olin (CQ)

olin (CQ)
Simplex Glyph

Glyph or Iconographic Image Description: 

This simplex glyph for movement (olin) is a black line drawing of something that looks like a butterfly, with a central axis, pointed at the top, blunt at the bottom, and a circle in the middle. On either side of the axis are what look like wings that curve outward, away from the central axis. The result is something like a quincunx and may point to the cardinal directions plus a center. This simplex has been separated from the notation for the number 10; combined, they represented a name glyph. Olin is a day sign, and the numerical coefficient refers to a specific date in the calendar. The name 10-Olin belongs to an elite male who appears in the Codex Quetzalecatzin, as shown in the historical contextualizing image below.

Description, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Added Analysis: 

Olin was a day name in the 260-day divinatory calendar called the tonalpohualli in Nahuatl. This calendar had a role in various Mesoamerican religions, including the Mixtec.

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: 
calendrics
day name
Syntax: 
noun(s)
Writing Features: 
simplex or element as logogram
Cultural Content & Iconography: 
Cardinal Directions, Cosmos
Movement
Religion (Indigenous)
Time, Calendar, Frequency
Colors: 
black & white drawing (no color)
Shapes and Perspectives: 
circle(s) (small, often concentric)
pointed (see also spiky)
quincunx or quatrefoil
Other Cultural Influences: 
Mixtec
Keywords: 

earthquakes, temblores, movement, movimiento

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

ol(in), movement, earthquake, https://nahuatl.wired-humanities.org/content/olin

Glyph/Icon Name, Spanish Translation: 

el movimiento, un signo calendárico

Spanish Translation, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

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 Olin (CQ)

olin (Mdz40r)