eltetequi (FCbk12f10v)

This iconographic example, featuring a black and white sketch of someone lying on his back with his chest cut open (involving the verb eltequi or eltetequi, in the reduplicative), is included in this digital collection for the purpose of making comparisons with related hieroglyphs. The term selected for this example comes from the text near the image in the Digital Florentine Codex. There is no gloss, per se. This example shows Motecuhzoma sitting on a high-backed, woven throne (what is usually called an icpalli), in profile, facing toward the viewer’s right. He is wearing a cloak tied on his shoulder and a diadem. Hatching and lines of shading provide the fabric with a three-dimensionality, a European artistic trait learned by the tlacuilos. He is pointing a finger (mapilhuia) and gesturing, ordering what is to happen. In front of him, a man is stretched out on a mat, while others hold his hands and feet. His chest has been cut open, and some blood has been extracted and thrown onto the messengers who had met with the Spanish invaders in the gulf harbor. This was done because their description of the meeting there and the threat posed was highly worrisome for Motecuhzoma. The man sprinkling the blood has something in his mouth, perhaps a cigar. A flint knife was the usual tool for cutting open chests. There is something dark at the site of the wound, but it does not appear to be a flint knife.