The Quetzal - Sacred Bird
The resplendent quetzal as symbol of freedom, beauty, and divine presence.
The quetzal's iridescent green feathers were more precious than gold. A quetzal in captivity dies, making it a symbol of freedom. Its feathers adorned royalty and represented connection to the divine. The quetzal teaches that some things cannot be possessed.
The quetzal cannot be caged; like truth and beauty, it must be free.
The quetzal symbolizes the Mayan understanding of sacred beauty and freedom.
Colonial Sources