BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NAME QUETZALCOATL AND THE TOLTEC ANCESTRY OF THE ORDER

Quetzalcoatl (from the Nahuatl words quetzalli, meaning precious feather, and coatl meaning
snake or serpent) is the name of a great Mesoamerican deity. He was a god of many Nahua
peoples, a legend in their stories and the name taken and used by a great leader of the Toltec
nation. However, the image and worship of a feathered serpent preceded the Toltec, and the
later Aztec/Mexica versions of him by many centuries. A Mayan version of the feathered
serpent called Kulkulcan in Itza Maya (Yucatan) and Gukumatz in K’iche’ Maya (northern
Guatamala) existed contemporaneously with the Quetzalcoatl cult in central Mexico.

The first indications of a cult of the feathered serpent appear in the art and painting of the
Olmec culture (1400 BCE-400 BCE), specifically at Monument 19 in La Venta (Tabasco) and a
painting in the
Juxtlahuaca cave
(Guerrero). Since
the Olmec culture is
believed to be a
“mother culture” to
most of the
succeeding
civilizations of
Mexico, the spread
of a cult of the
feathered serpent
may indeed have begun with the Olmecs. The most extant representations of a feathered
serpent deity exist on the Temple of Quetzalcoatl pyramid in Teotihuacan. Since the
Teotihuacanos (200 BCE – 650 CE) left no written records, it is impossible to determine what
the feathered creature sculpted so many times into the Q Pyramid was called. Likewise, the
Toltecs (“master craftsmen” in Nahuatl) (750 CE-1150 CE), who assumed control over
Teotihuacan after the collapse of the preceding civilization, left no written records and what we
know of their religious practices and their worship of Quetzalcoatl comes from the
Aztec/Mexicas via Spanish translations of Nahuatl iconographic codices and oral legends.

The name Quetzalcoatl comes to modern scholars through the translations of several Spanish
interpretations of Aztec/Mexica codices and stories, such as Sahagun’s Florentine Codex, and
from the records of some of the conquistadors, all of which refer to the Mesoamerican god
Quetzalcoatl, as well as other gods in the pantheon of gods, such as Huichilopoxli, the God of
War and Tlaloc, the Rain God.
The Toltec capital of Tula (Hidalgo) contains numerous representations of Quetzalcoatl on their
pyramids and monuments and it is safe to say that Quetzalcoatl was a god holding great
importance for the Toltecs. So great was the stature of this god that a leader of the Toltec
nation took the name Quetzalcoatl as part of his identity. Topolitzin Ce Acatl Quetzalcoatl, son
of a Toltec chieftain, Mixcoatl and his wife Chimalma, ruled the Toltecs in Tula as a priest and
philosopher-king during the tenth century CE from approximately 927 to 969 CE. His rule was
marked by relative calm, peaceful relations with neighboring tribes, the cultivation of the arts,
the crafts and the sciences, and a ban on blood sacrifices. Although other Toltec rulers may
have later assumed the title of Quetzalcoatl, it is Topolitzin that the Order honors as the model
and ideal for the upright, honorable and charitable behavior of its members.

Thus, the Order’s namesake has two sources of its identity: a feathered serpent god who
represents the union of heavenly and earthly attributes
in one creature, and the noble ruler who taught his
people creative skills, nonviolent sacrifice, co-existence
with neighboring tribes and a peaceful harmonious
lifestyle helping others and preserving the dignity of
people.

It should be noted that mention or evidence of the Maya

version of the feathered serpent, Kulkulcan or Gukumatz, is rare in Maya classic civilization (250
CE-900 CE). It is only in the first chapters of the Popul Vuh (compiled by Father Francisco
Ximenez in 1701) that a K’iche’ feathered serpent, Gukumatz, is given credit for helping to
create the cosmos. The Itza Maya version, Kulkulcan, is generally thought to be derived from
the Toltec architectural and religious practices brought to the Yucatan by Toltec ex-patriots
following Toplitzin’s departure from Tula after expulsion by Tezcatlipoca and his followers.
Thus, the great Pyramid of El Castillo in Chichen Itza is a good example of Toltec inspired
architecture displaying the feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl, now called Kulkulcan in the Itza
Maya language.

Whether one regards Quetzalcoatl as a myth, a man, or a god, he represents for the Order the
basic Masonic traits of Brotherhood, Charitable Relief and Truth. In the ancient rites and rituals
practiced by the Toltecs under the leadership of Quetzalcoatl, one can find many parallels to
the Masonic code of conduct worthy of emulation. He stood for all that was good in the world:
peace, art, science, wisdom and prosperity.
 ABOUT THE ORDER

The Order of Quetzalcoatl was founded on March 14, 1945 by the late Arthur J. Elian, longtime
Recorder of Anezah Shrine Temple in Mexico City. He was an outstanding scholar of ancient
Mesoamerican history and of Mexican lore. His efforts to create this order resulted from his
study of Mexican legends, thought to be primarily derived from Sahagun’s 12 volume Historia
de las cosas de Espana Nueva (Florentine Codex), and possibly other Spanish texts on Nahuatl
legends and stories. His profound interest in Masonic affairs elevated him to many Masonic
honors, including Grand Master of the Muy Respectable Gran Logia Valle de Mexico, Emeritus
Registrar of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Mexico, coronation as a 33rd degree Scottish Rite
Honorary Inspector General, and Recorder Emeritus of Anezah Temple. He was fondly regarded
as Mexico’s “Mr. Mason”.

The early history of the order in Mexico has not been fully documented, but it is known that
Shrine temple visitors from Arizona and Southern California would make trips to Mexico City to
learn of Elian’s historical research and the Masonic Order founded upon his learning. They
witnessed the initiation of members into this new Order and some became members
themselves. Carrying back this information and ritual to their respective temples in the
Southwestern United States, they formed teocallis (lodges or chapters) in their respective
temples and the Order took hold in this area of the country. It soon began to expand to other
temples in other parts of the country and shortly afterwards a Supreme Teocalli was formed to
administer this growing band of chapters. After Elian’s passing, the Order’s existence in Mexico
fell away. However, in 2010, a new chapter or teocalli was formed in Mexico City with the name
Mextli No. 1, thus starting a new beginning for the order in the place where it all began.

The Order of Quetzalcoatl is the only fraternal order of American origin which follows the
masonic principles of brotherhood, charity and truth. One has to be a Mason and a Shriner to
become a member and membership is by invitation to those members of a Shrine temple who
are indeed the “hard workers”, distinguished by their service to their temple and to the
Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Besides fun and fellowship, the Order maintains its high purpose of raising and donating funds
to the Hospital transportation Fund of Shriners Hospitals for Children. These funds are used to
help pay for the transportation of the children and their parents to and from the Shrine
hospitals. In addition, members of local teocallis and officers of the Supreme Q often visit the
hospitals and engage in other fundraising activities to support the hospitals. The Order’s prime
charity is the Transportation Fund of the Mexico City Shriner’s Hospital to which is donated tens
of thousands of dollars each year.
The ritual of the Order is divided into three distinct parts. Once accepted into membership, an
individual is obligated as a Coate (tribesman). The new Coate then promises to avail himself to
receive the two degrees of the Order within a set period of time. The Artisan degree must be
obtained within one calendar year of initial membership. This full feathered ceremonial degree
qualifies a Coate to become an Artisan of the Order. Within two years of becoming an Artisan
the member must obtain the Master Artisan degree. This consecration degree can be obtained
at the annual Feast of Fire held in mid-October of each year, at the site of a Supreme Q
sponsored pilgrimage to the Temple of Quetzalcoatl in Mexico City or an authorized pilgrimage
to El Castillo in Chichen itza. Other Master Artisan conferral sites may be authorized by
Supreme Q from time to time. All Artisans and Master Artisans are encouraged to make a
pilgrimage to the Temple of Quetzalcoatl in Teotihuacan, Mexico City and to visit the Mexico
City Shriners Children’s Hospital regardless of where they obtained their degrees.

Any interested group of at least fifteen Shrine Masons residing in the same jurisdiction and in
good standing with their temple may petition Supreme Q for dispensation to form a new
teocalli. Since the Order is independent of the Shrine it is not necessary to obtain the temple’s
permission, although good practice dictates that the temple administration be informed of the
proposed teocalli. To initiate an application for dispensation to form a new teocalli, go to the
Supreme Q website at supremeq.com or call toll free at 1-888-648-4912 or mail inquiries to:

Supreme Q Office
P.O. Box 547
Fenton, MO 63026-0547