The divine leader of the Toltecs had been a legendary chieftain. Generations of later Toltec chieftains used the name Quetzalcoatl . to mean "wise leader who enjoys the favor of the Gods". Part of the Quetzalcoatl legend claimed that he promised to return and restore the Toltec kingdom of Tula one day.

Quetzalcoatl 's promise to return was believed to have contributed to the later defeat of the Aztec ruler Montezuma II who mistook Hernan Cortez for the famed God and welcomed him with religous awe--and therefore granted him special protection.

Several Maya sacred texts refer to the Toltec god Quetzalcoatl by the name of Kukulcán. There are many examples of the Kukulcán cult to be found in the art and architecture of Chichén-Itzá.

The large heads of Kukulcán are found in the newer part of the city. These sculptures can be seen at the foot of the stairway to The Castle. They compliment the impressive effect of the descent of Kukulcán during the Equinox. At mid aftertoon on the days of the Equinox the shadow that covers the northeast angle of the pyramid is refelcted on the stairway and forms triangles of light and shade that imitates the movement of a serpent.

This effect is more impressive because it touches the large head of Kukulcán at the bottom of the stairway, making it seem as though the serpent was slowly and magically descending the pyramid. This effect could only be obtained by precise architectural and astronomical measurements.

On one of the walls of the Temple of the Warriors in the newer part of Chichén-Itzá you will see another example of a stone carving of Kukulcán. The temple's facade is composed of a sloping elevation and a large wall which contain this example of a representation of Kukulcán--the feathered serpent.

[Based on Let's Learn about Chichén-Itzá , Chichén-Itzá: The City of the Wise Men of the Water. by Roman Chan and All About the Mayas. by C. Dorese. published by Producción Editorial Dante (Mérida, Mexico). All available in paperback and highly recommended.]