Tovar Codex, Huitzil gihuitl, 2nd Tlatoani, Aztec Ruler

HuitzilCgihuitl, holding a spear or scepter, standing on a reed mat and next to a basket-work throne. Above him is a hummingbird. The designs on his sandals are associated with the god Quetzalcoatl and with his Toltec ancestors. Huitzilihuitl (reign 1396-1417) was the second tlatoani of Tenochtitlan. He founded the Royal Council or Tlatocan and established four permanent electors to advise the new king, in his inexperience, at the beginning of each reign. During his reign, the weaving industry grew. It provided cotton cloth not only for Tenochtitlan, but also for Azcapotzalco and Cuerhavaca. 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

12696093

Media ID

47670147

Size

4275px x 3280px (2.5MB)

Credit

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