tlacalhuazcuahuitl (FCbk11f115r)

This iconographic example, featuring an elderberry tree (tlacalhuazcuahuitl), is included in this digital collection for the purpose of making comparisons with related hieroglyphs. The term selected for this example comes from the text near the image in the Digital Florentine Codex. There is no gloss, per se. This example shows a small tree (cuahuitl) with four branches and large green leaves. To the right of the tree is a horizontal tobacco pipe (tlacalhuaztli) with a round hole for the mouth at the right end, and a larger opening at the left end. The pipe is yellowish, which suggests it is made of wood (from the nearby tree). Near the larger end of the pipe is a white band upon which a black design is drawn or painted. The tree stands in a landscape setting. This setting, along with the shading that provides a three-dimensionality to the scene, reveal European artistic influence.