One of the chief gods of ancient Mesoamerica (Mexico and northern Central America). The word literally means ‘quetzal-bird snake’ and is usually translated as ‘feathered serpent’. Quetzalcóatl was also the official title of the Aztec high priest. As a god he was known throughout Mesoamerica and was called Kukulkán by the Maya. Images and temples to him appear at early sites, such as Teotihuacán in Mexico, but he was especially revered during the period c. 700–1520.