Tovar Codex, Quecholli, 14th Month Aztec Calendar

A man, holding a double bag and a spear, wearing a headdress with white feathers and a bone through his nose. The text describes this month as meaning either a bird of rich plumage or a war lance and explains that it was a time for going to war. Identified as November, the month is called Quecholli (Precious Feather, or Plume, and in some sources War Lance). It was dedicated to Mixcoatl-Camaxtli, the Chichimec hunting god. The headdress represents hunting; the bone nose ornament is an attribute of Mixcoatl. 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

12696120

Media ID

47670687

Size

3258px x 4275px (2.0MB)

Credit

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