Tovar Codex, Teotleco, 12th Month Aztec Calendar

A boy ascending a pyramid, wearing a blue necklace with gold pendants and an elaborate headdress. His footprints can be seen on the steps. Above the boy's head is a scorpion. This month, identified as October with the astrological symbol of Scorpio, is called Teotleco or Pachtontli (Return of the Gods). The month was dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, the god of the sun and war, or Tezcatlipoca (Smoking Mirror), the god of the night sky and memory. The hairstyle of the boy recalls the crowns of the nobility. 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

12696118

Media ID

47670675

Size

3228px x 4350px (2.0MB)

Credit

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