kukul

Kukul, often written Kukulkan or K'uk'ulkan, is the Maya feathered serpent deity central to Maya religion. The name is Yucatec Maya and is commonly translated as "feathered serpent." The deity is part of the broader Mesoamerican tradition of feathered serpents and is considered a counterpart of Quetzalcoatl in Aztec culture.

In Maya belief, Kukulkan represents magical power, wind, rain, agriculture, and knowledge; the deity appears in sculpture, reliefs, and ritual practice across the Yucatán Peninsula and beyond. The figure is associated with calendars and celestial cycles, and the serpent motif appears on temples, stelae, and other ceremonial objects.

The best-known architectural representation is the Temple of Kukulkan at Chichen Itza, also known as El Castillo. The pyramid has four sides, each rising in 91 steps, totaling 364 steps; adding the top platform yields 365, aligning with the solar year. During the spring and autumn equinoxes, the setting sun creates a serpentine shadow on the pyramid’s stairway, often described as Kukulkan the serpent descending.

The feathered serpent motif appears in other Maya centers and is linked with the broader Mesoamerican figure of Quetzalcoatl. Scholars study its symbolism in architecture, sculpture, and astronomy to understand regional beliefs and their connections.

In modern times, Kukulkan remains a symbol of Maya heritage. Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major tourist destination in Mexico; the figure continues to influence contemporary art, culture, and popular references.