Quetzalcóatl and Guadalupe: The formation of Mexican national consciousness, 1531-1813

by Jacques Lafaye

"In this study of complex beliefs in which Aztec religion and Spanish Catholicism blend, Lafaye demonstrates the importance of religious beliefs in the formation of the Mexican nation. Far from being of only parochial interest, this volume is of great value to any historian of religions concerned with problems of nativism and syncretism."—Franke J. Neumann, Religious Studies Review

Genres: History, Religion

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A man is better defined by his beliefs than by his ideas. x
"The Mexican people, after more than two centuries of experiments and defeats, have faith only in the Virgin of Guadalupe and the National Lottery." xi
"The most complex and original creation of New Spain was not individual but collective, not an artistic, but a religious creation: the cult of the Virgin of Guadalupe." xvviii
"The fall of Tula and the flight of Quetzalcoatl ushered in an interregnum in Anahuac. Centuries later the Aztec state arose, created like that of Tula by newly civilized barbarians. The Aztecs founded Mexico- Tenochtitlan in the image of Tula, which had been founded in the image of Teotihuacan. In ancient Mexico legitimacy had a religious character." xx
Forward by Octavio Paz
"History, Marc Bloch, wrote in a cruel time, 'must endlessly join the study of the dead to that of the living.' "
A pivitol moment was in 1680 when for the first time appeared over the arches which greeted a new viceroy, there were figures from pre-Hispanic history instead of the traditional. "It was nothing less than a revolution to substiture for the traditional and quasi-sacred Greco-Latin mythology the mythology of the Mexican indians." p. 65
It should be noted that Sor Juana's work was an "essential link" in the formation of Mexican national consciousness.
The author believes that the force of the Virgin of Quadalupe will fade, but that Quetzalcoatl may reemerge with strength. The author's secularity is not false, but it carries within itself a certain disrespect which gives a cruel edge to his viewpoint. It must be remembered that all of these spiritual images required a believing populace to give them validity.

[Fernandocortes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro obligatorio en la vabecera de todo Mexicano. Prologo escrito por nuestro unico premio Nobel de Literatura: Octavio Paz. Libro de analisis e investigacion profunda sobre los origenes documentados de nuestras creencias historicas en el caso de la Guadalupe. Muy bueno

[Marisol · Rating 5 out of 5]

"La exaltación del muerto pasado indio coexistía con el odio y el temor ante el indio vivo."

"Existen dos constantes de la historia mexicana: la obsesión por la legitimidad y el sentimiento de orfandad."

"Guadalupe fue el Norte (el polo) espiritual de la conciencia nacional mexicana en busca de sí misma."

-Apropiación de la élite criolla del pasado indígena y de la virgen de Guadalupe.
-Los españoles podían reivindicar a México en nombre de la profecía de Quetzalcoatl.
-La creencia de que Quetzalcoatl era en realidad Santo Tomás, expandida por los criollos, reivindicaba la dignidad e igualdad de los mexicanos frente a los europeos.

[Elizabeth Vilchis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally go to finish this book and I was pleasantly surprised. Lafayette made deep meaningful connections and analysis surrounding the religious syncretism in Mexico. Excellent take.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a discussion of how the religious ideas of pre-conquest Mexico were force fit into Spanish and Catholic mythologies. The information was good, but the writing was awkward.

[Guy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting take on the evolution of a shared sense of belonging based on shared myths emanating from deep in the common subconscious of different ethnic groups shared the same geographic space.

[Paola Yocheved · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un classico!!!!!!!
Cinque stelle.