death symbol. This god we know was a companion of, or, rather, accompanied by, Tlaloc, whose figure we see by turning to the adjoining Plate XXIV. But here, instead of being in his favorite blue, we see him clothed in black and bearing on his arm the shield that forms one of the tokens of the war god. On this we see the symbol for Ik, "breath" or "wind," twice given, betokening the storm and the whirlwind. In his right hand the spear-hurler, or, as here used, the lightning symbol, while in front of him is the Uayeyab idol or figure representing the year, upon whose head the torrents are descending, and upon whom the angry Tlaloc appears to be venting his wrath. If a supposition, hereafter more fully explained, that this figure represents Zamna, or corn, prove correct, the signification of what is here shown is at once clear.
Above the head of the god, sailing through the air, is a batrachian, or frog-like animal, a symbol of abundant water.
The large character in the middle, which has the inner space blank, was doubtless intentionally left so. I am unable to guess its meaning, unless it be a time symbol of some kind. The transverse line of partially obliterated characters at the top are similar to those found in the middle transverse line on Plates XX-XXIII, which probably have the same signification here as there.
As before remarked. Plates XXVI and XXVII appear to belong together, and to refer to the milder and beneficial rains.
In the upper division of the former we see Tlaloc, accompanied by his four Chacs, the latter without any marks of distinction, as here the intention appears to be to represent them as rain-givers only. The former is shown here in his usual blue color, but the scorpion-like caudal appendage is uncommon, and, taken in connection with the plate on the loins to which it is attached, is, as I believe, a time symbol of some kind. We notice that the claw at the tip appears to clasp the single red numeral character surrounded by dots. In this space we also observe the symbols of the four cardinal points, one by each Chac.[1]
- ↑ I have been in considerable doubt as to whether these minor deities are Chacs or Bacabs, as there appears to be much confusion in the writings of the old authors in reference to them; but have decided to apply the name Chacs to those which appear to be related to the rain gods. I think it probable that the two terms apply to the same deities.
