Tovar Codex, Tititl, 17th Month Aztec Calendar

Man wearing a double necklace of blue beads with gold bells balancing an upright rope with the figure eight at its end. Above his head is a man pouring water from a vessel. This month, identified as January, is called Stretching. Only Tovar, among known commentators on the Aztec calendar, describes this month as being the symbol of a dynamic cosmos. This month is often identified with the rites of weavers, whose patron goddess was Ilamatecuhtli. 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

12696123

Media ID

47670739

Size

3195px x 4200px (1.9MB)

Credit

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