Tovar Codex, Atemoztli, 16th Month Aztec Calendar

Head wearing a headdress with green feathers holding a blue snake staff and a water vessel. Above this head is another of a woman with a roundel above her forehead. Above her a hand of leaves of grass. This month, identified as that of Thomas the Apostle, is called Atemoztli (Water Descends). The month was dedicated to Tlaloc. The couatopilli is a common attribute of Tlaloc. The headdress is the same as that in the month of Tepeilhuitl. Chalchiuhtlicue, described variously as the mother, wife, or sister of Tlaloc and goddess of lakes and streams, is indicated by the chalchiuitl (green jade) above her head. The Tovar Codex (16th century) contains detailed information about the rites and ceremonies of the Aztecs. The codex is illustrated with 51 full-page paintings in watercolor. Illustration taken from a 19th century transcript of Juan de Tovar's Historia de la benida de los yndios apoblar a Mexico (the Codex Tovar)

Picture No

12696122

Media ID

47670696

Size

3195px x 4200px (1.9MB)

Credit

LOC/Jay I. Kislak Collection/Science Source/Mary Evans