History Main / FeatheredSerpent

Please note that a character or creature being called a Feathered Serpent or Plumed Serpent or being named after the [[TropeCodifier Trope Codifiers]], the gods Kukulkan, Q'uq'umatz and Quetzalcoatl, does not automatically make them a carrier of this trope. It's the image that's important, not the name. Some examples of this are Quetzalcoatl from WesternAnimation/GodzillaTheSeries, who was more or less a {{Kaiju}} [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeopteryx Archaeopteryx]], and another Quetzalcoatl from Literature/TheSecretsOfTheImmortalNicholasFlamel, who is pretty much human in appearance aside from having a feathered tail and forked tongue.

* Many dinosaurs did indeed have feathers. {{Pteros|oar}}aurs didn't, but one genus (''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetzalcoatlus Quetzalcoatlus]]'') was named after the Aztec deity due to its long snake-like neck and the plume-like crest on its head.

* The giant pterosaur [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetzalcoatlus Quetzalcoatlus]] though neither feathered or a serpent it should be noted that it is named after Quetzalcoatl, the TropeNamer. It likely received the name due to its long snake-like neck and the crest on its head, which could have resembled a plume.

''Feathered Serpents'', also known as ''Plumed Serpents'' or ''Quetzalcoatl'', are supernatural entities featured in many [[UsefulNotes/PreColumbianCivilizations Mesoamerican cultures]], starting from the Olmecs. Naturally, this makes this trope OlderThanDirt. Its name at the time was likely meant to represent [[LiminalBeing the dual nature of the entity]]: its feathers were meant to show its divine nature for showing the ability to fly, while the fact that it's a serpent represents its human nature with its ability to creep on the ground among other animals of the Earth. This was a very common among Mesoamerican deities. Nowadays, though, this trope mostly gets used due to RuleOfCool.

** Male basilisks are stated to have a scarlet plume on it's head.
** The Occamy has a serpentine body with a plume and wings.

* ''Literature/TheKaneChronicles'': The uraei are cobras with eagle wings, thankfully they are creatures of [[BigGood Ra]].

* ''Series/LostTapes'': Quetzalcoatl is featured in the 32 episode.

* [[UsefulNotes/PreColumbianCivilizations Mesoamerican Mythology]]: Naturally gives us the TropeNamers or possibly just the trope namer since many of their feathered serpents may have actually have been the same god, much like how Myth/RomanMythology is a sort of ContinuityReboot of Myth/GreekMythology.

[[folder: Tabletop Game ]]

* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'': Quetzalcoatl is a deity present in the game.

* ''VideoGame/RuneScape'': The Cockatrice and it's [[http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Trices variants]] all have serpentine bodies along with the legs and wings of a bird.

* ''Website/TheOnion'': Kukulkan makes an appearance in this [[http://www.theonion.com/article/pope-francis-hosts-feathered-serpent-god-part-deit-53917 article]], participating in a [[CrossoverCosmology Diety Exchange Program]] in the UsefulNotes/VaticanCity.

* ''Film/QTheWingedSerpent'': Quetzalcoatl or simply Q appears and though [[GenderBender she]] has some traits of snakes and birds she mostly [[AvertedTrope averts this trope]] and looks more like a generic dragon. Varies references and allusions to this trope are used though.

''Feathered Serpents'', also known as ''Plumed Serpents'' or ''Quetzalcoatl'', are supernatural entities featured in many [[UsefulNotes/PreColumbianCivilizations Mesoamerican cultures]], starting from the Olmecs. Naturally, this makes this trope OlderThanDirt. Its name at the time was likely meant to represent [[LiminalBeing the dual nature of the entity]]: Its feathers were meant to show its divine nature for showing the ability to fly, while the fact that it's a serpent represents its human nature with its ability to creep on the ground among other animals of the Earth. This was a very common among Mesoamerican deities. Nowadays, though, this trope mostly gets used due to RuleOfCool.

Please note that being called a ''Feathered Serpent'', ''Plumed Serpent'' or being named after the [[TropeCodifier Trope Codifiers]] ''Kukulkan''/''Q'uq'umatz''/''Quetzalcoatl'' does not automatically make them a carrier of this trope. It's the image that's important not the name. Some examples of this are Quetzalcoatl from WesternAnimation/GodzillaTheSeries who was more or less a {{Kaiju}} [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeopteryx Archaeopteryx]] and another Quetzalcoatl from Literature/TheSecretsOfTheImmortalNicholasFlamel is pretty much human in appearance aside from having a feathered tail and forked tongue.

Related to BasiliskAndCockatrice, which could be considered an Old World equivalent.

A SubTrope of MixAndMatchCritters, OurDragonsAreDifferent, and OurGodsAreDifferent depending on how it's used. Depending on whether the serpent is benevolent/Good or malevolent/Evil in nature, it can overlap with either DragonsAreDivine or DragonsAreDemonic.

Please note that being called a ''Feathered Serpent'', ''Plumed Serpent'' or being named after the [[TropeCodifier Trope Codifiers]] Kukulkan/Q'uq'umatz/Quetzalcoatl does not automatically make them a carrier of this trope. It's the image that's important not the name. Some examples of this are Quetzalcoatl from WesternAnimation/GodzillaTheSeries who was more or less a {{Kaiju}} [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeopteryx Archaeopteryx]] and another Quetzalcoatl from Literature/TheSecretsOfTheImmortalNicholasFlamel is pretty much human in appearance aside from having a feathered tail and forked tongue.

* [[UsefulNotes/PreColumbianCivilizations Mesoamerican Mythology]]: Naturally gives us the TropeNamers or possibly just the trope namer since many of their feathered serpents may have actually have been the same god, much like how RomanMythology is a sort of ContinuityReboot of GreekMythology.

* ''[[VideoGame/MightAndMagic Might & Magic VIII: Day of The Destroyer]]'': The Young Couatl, Couatl and presumably the Winged Serpent (they share the same sprite) are this having serpentine bodies and avian looking wings.

* ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'': The ''Crimson Dragon'' maybe this since it was revealed to be Quetzalcoatl in one episode. The juries out on whither or not it's actually feathered though, definitely serpentine though.

* ''VideoGame/{{Smite}}'': Kukulkan one of the TropeNamers is a playable character, and one of his skins turn him into Quetzalcoatl (and speaking 99% in Brazillian language).

** Although Dragonhawks in ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII'' were giant birds, they were redesigned when they debuted in ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft as creatures with serpentine bodies and wings that look like a cross between a bat and a butterfly, with feather-like appendages all over their bodies.

[[folder: Film ]]

* ''Film/TheFlyingSerpent'': Quetzalcoatl appears to be some sort of dragon having both arms and legs, though still manages to resemble a snake with feathered wings. Film/QTheWingedSerpent is a light remake.
* ''Film/QTheWingedSerpent'': Quetzalcoatl or simply Q appears and though [[GenderBender she]] has some traits of snakes and birds she mostly [[AvertedTrope averts this trope]] and looks more like a generic dragon. Varies references and allusions to this trope are used though.

[[folder: Live Action TV ]]

* ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooAndTheMonsterOfMexico'': A animatronic robot of Quetzalcoatl is a minor monster in the movie.

* ''Literature/HarryPotter'': Though it's not much male basilisks are stated to have a scarlet plume on it's head. Though, that's more inspired by medieval bestiaries ascribing basilisks with a cockerel-like comb.

* [[UsefulNotes/{{Vietnam}} Vietnam Mythology]]: The Vietnamese dragons in Vietnams prehistory may be this since they are a [[MixAndMatchCritters combination]] between crocodiles, '''snakes''', cats, rats and '''birds'''.

* Myth/EgyptianMythology: Wadjet is sometimes depicted as a having the body of a [[MixAndMatchCritters snake, wings of a bird and head of a woman]].

''Feathered Serpents'', also known as ''Plumed Serpents'' or ''Quetzalcoatl'', are supernatural entities featured in many [[UsefulNotes/PreColumbianCivilizations Mesoamerican cultures]], starting from the Olmecs. Naturally, this makes this trope OlderThanDirt. Its name at the time was likely meant to represent the dual nature of the entity: Its feathers were meant to show its divine nature for showing the ability to fly, while the fact that it's a serpent represents its human nature with its ability to creep on the ground among other animals of the Earth. This was a very common among Mesoamerican deities. Nowadays, though, this trope mostly gets used due to RuleOfCool.

Please note that being called a ''Feathered Serpent'', ''Plumed Serpent'' or being named after the TropeCodifiers Kukulkan/Q'uq'umatz/Quetzalcoatl does not automatically make them a carrier of this trope. It's the image that's important not the name. Some examples of this are Quetzalcoatl from WesternAnimation/GodzillaTheSeries who was more or less a {{Kaiju}} [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeopteryx Archaeopteryx]] and another Quetzalcoatl from Literature/TheSecretsOfTheImmortalNicholasFlamel is pretty much human in appearance aside from having a feathered tail and forked tongue.

Feathered Serpents, also known as ''Plumed Serpents'' or ''Quetzalcoatl'', are supernatural entities featured in many [[UsefulNotes/PreColumbianCivilizations Mesoamerican cultures]], starting from the Olmecs. Naturally, this makes this trope OlderThanDirt. Its name at the time was likely meant to represent the dual nature of the entity: Its feathers were meant to show its divine nature for showing the ability to fly, while the fact that it's a serpent represents its human nature with its ability to creep on the ground among other animals of the Earth. This was a very common among Mesoamerican deities. Nowadays, though, this trope mostly gets used due to RuleOfCool.

A SubTrope of MixAndMatchCritters, OurDragonsAreDifferent, and OurGodsAreDifferent depending on how it's used. Depending on whether the serpent is benevolent/Good or malevolent/Evil in nature, it can overlap with either DragonsAreDivine or DragonsAreDemonic.

[[AC:Anime and Manga]]

[[AC:Comics]]

[[AC:Film]]

[[AC:Literature]]

[[AC:Live Action TV]]

[[AC:Mythology & Religion]]

[[AC:TabletopGame]]

[[AC:Video Games]]

[[AC:Web Original]]

[[AC:Western Animation]]

[[AC:Real Life]]

* ''VideoGame/{{Smite}}'': Kukulkan one of the TropeNamers is a playable character.

* ''WesternAnimation/AladdinTheSeries'': Malcho is a nature spirit in the form of this.

* ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'': A interesting example, Quetzalcoatl; yes that [[Myth/AztecMythology Quetzalcoatl]], is not a plumed serpent himself, instead he's only [[MixAndMatchCritters half-serpent and half-human]].

* ''WesternAnimation/GodzillaTheSeries'' sees (God)zilla Jr. battle a monster named Quetzalcoatl - a giant volcano-dwelling bird-reptile monster from Central America, in this case.

* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'': Quezovercoatl is depicted as a feathered boa by his worshippers, [[spoiler:he actually looks nothing like that]].

* EgyptianMythology: Wadjet is sometimes depicted as a having the body of a [[MixAndMatchCritters snake, wings of a bird and head of a woman]].

* ''VideoGame/LEGOHarryPotter'': The basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets has a scarlet plume on it's head, despite not having one in the book or movie.

* ''Franchise/StarTrek The Animated Series'': episode "How Sharper Than A Serpent's Tooth". The highly advanced space alien Kukulkan is one of the Ancient Astronauts in the Star Trek universe. He is a giant snake-like being with wings and feathers who was the inspiration for the Mesoamerican legends of Kukulkan and Quetzalcoatl.

* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darter Darters]], also known as snakebirds, are aquatic birds that got their alternative name after their long, snakelike necks.

* ''Literature/HarryPotter'': Though it's not much male basilisks are stated to have a scarlet plume on it's head.

* The [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetzalcoatlus Quetzalcoatlus]] though neither feathered or a serpent it should be noted that it is named after Quetzalcoatl, the TropeNamer. It likely received the name due to its long snake-like neck and the crest on its head, which could have resembled a plume.

* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'': Quezovercoatl is depicted as a feathered boa, [[spoiler:he actually looks nothing like that]].