Mahuiz (Verg42v)

Mahuiz (Verg42v)
Compound Glyph

Glyph or Iconographic Image Description: 

This black-line drawing of the compound glyph for the personal name Mahuiz ("Person Worthy of Respect or Fear") is attested here as a man's name. The compound has three elements, all phonetic. It begins at the bottom with a hand (maitl), which provides the phonetic syllable at the start to the name, Ma-. It continues with a horizontal agricultural tool, the huictli, which provides the phonetic syllable -hui-. Finally, the third syllable is -huiz-, from a vertical thorn or spine (huitztli). The -hui- and -huiz- overlap, and the huictli is not really necessary, but it complements.

Description, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Added Analysis: 

Other examples of this name, Mahuiz, appear on folios 38 verso and 49 verso. In addition to fear and respect, mahuiz- can also imply a sense of marvel.

Added Analysis, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Gloss or Text Image: 
Gloss/Text Diplomatic Transcription: 

mīn. mahuiz.

Gloss/Text Normalization: 

Martín Mahuiz

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: 
line connecting elements
noun(s)
syllable: hui (from huictli, digging stick)
syllable: huiz/huitz (from huitztli, thorn)
syllable: ma/man/mani (from maitl, hand)
Writing Features: 
compound fully phonographic
Cultural Content & Iconography: 
Anatomy, human body parts
Gender (male)
Names (personal and/or theonym)
Plants, Flora
Technology (all types), plus Tools
Cultural Content, Credit: 

Jeff Haskett-Wood

Colors: 
black & white drawing (no color)
Shapes and Perspectives: 
horizontal
vertical, upright
Parts (compounds or simplex + notation): 
3
Reading Order (Compounds or Simplex + Notation): 
upward
Keywords: 

miedo, respecto, asombro, temer, respetar, maravillarse, mano, manos, espina, espinas, coa, coas, nombres de hombres, men’s names, fonetismo

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

mahuiz(tli), fear or respect, https://nahuatl.wired-humanities.org/content/mahuiztli

Glyph/Icon Name, Spanish Translation: 

Alguien Respetado, o Temido

Spanish Translation, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Image Source: 

Available at Codex Vergara, folio 42v, https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b84528032/f92.item.zoom, accessed 25 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: 
intrusive period
Historical Contextualizing Image: 
See Also: 

Mahuiz (Verg38v)

Mahuiztli (MH615v)

mahuiztli (FCbk12f29r)