Aztec mythology; Indian mythology -- Mexico; Mexico -- Religion
Codex Borgia.—In the Codex Borgia (sheet 61, lower half) the lower
portion of his face is painted red, but its upper part, as well as the
rest of his body which is visible, is coloured yellow. On the cheek is
seen a rectangular surface divided into compartments, each of which is
tinted a different colour, the distinctive painting of the maize-gods,
which, it is believed, symbolizes the maize-field with its many hues. A
“gobber” tooth hangs from his mouth as a sign of great age, for as
creator he was regarded as one of the most venerable among the gods.
Around his forehead is a head-band enriched with precious stones, which
recalls that frequently worn by the Sun-god. His necklet consists of a
casket of jewels, with lid and feet, on which is represented the symbol
of the chalchihuitl jewel. [169] On sheet 60 Tonacaciuatl, the female
form of this deity, is depicted in the act of handing Tonacatecutli a
flower, symbolic of life or blood. Above this figure is the picture of
a red snake, also symbolizing blood. The god wears a jaguar-skin and
the goddess an eagle’s, thus illustrating their patronage of the
military orders who wore those dresses. (For similar readings, see
Codex Laud, 34–5 K). In sheet 57 (lower right-hand corner) he is
represented as wearing a beard of black eagle-feathers.
Codex Vaticanus B.—In Codex Vaticanus B (sheet 87) Tonacatecutli is
represented with Quetzalcoatl’s head and neck ornaments, combined with
the jewelled fillet and bird’s head on forehead. He wears a long beard
reaching to the feet.
TONACACIUATL = “LADY OF OUR SUBSISTENCE”
Minor Names:
Omeciuatl = “Twofold Lady.”
Citlalinicue = “Starry Skirt.”
Calendar Place: Same as that of Tonacatecutli.
Compass Direction: Same as that of Tonacatecutli.
Symbol: Same as that of Tonacatecutli.
ASPECT AND INSIGNIA
General.—In Codex Fejérváry-Mayer (sheet 10) the drawn-in angle of the
mouth and the female figure point to the inference that here is
depicted Tonacaciuatl, who is identified by the interpreters with
Xochiquetzal. In Codex Telleriano-Remensis and Codex Vaticanus A we
find her standing in front of the male creative god Tonacatecutli. In
the latter MS. the first interpreter calls her Tonagacigua, and the
third Xochiquetzal, Oxomoco, and Chicomecohuatl. The picture shown
under the nineteenth week of Codex Telleriano-Remensis pictures her
with precisely the same dress and emblems as Xochiquetzal (q.v.).
MYTHS
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account