matlactli omei (CQ)

matlactli omei (CQ)
Notation

Glyph or Iconographic Image Description: 

This notation for the number thirteen (matlactli omei) involves groupings of circles that serve as counters (ones), and they are painted in alternating colors of yellow, red, and white. The groupings are one vertical group of five (on the left), one horizontal group of five (across the top), and one vertical group of three (on the right). The groups are arranged at right angles.

Description, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Added Analysis: 

The groupings (5 + 5 + 3) add up to 13, which is why we named this notation matlactli omei. The groupings tell us something about the historical formation of numbers and their association with fingers and toes, given that each hand would be five. The way the two groups of five run together could obscure the reading of 5 + 5, as the left-hand vertical string almost looks like six. The three is set apart, so that, in the end, one could say the equation is 10 + 3. The words for this number translate this way, too, breaking down as matlactli (ten) om- (plus) -ei (three)

The color pattern of the ones or counters is worth further study. Yellow, red, and white are the three most common colors for notations of counters, but the reading order remains ambiguous. These colors, incidentally, coincide with colors of maize and of cardinal directions.

Added Analysis, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Source Manuscript: 
Quetzalecatzin, Codex (CQ)
Date of Manuscript: 

covers ruling men and women of Tecamachalco through 1593

Creator's Location (and place coverage): 

southern Puebla state

Semantic Categories: 
numbers
Syntax: 
ligature -om-/-on- (visual)
noun(s)
ten as two fives (notation)
Cultural Content & Iconography: 
Numbers, Math
Cultural Content, Credit: 

Randall Rodríguez

Colors: 
red
white/neutral
yellow or golden
Shapes and Perspectives: 
circle(s) (small, often concentric)
half circle
right angle(s)
Other Cultural Influences: 
Mixtec
Keywords: 

thirteen, trece, numbers, números, ten, diez, three, tres

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

matlactl omei, thirteen, https://nahuatl.wired-humanities.org/content/matlactli-omei

Glyph/Icon Name, Spanish Translation: 

trece

Spanish Translation, Credit: 

Randall Rodríguez

Image Source: 

The Codex Quetzalecatzin, aka Mapa de Ecatepec-Huitziltepec, Codex Ehecatepec-Huitziltepec, or Charles Ratton Codex. Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017590521/

Image Source, Rights: 

The Library of Congress, current custodian of this pictorial Mexican manuscript, hosts a digital version online. It is not copyright protected.

Historical Contextualizing Image: 
See Also: 

Matlactli Omei Mazatl (CQ)