumbed Serpent) This diety is the movement of Creation and all effects so produced by that movement. That means you and me and everything we can think, feel or see, are all part of the Plumbed Serpent and his/her movement.
Serpent skins, bones and rattles were used in most Maya's clothing
and personal effects as sacred decoration. Serpent venonm was used as
a prescription by Maya shaman for a number of treatments or cures.