cimatl (FCbk10f20r)

This iconographic example, featuring an edible root that also has a medicinal value (cimatl, sometimes spelled cimatli), is included in this digital collection for the purpose of making comparisons with related hieroglyphs. The term selected for this example comes from comparing the image from the Digital Florentine Codex with a term in the Online Nahuatl Dictionary. There is no keyword, gloss, or any relevant terminology in the text on the same folio as the image. Thus, the level of certainty behind the title for this example is less than 100%. The example shows two plants with green leaves and large, brown, tuberous roots. While these plant materials might not be cimatl, they are shown in the context of discussing physicians and their remedies. A man’s finger points to the roots. He may be a healer. Pointing suggests some authority on his part; it may also intend to direct our attention more to the root than the leaves.