Tovar Codex, Quahuitlehua, 1st Month Aztec Calendar

A banner of red and white stripes on a red mast, adorned with a crest of many colored feathers, with bundles of corn and fruits, and a square with two fish. This month is identified as February and is called Quahuitlehua (Raising of the Trees, or Ceasing of the Waters). It was also known as Atlcahualo, Atlcualo, Xilomaniztli, Cohuailhuitl, Atlmotzacuaya, or Xochzitzquilo. This month was dedicated to Tlaloc, the god of rain, to whom children were sacrificed by drowning, although the commentary here does not mention this ritual. 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

12696107

Media ID

47670311

Size

3214px x 4350px (2.0MB)

Credit

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