Cuachquetzaloyan (Mdz30r)

Footprint glyphs have a wide range of translations. In this collection, so far, we can attest to yauh, xo, pano, -pan, paina, temo, nemi, quetza, otli, iyaquic hualiloti, huallauh, tetepotztoca, totoco, -tihui, and the vowel "o." Other research (Herrera et al, 2005, 64) points to additional terms, including: choloa, tlaloa, totoyoa, eco, aci, quiza, maxalihui, centlacxitl, and xocpalli.

The -lo- (impersonal) and the -yan (locative suffix, which attaches to verbs and indicates customary action) both point to a verb at the heart of this place name. Besides to stand or stand something up, quetza can mean to raise or erect. Frances Karttunen sees "cuach" are referring to a large cotton sheet, and she interprets "quetzalo" as "to raise something up" or "to stand something up." For her, furthermore, the "yan" adds that this is the place where cotton gets raised up customarily.

Berdan and Anawalt explored the verb quequeza, to tread on, and the noun quetzalli, something precious. They add quetzalo, as "the act of making something precious." But they do not choose those elements in their translation, which they see at the place where fine cotton mantas (blankets, capes) are made.

Perhaps this verb is meant to serve as a phonetic indicator for quetzalli (quetzal birds or feathers), which may have been employed to beautify the fabric. And perhaps this special fabric is known as coming from this town.