"Serpent Dragon Bicephalic Deity" (details from "Turquoise Mosaic of a double-headed serpent") (1400 - 1521) British Museum, London, England, UK

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 Cortez upon his arrival on the coast of Mexico in 1519.