Tovar Codex, Aztec Priests Burning Incense and Offering Bloo

Two priests whose bodies are colored blue making offerings to the gods. One holds an incense burner and a bag while the other pierces himself with a cactus spine. In the center is a braided vessel with three cactus spines covered in blood that will be offered to the gods. The tlamacazqui (keepers of the gods), recognizable by their long hair held back by three rings, burn copal and offer blood to the gods by mutilating themselves with cactus spines. 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

12696098

Media ID

47670182

Size

4350px x 3210px (2.4MB)

Credit

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