Third. Additional proof to the same effect I think is also to be derived from a symbolical figure in the Manuscript itself The most notable figure in the upper compartment of Plate XXIII (our Plate IV) is the blue one in the upper left-hand corner on a black background surrounded by a white border, the latter crossed by dotted rays, each ray terminating with a little ring; a dagger is piercing the eye of the blue sitting figure. If we count these clubbed rays we shall find there are twenty-three of them, but exactly where the dagger crosses the border there is room for one more According to my interpretation the whole of this figure taken together is a symbol of the Katun or Ahau, the inner blue figure probably denoting the year.[1] If I am correct in this interpretation, then we have here positive evidence that Perez was right in holding that the Ahau consisted of twenty-four years. The whole figure is therefore intended to indicate the close of an Ahau;—when one more year has expired the light of another Ahau will be forever extinguished and the new one will begin its course.
We find, as I think, something similar to this method of marking the missing year on Plates 75 and 7g of the Borgian Codex. These two plates, which are evidently parts of one picture, 76 being the upper and 75 the lower part, are symbolic representations of periods of time. The figures around the central circle of 76 are probably intended to represent the marching years. There are only twelve of them, but in the pathway at the bottom we see the footsteps of one that has passed on. At the four corners outside the circle we see the four "year-bearers."[2]
On Plate 75 the chief figure is that of Kingsborough's supposed crucified Quetzalcoatl; on the body is a large sun or circular disk with seven points, but in the lower margin, where there is the proper space for another, the circle is pierced by the obsidian knife of the priest who holds the withdrawn heart in his hand. Around the figure are similar but smaller disks; counting these we find there are eight, the exact number of points required to complete the central disk, and the number of periods (Indications) in an age. Possibly other periods are intended, as I have not studied the Mexican Calendar with sufficient care to express any decided opinion on this point;
- ↑ Fortunately, the correctness of this supposition, which I mentioned in an article in the American Naturalist for August, 1881, has since been verified by Dr. D. G. Brinton—"The Books of Chilan Balam," p. 15.
- ↑ Not those usually given, but those evidently used for this purpose in this and other codices.
