Doubled-headed or paired serpents are an enduring theme in Mesoamerican mythology and religion.
In the Aztec language, Nahuatl, the word "coatl" means serpent or twin and forms part of  the
name of important deities such as Quetzalcoatl and Coatlicue.

This mosaic was probably made by Mixtec artisans working for the Aztec Royal Court, and
may have been among the treasures given by the Emperor Mocetuzohma II to Cortes
upon his arrival on the coast of Mexico in 1519.

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