Aztec mythology; Indian mythology -- Mexico; Mexico -- Religion
Codex Borgia.—By far the best representation of Tezcatlipocâ in any of
the manuscripts is that to be found on page 17 of Codex Borgia, where
he is seen in connection with the insignia of the twenty calendric
days. The picture on the lower right portion of page 21 is without
these symbols, but is almost identical with the former figure. The god
wears the black body-paint of a priest, and his face-painting is
similar to that of Uitzilopochtli, that is, it consists of black
horizontal stripes upon a yellow ground, the latter having the same
origin as in the case of Uitzilopochtli. From his back rises a very
large and elaborate bunch of feather plumes, which arches itself over
his head. His hair, dressed in a manner which resembles the
“night-hair” of Mictlantecutli, is ornamented with feather-balls as
indicating his sacrificial character, and in the picture on page 21
several of these depend from his side-locks. He wears the white ring
(anauatl) on his breast, and a short tunic, seemingly covered with
stellar devices. His right foot ends in the smoking mirror symbolic of
his name and in which he was supposed to observe the actions of
humanity, and on page 21 he carries the jaguar-skin purse in which the
priests placed copal for incense. In his left hand he holds a shield,
the field of which is a tawny yellow in colour, traversed by two white
stripes, and a paper banner. On page 3 the god is shown in a springing
attitude. He wears the face and body-paint characteristic of him, and
the warrior’s headdress, with hair tousled on one side, and the blue
nasal rod, with square plaque, falling over the mouth. At the side of
the head is the fiery mirror which gives him his name. On page 14 he is
seen wearing on his breast, and fastened to two strong red leather
straps, the white ring teocuitlaanauatl, an ornament resembling a
large, round eye. On his back is a feather device known as the “quetzal
feather-pot.” The right foot, as in other pictures of him, is replaced
by a small fiery mirror and his left by an obsidian knife.
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