cacaxtli (TR41v)

cacaxtli (TR41v)
Iconography

Glyph or Iconographic Image Description: 

This colorful example of iconography shows a carrying frame, which we are identifying as a cacaxtli, based on other examples. It is upright, something like a ladder with four steps. A woven tumpline hangs down, tied to the second rung from the bottom. What appears to be a rolled petate with a red tie at the top seems to be attached to the frame.

Description, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Added Analysis: 

Note the cacaxtli glyphs below, as well as the huacalli and the ecahuaztli (ladder) as points for comparison. The iconographic example of the verb tlamama (to carry something) shows a man carrying something using what may be a cacaxtli frame on his back. The tumpline runs across his forehead.

Added Analysis, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Source Manuscript: 
Telleriano-Remensis, Codex (TR)
Date of Manuscript: 

ca. 1550–1563

Creator's Location (and place coverage): 

Mexico City

Syntax: 
noun(s)
Cultural Content & Iconography: 
Rope, cord
Technology (all types), plus Tools
Transportation, Travel, Roads
Wood, wooden things
Cultural Content, Credit: 

Jeff Haskett-Wood

Colors: 
black
brown
pink
yellow or golden
Shapes and Perspectives: 
tied, bound, or bundled
vertical, upright
woven
Keywords: 

madera, transporte, transportador, estructura para llevar cosas en la espalda, cacax

Glyph or Iconographic Image: 
Relevant Nahuatl Dictionary Word(s): 

cacax(tli), carrying frame, https://nahuatl.wired-humanities.org/content/cacaxtli

Glyph/Icon Name, Spanish Translation: 

escalerillas de tablas para llevar algo acuestas

Spanish Translation, Credit: 

Alonso de Molina

Image Source: 

Telleriano-Remensis Codex, folio 41 recto, MS Mexicain 385, Gallica digital collection, https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8458267s/f108.item.zoom

Image Source, Rights: 

The non-commercial reuse of images from the Bibliothèque nationale de France is free as long as the user is in compliance with the legislation in force and provides the citation: “Source gallica.bnf.fr / Bibliothèque nationale de France” or “Source gallica.bnf.fr / BnF.”

See Also: 

cacaxtli (Mdz42r)

Cacax (MH501r)

huacalli (MH487v)

Ecahuaz (MH558v)

tlamama (TR41v)