Tovar Codex, Hueymiccaihuitl, 10th Month Aztec Calendar

Two boys climbing a pole. At the top of the pole are a shield with white feathers, spears, banners on serrated poles (from cacti), two xocoxochitl flowers, and two bifurcated teocuitlanacochtli. Above the pole are the head of a long-billed bird with a seed in its mouth, a loaf studded with nuts and resembling a starry night, an ear of corn, and a trapezoidal object. This month is called Hueymiccaihuitl (or Xocotlhuetzi Fall of Fruit or Great Feast of the Dead). It was commemorated by a ceremonial pole-climbing competition. The month was dedicated to Xocotl, the Aztec god of fire and the stars (also called Otontecuhtli, and whose cult was especially developed among the Tepanec tribes). Teocuitlanacochtli also were associated with worship of the god Xipe TCutec. 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

12696116

Media ID

47670585

Size

3206px x 4350px (2.1MB)

Credit

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