the bird is of great relevance to guatemalan culture, being a character in the widely popular legend of the local hero tecún umán, a prince and warrior of the quiché (k'iche') maya during the latter stages of the spanish conquest of the region. this quetzal was his "nahual" (spirit guide). the quiché repelled several attacks from the spanish army, even though outmatched in weaponry (guns, armor and cavalry against spears and arrows).