tepoztli (MH500r)

tepoztli (MH500r)
Simplex Glyph

Glyph or Iconographic Image Description: 

This simplex glyph shows an autonomous-era style ax or hatchet whose name is shared with the word for metal or copper (tepoztli). This one is a sign that refers to an occupation (perhaps axe-maker, or perhaps one who uses axes in cutting wood or carving stone?). This axe is upright, shown in profile, facing toward the viewer's right. It has a curving (probably wooden) handle. The blade (possibly still made from copper) is triangular and attached to the handle with a (probably leather) strap.

Description, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Added Analysis: 

Examples below show axes being used to chip wood, to chop wood (ocotl) and to carve stone columns.

Date of Manuscript: 

1560

Creator's Location (and place coverage): 

Huejotzingo, Puebla, Mexico

Syntax: 
Cultural Content, Credit: 

Jeff Haskett-Wood and Stephanie Wood

Keywords: 

axes, hatchets, hachas, metales, cobre, herramientas, tools

Glyph or Iconographic Image: 
Relevant Nahuatl Dictionary Word(s): 
Glyph/Icon Name, Spanish Translation: 

el hacha

Spanish Translation, Credit: 

Stephanie Wood

Image Source: 

Matrícula de Huexotzinco, folio 500r, World Digital Library, https://www.loc.gov/resource/gdcwdl.wdl_15282/?sp=79&st=image

Image Source, Rights: 

This manuscript is hosted by the Library of Congress and the World Digital Library; used here with the Creative Commons, “Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License” (CC-BY-NC-SAq 3.0).