Tovar Codex, Tozoztontli, 3rd Month Aztec Calendar

A bird with yellow feathers is shown stabbed with a bone tool. Also depicted are a bull and the moon, as well as a symbol with many leaves. Tozoztontli is the name of the third month of the Aztec calendar. It means Little Perforation. This month, identified as April with the astrological symbol of a bull. It is also a festival in the Aztec religion, the deities are Centeotl, Tlaloque, Chicomecoatl and Coatlicue. It marks the end of the dry season. It is the season of bird sacrifices and is called The Little Vigil. 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

12696109

Media ID

47670356

Size

3177px x 4350px (1.9MB)

Credit

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