Kukulcán
/kuː.kulˈkɑːn/noun
Kukulcán is a major feathered-serpent deity of Yucatec Maya tradition, associated especially with Chichén Itzá.
Did you know?At Chichén Itzá, the equinox light-and-shadow effect on the El Castillo pyramid is popularly interpreted as Kukulcán descending to Earth, although the exact ancient intention remains debated.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Mayan period
Proto-Mayan
*k'uk'
“Reconstructed root associated with the quetzal or a resplendent feather”
Proto-Mayan period
Proto-Mayan
*kaan
“Reconstructed word for snake or serpent”
Pre-Columbian era
Yucatec Maya
K'uk'ulkan
“A compound meaning approximately “Feathered Serpent””
9th–13th Centuries
Maya
K'uk'ulkan
“Feathered-serpent deity and ruling or celestial power in Maya religious tradition”
16th Century
Spanish
Kukulcán
“Spanish colonial transcription of the Maya deity's name”
Modern English
English
Kukulkan
“The feathered-serpent god of Yucatec Maya tradition, also known as the deity of Chichén Itzá”
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