ecahuaztli (TR42v)

ecahuaztli (TR42v)
Iconography

Glyph or Iconographic Image Description: 

This example of iconography of a frontal view of a ladder (ecahuaztli) is getting its name as we translate from the Spanish gloss, escaleras. The steps consist of a wooden structure with two vertical poles and four horizontal ones at right angles with the vertical poles. All the pieces are tied at the intersections with cordage or rope. A man--in a 3/4 view, facing toward the viewer's left--is apparently in the act of climbing the stairs, with one foot on a rung and the other in the air.

Description, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Added Analysis: 

We are not counting the colors of the man on the ladder. The focus here is the ladder only.

Added Analysis, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Gloss Image: 
Gloss Diplomatic Transcription: 

escaleras

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

1578

Creator's Location (and place coverage): 

Huejotzingo, Puebla, Mexico

Syntax: 
noun(s)
visible movement
Cultural Content & Iconography: 
Anatomy, human body parts
Movement
Rope, cord
Technology (all types), plus Tools
Wood, wooden things
Cultural Content, Credit: 

Jeff Haskett-Wood

Colors: 
orange/terracotta
white/neutral
Shapes and Perspectives: 
horizontal
frontal view
tied, bound, or bundled
vertical, upright
Keywords: 

ladders, escaleras de madera

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

ecahuaz(tli), a wooden ladder used to reach something, https://nahuatl.wired-humanities.org/content/ecahuaztli

Glyph/Icon Name, Spanish Translation: 

las escaleras

Image Source: 

The Codex Telleriano-Remensis is hosted on line by the Bibliothèque nationale de France.
https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8458267s/f110.item. We have taken this detail shot from folio 42 verso.

Image Source, Rights: 

This manuscript is not copyright protected, but please cite Gallica, the digital library of the Bibliothèque nationale de France or cite this Visual Lexicon of Aztec Hieroglyphs, ed. Stephanie Wood (Eugene, Ore.: Wired Humanities Projects, 2020–present).

Historical Contextualizing Image: