Icnotl (Verg40r)

Icnotl (Verg40r)
Compound Glyph

Glyph or Iconographic Image Description: 

This compound Nahuatl hieroglyph is a black-line drawing of the personal name Icnotl (“Orphan” or “Someone Poor, Humble, Worthy of Compassion and Aid). It is attested here as a man’s name. The compound shows what seems to be a nude man, sitting down, facing right. He has tears on his cheeks. His tears and nudity may suggest some vulnerability, which could be a semantic fit with the name Icnotl. Out of his mouth emerges a small stream of water (atl). The meaning or purpose of this water is to call to mind the verb i, to drink. This serves as a phonetic syllable for the start of the name, I-.

Description, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Added Analysis: 

The name Icnotl is well attested in this digital collection. It is often represented by the face of a man with tears. In another example, a figure of what may be an unclothed baby appears. Another similar–and also popular–name is Icnonemitl. An Advanced Search that asks for glyph names containing “icno” will return at least two dozen examples.

Added Analysis, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Gloss or Text Image: 
Gloss/Text Diplomatic Transcription: 

anto. ycnotl.

Gloss/Text Normalization: 

Antonio Icnotl

Gloss/Text Analysis, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Source Manuscript: 
Vergara, Codex (Verg)
Date of Manuscript: 

1539

Creator's Location (and place coverage): 

near Tepetlaoztoc, near Tetzcoco

Semantic Categories: 
personal name
phonetic dimensions
Syntax: 
noun(s)
syllable: i (from the verb to drink)
Writing Features: 
compound of phonogram(s) & logogram(s)
Cultural Content & Iconography: 
Aging (People, Animals, Things)
Emotions
Gender (male)
Names (personal and/or theonym)
Nudity
Water
Cultural Content, Credit: 

Jeff Haskett-Wood

Colors: 
black & white drawing (no color)
Shapes and Perspectives: 
facing right
profile view
Parts (compounds or simplex + notation): 
2
Reading Order (Compounds or Simplex + Notation): 
undetermined as yet
Keywords: 

nombres de hombres, men’s names, desnudo, desnudez, triste, lágrimas, humilde, merecedor de ayuda y compasión

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

icno(tl), orphan, someone or something poor, humble, worthy of compassion and aid, https://nahuatl.wired-humanities.org/content/icnotl

Glyph/Icon Name, Spanish Translation: 

Huérfano, o Pobre

Spanish Translation, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Image Source: 

Available at Codex Vergara, folio 40r, https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b84528032/f87.item.zoom, accessed 10 March 2026 The Vergara is associated with Tepetlaoztoc, in the larger region of Tetzcoco, c. 1539–1543. “Source gallica.bnf.fr / BnF.” We would also appreciate a citation to the Visual Lexicon of Aztec Hieroglyphs, https://aztecglyphs.wired-humanities.org/.

Image Source, Rights: 

Image 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.” We would also appreciate a citation to the Visual Lexicon of Aztec Hieroglyphs, https://aztecglyphs.wired-humanities.org/

Orthography: 
"y" for i
intrusive period
Historical Contextualizing Image: 
See Also: 

Icnotl (MH541v)

Icnotl (MH483v)

Icnomachoc (MH615v)

Icnonemitl (MH503v)